Becoming a LAME

[SB4200]

I'm currently a GA pilot with 1500 hrs odd looking to further myself by gaining a LAME qualification. I know very little about this side of the operation and am interested to find out what the process is. What are the steps involved to gain a recognised qualification (GA airframe and engine initially)?

Flying is my #1 passion and I often find myself waiting for the return trip home, time I'd rather use productively. Therfore distance learning and a course that I can tackle at my own pace is needed. Obviously the time spent in the hangar can not be done over the phone/internet etc...

Thanks in advance.

[scrambler]

I am not a LAME, but as I understand it it is a trade, like a builder electrician plumber etc and would require an apprenticeship.
I believe that the MONETARY REWARDS are GREAT once you have completed the apprenticeship. Oh and you will get PAID overtime and AWARD OR ABOVE wages. Some companies would like the fact that you have a CPL and you may be able to do post maintenance check flights and flights to do work in remote locations.
Come to think of it why would anyone become a LAME :rolleyes:

[Whiskey Oscar Golf]

It's an Apprenticship then some very funky, costly exams. Try one of the larger mobs like NJS they sometimes put on adults with sort of decent wages. Maybe look remote and get some hours at the same time. There are plenty of LAME pilots in WA so you won't be alone. Good luck.

[SCE to Aux]

Like you, as a charter pilot and instructor I used to spend a lot of time at the airport between flights. A friend had a maintenance business and I'd pass the time working in the hangar (and being paid as well) while I hung around waiting for the next student/passenger.
With four years of this practical experience, and completing all the required tasks in the CASA shedules of experience (okay it was still the CAA back then), all that needed to be done to get a LAME licence was to pass the exams. If my memory is correct there are about ten multiple choice exams needed for a basic licence with group 1 engines and group 1 airframes. I self studied for the exams. I'm pretty sure you can still go down this path, that is, you don't need to do an apprentiship to be a LAME.
Gaining a LAME licence via this path is not for everyone. I was very fortunate to be able to easily pass the exams with self study only. I was able to build flying hours and have a well paid, on airport job at the same time. Having both pilot and AME qualifications certainly has helped my career and it also makes owning my own aircraft (that I have on line with a flying school) quite profitable because I'm able to do a lot of the maintenance myself.

[Trash Hauler]

The link below provides the options you have to work toward a LAME licence. You need 4 years working on aircraft before you can get a licence thus a lot start with an apprenticeship. I have worked with a few guys who worked in the hangar completing an SOE and did their own study to pass the exams. As the link shows this is still a valid approach.

http://www.casa.gov.au/ame/guide/require.htm

Cheers

TH

[bushy]

The industry needs LAME pilots, and I commend your ambition. Like your pilots licence it will take work, and determination over a substantial period of time. It is an honourable profession.
I wish you well.

[Nasi Lemak]

You could contact Rod Warnock at Midland (Swan) TAFE. He'd be able to give you the info you require on external/distance study. The LAME training system is transitioning to competency based training rather than the traditional CASA Basics - the new system may suit your needs better.

[tinpis]

Be very handy should you want to start your own business

[Paper Planes]

Does anyone know what award a LAME comes under and when this proposed change to 3 years training comes in from CASA? If you are a pilot who has made the shift to becoming a LAME was it worth it?

[havick]

The change over I have been told by casa should happen within the next 2 years.. BUt they have been saying that for a while now.

Luckily I still fall under the old system (finishing my last written exam this Saturday actually) and can apply for my licence within the next 10 - 12 months..

I am a pilot / mechanic(half bake at the moment) but I fly helicopters not stiff wing.. I have just got a gig flying off boats touring overseas where it is very lucritive to have both tickets. As soon as I get my LAME ticket my pay DOUBLES overnight..

[Mr.Buzzy]

SB4200,
I went down a similar path to your description with the exception of completing a trade (engine/airframe) with a dozen odd CAA basic exams before going to chase flying work.
I admire the fact that you and so many others hold our AME/LAME friends in such high regard. Bushy is spot on when he says that it is an honourable profession. So many good people put so much good work into having your machine ready to fly in the morning!
My only little piece of advice to you would be to consider how much work and determination was required of you to make a good pilot and to remember that the same will be required to make you a good AME/LAME. A trade qualification is not just a piece of paper you stick into your CV and talk about at airline pilot interviews. It will require you to immerse yourself in the maintenance environment in order to learn many of the judgement and legal aspects that are part of the job. As you know, there's a whole lot more to being a good AME/LAME than knowing how to use shiny tools.
Perhaps you could consider full time maintenance and only occasional flying. Or maybe you are only seeking an insight into aircraft maintenance without much regard for qualification, in which case spending the odd day here and there in a variety of maintenance facilities could suit you?
Best of luck to you. PM if you'd like more info.
kind regards
Buzzy

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[sprocket check]

I for one am exceedingly interested in becoming a LAME. Currently progressing well towards CPL, as I can whenever I can. Not interested in airlines, there's plenty younger ones for that.

I am not in the easiest situation but I work very hard and am able to spend some days in the hangar. Mechanically minded and good with tools and systems. I am a professional, on my own for 15 years, a major part of my skill is fault finding. Equally at home with engines and avionics. Can use a torque wrench as well as an oscilloscope.

Would anyone know of a possibility of a part time/casual situation in BK or surrounds where I could get enough experience/opportunity to satisfy SOE requirements? If not BK somewhere else?

