Forces - Aircraft Engineers
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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Forces - Aircraft Engineers
I thought I would start this new subject. Well, I hope it is. I am in the RAF and have been for the past 23 years. Like a lot of aircraft engineers in the RAF, I am leaving. Did my time etc. It is a short notice decision and as a result I have not got any type of civilian aircraft licence. I have been employed on aircraft for the whole of my RAF career. Worked on Jet, Wide bodied and helicopters. For those in the know, 'am I employable in the aircraft industry with just my RAF aircraft experience. I say 'just'!
I am also sure that I am not the only, almost ex, RAF aircraft engineer out there who is looking for employment in the industry. CV's have been sent, only recently. No replies yet though.
Opinions welcome.
I am also sure that I am not the only, almost ex, RAF aircraft engineer out there who is looking for employment in the industry. CV's have been sent, only recently. No replies yet though.
Opinions welcome.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Do not give up. Try contract agencys first as they will help you get a foot into the system. It is a long slog to get a licence from scratch, but if that is your aim at the end it will be worth it if you wish to stay with the industry.
Look on airmech.co.uk there have been many posts from poeple in the same situation as yourself.
As for the CV some companies can take several months to get back to you. Another tip for your CV is that you must have something on it that a prospective employer wants. I have seen many ex-service CV's and you can tell they have been on a resettlement CV writing course. The CV is wishy washy and says nothing.
Sell yourself and your experience but in write it in Civil Aircraft Speak.
More gen from CAA website.
Think positive and enjoy the transition and Good Luck.
Look on airmech.co.uk there have been many posts from poeple in the same situation as yourself.
As for the CV some companies can take several months to get back to you. Another tip for your CV is that you must have something on it that a prospective employer wants. I have seen many ex-service CV's and you can tell they have been on a resettlement CV writing course. The CV is wishy washy and says nothing.
Sell yourself and your experience but in write it in Civil Aircraft Speak.
More gen from CAA website.
Think positive and enjoy the transition and Good Luck.
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Its been a long time but the transition problems remain the same. Be prepared to take a few steps back down the ladder and also go back to basics to study (cilvilians don't gen-up) for the licence exams. Civil and military aeroplane technology are pretty much the same but the terms used are often different. For example 'servicing' means topping up the oil or doing refuelling in civvy street. You can convert from military to civil quite quickly and once you have the proper licences those years of experience kick back in again and then there's no limit. There's plenty of ex-military men in hiring positions in civil aviation who know what you might be worth, but be prepared to convince them that you're ready and willing to take all the initial hard knocks that go with crossing over.
A word of advice on resettlement courses. The best ones (if they're still available) are the practical ones that teach how to do a bit of bricklaying, plastering and plumbing. Very useful for the old DIY around the house. Stay away from anything to do with management or CV writing...
Good Luck.
A word of advice on resettlement courses. The best ones (if they're still available) are the practical ones that teach how to do a bit of bricklaying, plastering and plumbing. Very useful for the old DIY around the house. Stay away from anything to do with management or CV writing...
Good Luck.
Join Date: May 2004
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To be brutally honest with You,at present You are not employable however there are a number of contracting agencies who might employ an un-licensed Guy like Yourself,do study for your license but bear in mind even after getting Your license You will still have to gain the necessary experience(5 Years ab-initio 4 Years ex forces?)to actually use the license.If you are not interested in doing the license then do indeed try the agencies.I actually went the RAF-Civvy bit Myself its tough going but well worth it.
PM Me if you need anything.
MK
PM Me if you need anything.
MK
Cunning Artificer
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Not necessarily freikorps but it does provide more independence. The new 'P' regulations will mean that domestic electricians will become a lot wealthier though....
Join Date: Jun 2004
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In my last year in the military Institution, I made up a OJT book. It was many pages long and was a great asset to me when I came across experience log books to get my first civiy licence.
I was laughed at and made the butt of many jokes when I did that, but 10 years later those same guys are now leaving the Air Force after serving their 20 years. Not much laughing coming from them now.
I had to get a letter written up and attached to my release testimonial, etc, that stated all my training was 8hrs per day, monday to friday.
Hope this helps a bit.
Good luck.
I was laughed at and made the butt of many jokes when I did that, but 10 years later those same guys are now leaving the Air Force after serving their 20 years. Not much laughing coming from them now.
I had to get a letter written up and attached to my release testimonial, etc, that stated all my training was 8hrs per day, monday to friday.
Hope this helps a bit.
Good luck.
