Wanting to become an aircraft engineer

[Ryanward1]

Hi
Im currently a qualified car mechanic and wanting to move careers into aircraft engineering but am wanting advise on the best way. I have thought about waiting and applying for apprenticeships but im 21 and already had my government funding for apprenticeship, so would this put airlines off have to fund all my training? or is there a way that an airline would employ me and over time I could be a qualified aircraft engineer? The reason I want to change is I have a real passion for aircrafts and it would be my dream job working on them and learn more about how they work and fixing them! Also I live In between Manchester and Leeds Bradford airport.
Thanks

[OneSixSix]

Thanks for the post Ryan,

I was about to post something similar. I thought I would also ask a similar question in your thread (hopefully not hijack it..)

I'm working as an engineer in oil and gas field at the moment. I am looking for a part time school/course to get aircraft mechanic licences (engine/airframe). I live in Perth, Australia. Need something to do/learn in my spare time. I'm not looking to make a career of it but would like to one day be able to work light aircraft etc. Can anyone inform me of process and how plausible this is... Also are there currency requirements and so on...

[emergency000]

Ryanward: I'd suggest going to a trade school that teaches aircraft maintenance and talk to them to see if you can get Recognition of Prior Learning from your auto apprenticeship. It may or may not help, however most aviation subjects are pretty specialised.
If it's an airline you're going for and they see something in you they like, they'll take you on and pay for your training, no worries. I started my apprenticeship with guys who already had Degrees! Ultimately, if you have a real passion and the airlines are hiring, go for it! They'll be your best shot.

OneSixSix: Polytechnic West conduct aviation courses in Perth. If you've got the coin (working in gas and oil, I'm assuming you do), you'd be able to enroll with them. It's relatively easy to get a Diploma of Aeroskills, however without logging actual experience on actual aircraft, you won't really be employable to actually work on aircraft. You certainly wouldn't be able to certify for them. Without logging several hundred hours working on a multitude of systems on the aircraft, I don't know you can do much else on them. The apprenticeship system is all about equipping engineers with the basic hand skills to carry them forward. And those hand skills really only come from time spent on the tools. Without that, there's not a lot else you can do, I'm afraid.

Hope that helps both of you.
Cheers,
John

[tonkaplonka]

I served my time as an HGV mechanic. At a similar age to yourself, I moved into aviation, although my route in was through the military. I served 12 years in the RAF and I'm now a licensed helicopter engineer.
The company I work for has taken on ex car mechanics in the past and has trained them to become aircraft engineers but it doesn't happen very often. The most recent ones have started with the company as labourers, sweeping hangar floors, washing aircraft etc. I think the main thing is getting a foot in the door first.
Good luck with your career choice, I certainly do not regret it.

[Ryanward1]

thanks for the replies!
Just woundering did your experience been a mechanic help when moving into been an aircraft engineer? i've sent emails out this weekend to various company's hoping for a replies! also what would be the starting wage for someone with no experience?

[tonkaplonka]

It helped me personally, but in general, no. I joined the RAF with guys straight from school or who stacked shelves in Sainsbury. We were all in the same boat and the air force treated us accordingly. I just laughed when somebody who could get 100% in the shiny shoe competition thought a dial torque wrench was the same as a break back and carried on until the bolt sheared!!
Seriously though, you have to be prepared to be flexible, live anywhere in the country and take any job or training you can. Really, all the car mechanic training provides is an ability to take parts on and off efficiently. You do need to be academic with it as well and most apprentices I work with have got through the door because of the HND or degree in aeronautical engineering.
I got in the door because of my 12 years air force experience.

[grounded27]

Speaking from "up over" your part's changing skills are a plus. None the less the reasons you change parts "cars can be more difficult to troubleshoot" should be your asset.

Many AME/AMT's bust knuckles in our early stages then learn systems and progress to diagnostic repair of component based replacement of parts. "blue water to avionics" fix a ****ter or qualify a autopilot to land in very low visibility... This is a true AME/AMT in my case.

None the less, in my 20 years, if you are willing to bust knuckles and are eager to learn the details of what will disrupt an aircraft on a CAT IIb approach, you would be my partner/mate.

[B1-3]

Best advice would be joining the services, if you can hack it. Even if you do 5 years you will be out as an aircraft engineer who has worked on the most up to date kit, you can look at fixed or rotary before you join. The Army, RAF and RN are looking for aircraft engineers so it’s your choice.

As an ex member of the forces who has left before my full time I couldn’t advise it highly enough. I have my EASA licence and FAA A+P now and have used the forces as a springboard in to civil aviation. Take it from me if you go into a civil company with no aircraft experience you will be paid peanuts and may not get the positive start you want. If you join, get a trade and then look at the civil side, you will have, let’s say 5 years and a known background of training. You never know, the forces may help get your Part 66 licence when you are ready to leave.

It’s not the path for everyone but if you’re willing for a crash course in learning, getting a good wage and maybe even seeing some of the world I couldn’t recommend it enough.

Good luck whatever path you take.