Cheers
sc

[havick]

I would give CLARC at CASA a call and ask for someone in Engineering licencing and find out what the deal is with the new system coming in, and if in fact you can still just sit the 10 + exams (depending on what ticket you want) and build up your SOE and if it can still be done under the old system..

I'm not too sure how they are doing the whole B1/B2 licence thing now.. Time will tell I guess..

[bush mechanics]

As long as you have sat and passed one LAME exam,when the changes come you can still carry on thru the current system.
Havic,all engineering exams except Weight and Balance exams are multipul choice.Not written!
Personaly I did some subjects self study and the rest i payed my own way thru Parafield TAFE.
Some companys actualy require that you have Trade Papers to go with your LAME Licence.
I also hold a CPL and must admit Ive got the best of both worlds,during summer,I ground my self and stay in the hangar,No Bumps!!
Im always looking for keen helpers.Heaps of C210s to play with
PM me if intrested

[havick]

Bushy, yes multi choice, but they are paper exams (not the computer ones - i think that's what I was getting at)

[mechchick]

As a fully qualified Airline trained Aircraft Maintenance Engineer - Engines and Airframes (I went to University to get a degree instead of going down the LAME route) I think that in todays (after dealing and training many apprentices and adult trainees alike) world you will require more than just 4 years hands on without any sort of formal training before you can actually become licenced.

As all Aircraft trade training is now done under the National Aerospace Curriculum and also requires you to have a completed NAC Journal - a formal document that you keep all your work history in, which also has requirements related to the types of work you do, the systems you are required to gain experience in - with minimum hours on each system. This SOE (if you like) is required to be signed off by an approved AAA assesor, and you are also assesed along the way. This is a very basic explanation of the hands on training that goes towards obtaining your Certificate IV in Aeroskills (old school it was an AME).

You are also required to study the theory/tradeschool component, and these courses can be done through places like Aviation Australia, where you dont need to be employed initially, but you do study 12 months full time theory and then if successful they will help place you into employment to gain your hands on experience. We have had many apprentices through these guys and some of them are adult or mature age people.

Gone are the old days of just getting some basic hands on and passing a few exams, and I think you will need to scour the CASA site a bit better for the correct information, but I do know that you will require a formal Certificate IV in Aeroskills before you can become a LAME now, as I wouldnt employ anyone without one.

I was one of the last groups of apprentices (1993) that actually got trained the 'old-fashioned' way with block release trade school and hands-on on the job training - CASA and the ALAEA want the industry (understandably) a lot more professional, therefore weeding out the cowboys that are out there.

[MACH082]

the schedule of exp is still available. Go down to a Pilot supply store, buy the log books, and everytime you change a plug drop oil, change an engine etc etc, it gets entered into your SOE and signed by the LAME. Know a few guys that did this as when you are up North and out of flying hours, you work in the hanger. You may aswell have all the mundane tasks you do signed off and recognised! I actually enjoy plugging away at the tools, makes me a better pilot when i know what is going on under the cowls and also makes me able to diagnose a problem and possibly correct or explain to a LAME the problem and get a solution if im bush.

[bush mechanics]

Mechchick,
So never Licenced
Not confident to sign out yours and others work?
Personaly alot of GA company tend to shy away from Airline trained LAMEs as they have a lot of trouble makeing decisions and fitting in to the GA envoirenment.
Their are a lot of Lames out their who struggled thru trade school but excelled on the job.
The current envoirenment dosnt leave the employer the luxury to employ only LAMEs who have had formal trade training.
I did half of my CASA exams self study and the others at a Trade school.The latter was easy as you are spoon fed the info.Working fulltime and self study is no walk in the park.
Do you worlk for "The TANK",The same school that set up a sub standard Trade school in Darwin?Rented a office space from CASA,And now useing a classroom at a local High School!!and call it a training facility!!!
I lobyed the NT government to send our apprenties! to Adelaide TAFE,Where they have a dedicated training facility with workshops and training Aids.Our apprenties are very happy now.
The new system is a joke and everyone who works in the real world cant get and answer from anyone about how it all works.Another change for the beter!!!!apparently.
Soo before you start flapping your gums about LAMEs who havent been to trade school are sub standard put your pen away and go get your hands dirty in GA and put your name to a 30year old aeroplane.

[Mr.Buzzy]

Bush mechanics,
What a load of horses#$t.
Readin' and Ritin' not ya strong points hey? No worries mate, it don matter in da bush hey?

Personaly alot of GA company tend to shy away from Airline trained LAMEs as they have a lot of trouble makeing decisions and fitting in to the GA envoirenment

Well being an airline trained Mech. I have to say that I was never "shyed" away from in GA, quite the opposite in fact. Both sides have differences; neither more difficult, just different.

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[SB4200]

G'day Mr.Buzzy

My only little piece of advice to you would be to consider how much work and determination was required of you to make a good pilot and to remember that the same will be required to make you a good AME/LAME.

This seems like pretty sound advice which means, unfortunately, it's probably not feasible for me at present. Obviously not something to do half-arsed.

Perhaps things will open up in the future.

Cheers

[bush mechanics]

MR BUZZZYY!
Mate what i should have said was the X airline lame ive worked with took some time to find their feet in GA.i
ie; airframe /engine lame changeing electrical components with out upsetting EI&R Lame and causing a walkout.
Eih you bin got me bloke,im bin prom da bush,i bin drinking to many green can under dat one gum tree in da riber!!!I bin only got my dirst prncil last week,from dat government bloke

[Mr.Buzzy]

Fair enough bloke,
similarly I saw plenty of GA guys take a while ot find their feet in the airlines but in the end all became great at their new jobs.:ok:

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