Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Derby
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Hi everyone. New poster here!!! Just looking for some sound advice really :-
I'm a 24 year old male who is looking at potentially becoming a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer and need information on if it is possible even though I've never completed an apprenticeship.
Bit of background information --- Completed an aerospace degree in 2004, Worked at TRW/Goodrich for a year during uni, worked at Rolls-Royce Derby for a year & currently work dealing with Engine Health Monitoring.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.......
I'm a 24 year old male who is looking at potentially becoming a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer and need information on if it is possible even though I've never completed an apprenticeship.
Bit of background information --- Completed an aerospace degree in 2004, Worked at TRW/Goodrich for a year during uni, worked at Rolls-Royce Derby for a year & currently work dealing with Engine Health Monitoring.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.......
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: uk
try looking at www.airmech.co.uk which I believe is pprune's sister site for aircraft engineers. Your first step really would be to sit the 14 or so exams with the CAA for your B1 licence. PM me for more info if required.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Netherlands
Genxsux,
Yes, you can become a licensed engineer, with time and experience. But it strikes me you are going backwards, a lot of LAMEs I know spend their spare time working for a degree to get off the spanners and on to a the managerial ladder. I know you might argue you want some more hands on experience but I think you could have difficulty convincing an employer of your sincerity given your background. Anyway I wish you well, aviation needs more of your kind.
James
Yes, you can become a licensed engineer, with time and experience. But it strikes me you are going backwards, a lot of LAMEs I know spend their spare time working for a degree to get off the spanners and on to a the managerial ladder. I know you might argue you want some more hands on experience but I think you could have difficulty convincing an employer of your sincerity given your background. Anyway I wish you well, aviation needs more of your kind.
James
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: OZ
I wouldn't do it.
Much of what makes a good licensed aircraft engineer is experience. Most LAMEs will tell you that you don't know an aircraft until you have worked on it for years as training course instruction and the real world can often differ.
This experience is best gained when young and super keen. As this experience is gained on night shifts in rain being filthy. Just knowing where a component is and what it does isn't enough, knowing how to change it out quickly, efficiently and combined with good trouble shooting is where you earn your way.
I agree with JamesA, Why would you want to take a backwards step after doing your degree, LAME/AME are these days are a much maligned group by management types due to what we cost. In my company new engineers are paid less ,different conditions etc etc (not sure if this is world wide) So you are a second class citizen in a group of second class citizens.
The above comment does not reflect my view on my profession for I am proud of what I do, it was more of an observation of how the industry is changing and what to to expect if you come join in.
Good luck but these days i don't recommend my job to any kids looking for a career due to the lack of career path...you could be working 12 hour shifts from the day you start till the day you retire/die.....
Much of what makes a good licensed aircraft engineer is experience. Most LAMEs will tell you that you don't know an aircraft until you have worked on it for years as training course instruction and the real world can often differ.
This experience is best gained when young and super keen. As this experience is gained on night shifts in rain being filthy. Just knowing where a component is and what it does isn't enough, knowing how to change it out quickly, efficiently and combined with good trouble shooting is where you earn your way.
I agree with JamesA, Why would you want to take a backwards step after doing your degree, LAME/AME are these days are a much maligned group by management types due to what we cost. In my company new engineers are paid less ,different conditions etc etc (not sure if this is world wide) So you are a second class citizen in a group of second class citizens.
The above comment does not reflect my view on my profession for I am proud of what I do, it was more of an observation of how the industry is changing and what to to expect if you come join in.
Good luck but these days i don't recommend my job to any kids looking for a career due to the lack of career path...you could be working 12 hour shifts from the day you start till the day you retire/die.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Derby
Thanks for the advice everyone, it's good to hear from people in the industry.
I can see why some people are suggesting to stay off the spanners but I'm sick to death of staring at a computer all day, getting !!!!! from the other side of the world.
I'm going to see how far I can get with sending prospective letters & CVs to Virgin, Marshall, BA, SAESL, HAESL, HAECO etc.
I can see why some people are suggesting to stay off the spanners but I'm sick to death of staring at a computer all day, getting !!!!! from the other side of the world.
I'm going to see how far I can get with sending prospective letters & CVs to Virgin, Marshall, BA, SAESL, HAESL, HAECO etc.
