What way to go?

[LowLevelAviator]

Good day Fellow Aviators.

I have got my Commercial pilot license couple of years ago, and now I'm thinking of doing a technician license. I have the option of going for B1 which is A&P and B2 which is Avionics (please correct me if I'm wrong, that's the way I heard it) and to be honest I like the Avionics Idea much better, specially since a lot of my pilot friends as well as A&P friends suggested it.
But I wanna get some advices from people who either have both or have been in the industry longer.
Also I'd like to know do I need to convert the license once I wanna move to another country, and if so, how the process is? Thinking of going back to African continent after getting my License and degree.

Thanks in advance.

[TheDoctor46]

Hello,

I'll start by informing you that I am not a B1 or B2 licenced engineer, however I do work in the industry as a Mechanical Systems Technician.

In response to your question, it really depends on personal preference - and what you would like to do as a technician. It also depends on the area where you would like to work.

Every aircraft has physical structure and an airframe, however not every aircraft has avionics [although it is the future]. Have you considered dual licencing? i.e. B1 and B2? There are many dual licenced engineers out there who I speak to on a daily basis. It obviously depends on your personal situation.

If you are aiming to become type rated on "modern aircraft" then B1 and B2 is an option, however I would maybe suggest that the B1 route has more security behind it, for want of a better term, because every aircraft type requires the B1 skillset.

Again, I am not a licenced engineer, so I don't know first hand. I sit in an office and provide technical solutions to the hands-on guys for problems not covered in manuals etc.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

All the best.

Doc