Motor vehicle / Aircraft Engineering.

[Lewy-]

I am studying 'Motor vehicle repair and technology' at college. At the end of the course i will be a qualified car technician. But i wondered as the course is called 'motor vehicle' should the qualification an BTEC National Diploma equivilant to 3 A-Levels be sufficeint to be employed engineering on light training aircraft, or is university the only way foward.

Cheers,

Lewis.

[whiskeyflyer]

stick to the car industry
at least they cannot off shore servicing on Ford's to the far east, you get weekends off, work in nice conditions with modern equipment and work "normal" hours

Now I must get back to work on this C check, done 30 hours and I am only half way through the week :sad: and looks like my weekend is gone too as they suddenly want an engine change :{

[Lewy-]

Ah but i dont want to be in the car industry.

[stevef]

You'll be changing your mind after a couple of years. :)

And there's very little money working with puddle-jumpers. A company on the south coast was offering £17,000 (unlicensed) recently. Licensed 'shop floor' guys don't exactly earn a respectable amount either, unless they're working on bizjets. And aero piston engines are in the Stone Age in comparison with automotive technology.

I'd quite happily exchange my A+C for a BTEC.

[Germstone]

can only back up what the guys above say.

I would be much better off financially in the motor trade than I am working on GA aircraft

[N1 Vibes]

Lewy

if you want to work on planes, then you do it! Money isn't everything, enjoying your work is. If you want to work on light a/c, then you aren't likely to be facing the pressures that the above assembled have mentioned. Everyday I get frustrated with 'idiot's' in the company I work for, we all do. But, I love doing what I'm doing. I would suggest finding your local general aviation centre and writing to a few of the companies there to see if they are willing to have a chat over a cuppa about their business. You should get good advice there.

Good luck!:)

[unstable load]

I started out as an apprentice motor mechanic with Mercedes Benz and left to work on helicopters. As a first year "appy" aircraft mech I almost doubled my wage from the auto industry, but as soon as I qualified things levelled out between me and my auto friends.
A lot of them are now service managers, workshop managers or similar while I am a line engineer with a major operator. Had I stayed working at home we would be on a par salary wise, with me slightly behind them.

It takes me 3 days each way to get to and from work and currently I am 6 timezones away from home:ugh: , but by my calculation if I had a real job and had to commute to and from the airport and with the overtime I would be expected to work:mad: , I would see far less of my small kids than the 5 months of leave I get right now.
Add to that the fact that I am tax-free on my salary and you have what I believe is a far better deal.:D :D

I know this will not be everyone's cup of tea, but I am doing something I really enjoy, in far more places than I could ever have hoped to see as a tourist.
I still work on cars (mine) and nothing frustrates me more than setting plugs, changing filters, grazed knuckles and all the associated nausea that goes with fixing cars. :ouch: :mad:

I love what I do!!! The lifestyle that goes with it is not bad too.:ok:

Merry Christmas and a peaceful festered season to you all!!

[eng123]

Lewis,

Whilst it is all true what is posted above, GA maintenance could be worth persueing, if only to use this as a vehicle (no pun intended) to getting involved in commercial aviation, where the better money can be earnt.

Having said that, don't be tempted to set your sight's too low. GA may be easier to get into but it is also worth considering some commercial airlines that may be interested in your skills. There are some that employ mechanics without any formal (aviation) qualifications to carry out the more routine tasks such as changing wheels and brakes or cabin interior maintenance. This can also be an 'in' into the industry. Once you have your foot in the door and show a good attitude, skill level and character, who knows where it will take you in time?
The money you could earn is much better in commercial airlines. I would imagine in the region of 25k for unlicenced mechanic + overtime on top. Wheels and brakes / trim would be less though.
Good luck!

[unstable load]

Lewis,

eng123 is right. You don't need to do the travelling gig like I am and it is a great industry to be in.

Go for it mate.

[big geordie]

Lewy you go for it bonny lad I am a qualified motor technician and also a full unrestricted easa b1 licensed eng and I know that I would be rather doing aeroplane work than scrabbling around cars most machanics earn about 20,000 whereas if you become a licensed eng you could earn about 50k a year. I made the switch about 16 years ago and would never go back, but it`s a lot of hard work