Join Date: May 2004
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Unfortunately all the military experience means next to nothing in EASA/JAA land as I previously said You will get no concessions(maybe the 1n year I mentioned?)or any dispensations of any kind.
again
good luck.
again
good luck.
Join Date: May 2001
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Unfortunately you will find that once you get outside you might not find the time to do the required amount of study for your Licence exams. I assume that you will get some kind of terminal leave, etc. Your best bet is to use this time to get onto a licence course so that you can hit the exams hard and fast. Your Military training will stand you in good stead for this, as an ex-RAF guy myself I know that you have been trained to a high standard, now you need to convince the CAA and the only way to do that is to pass their exams.
I would start at the beginning and work your way through them in numerical order. Maths, Physics, electrical fundamentals etc.....
If you are a mechanical trade then I personally found it best to get a pro to teach you the Electrical and Avionic type stuff in a classroom envoiroment, Air Legislation is also best taught by an Expert (imho) as it is an incredibly boring and difficult subject to self study.
I was an Airframe fitter in the Airforce and found that electrical stuff quite hard at first. I am now a full B1 ( after I converted my single BCAR Aeroplanes 2 Lic). I now find that nearly every snag i deal with on our Aircraft is Elecrical, Avionic or Engine related, You soon learn fast !
It is doable and plenty of folk have made the transition, the question you need to ask yourself is do you want to earn £20K pa or £40K for basically doing a very similar task, that peice of paper is worth an awful lot of money in the long term....
I imagine that 2005 seemed a long way off back in 2000 when you would have been able to use some of your training and experience for the BCAR exams, we live and learn , eh.
The fact that you're doing something about it now by asking the right questions in the right places is a good start....
Good luck , you're gonna need it...
I would start at the beginning and work your way through them in numerical order. Maths, Physics, electrical fundamentals etc.....
If you are a mechanical trade then I personally found it best to get a pro to teach you the Electrical and Avionic type stuff in a classroom envoiroment, Air Legislation is also best taught by an Expert (imho) as it is an incredibly boring and difficult subject to self study.
I was an Airframe fitter in the Airforce and found that electrical stuff quite hard at first. I am now a full B1 ( after I converted my single BCAR Aeroplanes 2 Lic). I now find that nearly every snag i deal with on our Aircraft is Elecrical, Avionic or Engine related, You soon learn fast !
It is doable and plenty of folk have made the transition, the question you need to ask yourself is do you want to earn £20K pa or £40K for basically doing a very similar task, that peice of paper is worth an awful lot of money in the long term....
I imagine that 2005 seemed a long way off back in 2000 when you would have been able to use some of your training and experience for the BCAR exams, we live and learn , eh.
The fact that you're doing something about it now by asking the right questions in the right places is a good start....
Good luck , you're gonna need it...
Join Date: Aug 2005
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weefella
What you can do in civvy street aviation is somewhat dependent upon what you want to do with your life.
From your post, it is evident that you are around 40 years of age. That is a bit late to start training for a career as a licensed engineer, not too late, but as has been pointed out it takes a while to obtain a basic license and type ratings and therefore become really useful to a maintenance organisation.
Regrettably, until you can become a certifying engineer, whilst useful for spannering, your pay will not really start to escalate.
There are openings for such as you directly in support roles, with a bit of extra training in areas such as logistics, quality assurance or planning. These don't need licenses but are not nearly so well paid but the quality of life might be better in areas such as working hours, environment etc.
If you aspire to management positions, you are also in a cleft stick since regulatory mandated posts like Aircraft Maintenance Manager or Quality Manager are normally required to be held by suitably qualified personel i.e. licensed.
Best of luck
(Ex fairy)
What you can do in civvy street aviation is somewhat dependent upon what you want to do with your life.
From your post, it is evident that you are around 40 years of age. That is a bit late to start training for a career as a licensed engineer, not too late, but as has been pointed out it takes a while to obtain a basic license and type ratings and therefore become really useful to a maintenance organisation.
Regrettably, until you can become a certifying engineer, whilst useful for spannering, your pay will not really start to escalate.
There are openings for such as you directly in support roles, with a bit of extra training in areas such as logistics, quality assurance or planning. These don't need licenses but are not nearly so well paid but the quality of life might be better in areas such as working hours, environment etc.
If you aspire to management positions, you are also in a cleft stick since regulatory mandated posts like Aircraft Maintenance Manager or Quality Manager are normally required to be held by suitably qualified personel i.e. licensed.
Best of luck
(Ex fairy)
