LAE Future?

[Chad Norman]

Hi,
After nearly 22 years as an RAF Aircraft Avionics Technician, I have had enough. I won't go into details here but I know for a fact that I am not alone in wanting to exit the Service at the earliest opportunity!

With only a few years to go before I can leave the RAF, I am looking at studying for my B2 License, as well as getting a Bsc in Aircraft Maintenance.

My question guys is, how do you (the people directly involved with the industry) see the future of the LAE?
Whilst researching on forums such as AirMech, I keep seeing reference to companies such as BA wanting to make LAE's obsolete and Licensed Engineers themselves quoting that the LAE has 'not long for this world'!

Are these opinions/ideas a mere glitch?

Any advice you can give will be much appreciated.

Chad

[Hoof-Arted]

Chad. I would go for the license if I was you, LAEs will be around for a long time to come,Im a 50 year old and can say with pretty good conviction that
there is enough work to see me to retirement. Im avionics as well and you will
find no problems getting work in civvy street, you will find your RAF experience will see you in good stead, there is a shortage of B2 people,and loads of work out there,just go to any airport and have a look at how many private jets are parked up , anyway Good luck with what ever you decide to do.:):):)

[smudgethecat]

No doubt about it ,get licensed, without it your just another mech.

[Chad Norman]

Cheers guys,
It is nice to get your thoughts on this and I must admit, so far, the majority of comments I have seen on this and other forums have been positive.
I think I will keep digging around for a short while before I make a commitment but LAE is looking more and more like the way forward.

Thanks again

Chad

[ericferret]

The predicted shortage of engineers has induced the 3 main offshore support helicopter operators in the UK (Bristow, CHC, Bond) into opening a joint apprentice training scheme.

On some of the company bases large numbers of engineers are over 50. With early retirement, sickness e.t.c the situation is unlikely to improove. Bristows is rumoured to be the worst off.

Whatever happens to the licence, qualified engineers are in short supply.

Worth noting that this business has kept me employed for 35 years, I have only been unemployed by choice. I do not see this situation changing. The major change has been in pay, a multi type rated licensed engineer with the airlines or offshore should be looking towards £50,000 with some overtime.

[Mr.Brown]

The engineer part is going nowhere. Organisations such as the ALAE (www.alae.org.uk) are working hard (and with alot of success) to make sure the Licence bit is also here for a long time..

[FHA]

Mr Norman: at least we'll be able to check your background and verify that, yes, you actually are a trained and time-served aircraft technician.

Get your B2: bearing in mind that you may have to wait a year or two before getting a type course and certifying rights.
Looking at your address: have you worked on the big stuff too? Even better!

The hardest part is the culture-shock of becoming a civvie again.
The best advice I can give is to take an active interest in what the other aero trades do and start looking outside of the demarkation lines the RAF draws up. The job of the G.E. on the Tristars etc isn't too dissimiliar to what the licenced engineer does on the line.
What amazed me is how little I knew about the role of the licenced engineer. It was as if the service didn't want me to know, so I assumed I wasn't capable. I get out here and find out there's bloody loads of us!

If you've also got time to do the degree, then fill your boots, that's another angle covered.

Good luck.:ok:

[mainwheel]

CH,

Depends on what you want to do and where you want to be.

Mainline heavy base big airline, Outstation, Cargo, Travelling engineer, GA, Commuter,Helicopters etc etc.

The best way to get experience is the dock. Heavy maintenance. The experience is a major requirement to get any, especially an initial, licence.

It may be an idea to specialise in one aircraft first. If airline is your goal then try and get A320, B737NG, B777 or the like.

With a B2 on one of these you are employable for at least 10 or 15 years.

Your airforce technical knowledge will count, however your shoeshine may not even be noticed. Respond accordingly.

[Rigga]

Chad,
I dont know what you want to do, but I must ask why you are doing studies for a B2 and an MSc?
If you want to work on aircraft get a CAT B2 Licence - and work towards a Type Rating, etc.
If you wanted to be a 'management' type get the MSc and you qualify for a CAT C Licence. You will still need the Type Rating (at least the first one in any case) but could be cleared to conduct Base Maintenance Releases within a couple of years. The opportunities are probably out there...
Maybe you should clarify the direction you want to go?

All the best, whichever way you go.
Rigga

[Chad Norman]

Again, cheers for all your replies guys.
Clarifying the degree aspect, the Part 66/Bsc is being offered through the ICAT at Barry College. It's only my personal take on things but I think doing some extra work on top of the Part 66 and gaining a Bsc in Aircraft Maintenance should open a few extra doors in the future.
The C license is also another thing to consider and having a first degree (as has already been mentioned) helps towards this, a degree fullfills the academic requirement although experience as a B1/B2 LAE is also obviously required.
From the information that has been kindly posted here, I am thinking that LAE really is the way forward for my circumstances but you know how it is, one or two articles which are negative towards the future of the LAE, start that nasty seed in the brain. So the degree might just be safety net I suppose!

Thanks again fellas :ok:

Chad

[Chad Norman]

Further to last post:

Rigga, are you sure it's an Msc that is required for a C license?

I thought it was a Bsc! Got me thinking now!

Also guys, with regards to the C License, what in your experiences has a C License holder held at the B License level. Could a C License holder be a B1 or B2 or would they need to have both?

Chad