training
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
training
Hi
Next year I will be 7th form at school. I want to be a helicopter engineer but I know there are a number of paths to become an helicopter engineer. I'm just not sure which one to take.
My family thinks I should go to uni.
Everyone I've talked to that has anything to do with aviation says that an apprenticeship will be better. They all say that in the aviation industry it's experience that counts more than a degree.
I was just wondering what you guys think is the best out of an apprenticeship or a degree
Next year I will be 7th form at school. I want to be a helicopter engineer but I know there are a number of paths to become an helicopter engineer. I'm just not sure which one to take.
My family thinks I should go to uni.
Everyone I've talked to that has anything to do with aviation says that an apprenticeship will be better. They all say that in the aviation industry it's experience that counts more than a degree.
I was just wondering what you guys think is the best out of an apprenticeship or a degree
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: UK
In my opinion (as this is the route I am taking)......get to University, and do a combined Degree/ Part66 B1.3License (Turbine Engined Helicopters)
Get the license on Rotary (either Mechanical B1, or Avionics B2), and you'll be sorted. There are pro's and cons of taking this route over an apprenticeship. You'll miss out on some experiance, which would help you secure a job, but then you'll have a degree (or HNC/D etc) to offset that. But most importantly, you'll have a license, so will be a much faster route to a certifying role.
Not sure off-hand of anyone that runs the license courses the helicopters, as I'm a fixed wing guy myself....
Have a look on www.airmech.co.uk
Hope that helps a bit!, just my opinion, I'm sure plenty will have other suggestions
Get the license on Rotary (either Mechanical B1, or Avionics B2), and you'll be sorted. There are pro's and cons of taking this route over an apprenticeship. You'll miss out on some experiance, which would help you secure a job, but then you'll have a degree (or HNC/D etc) to offset that. But most importantly, you'll have a license, so will be a much faster route to a certifying role.
Not sure off-hand of anyone that runs the license courses the helicopters, as I'm a fixed wing guy myself....
Have a look on www.airmech.co.uk
Hope that helps a bit!, just my opinion, I'm sure plenty will have other suggestions
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
thanks for your opinion.
At the moment I'm leaning towards getting an apprenticeship. To most apprenticeships in NZ you need to do the 2 year aircraft engineering pre-employement course at polytech which counts as time towards getting a liscense. In NZ you need a minimum of 4 years experience to get a liscense so after doing an apprenticeship for a few years you only have to the exam to get a liscence.
So getting a liscence through an apprenticeship will only take a short time longer than going to university. Although I won't have a degree I won't have a big student loan.
At the moment I'm leaning towards getting an apprenticeship. To most apprenticeships in NZ you need to do the 2 year aircraft engineering pre-employement course at polytech which counts as time towards getting a liscense. In NZ you need a minimum of 4 years experience to get a liscense so after doing an apprenticeship for a few years you only have to the exam to get a liscence.
So getting a liscence through an apprenticeship will only take a short time longer than going to university. Although I won't have a degree I won't have a big student loan.
