How to get started in aircraft engineering.

[Bruntingthorpe Rat]

My 15 year old son has just begun his last year at school, and he has ambitions to become an aircraft engineer. In my day, you applied for an apprenticship, but how does it work now? would he be best to go on to A levels and University?
He already has a great deal of aircraft engineering and general airfield work expirience as he is a keen member of the aircraft collection at Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire, England, and part owns a taxiable Jet Provost.
His real interest is in General Aviation and Vintage aircraft restoration.
It is time for him to start planing ahead, and we thought the profesionals were the best place to start.

[NutLoose]

Ok to be blunt. General Engineering , of which I am in does not pay that well........................ You could get him to apply to Duxford as they often need people, but he would be more or less paying them..........

my advice which i posted in another thread on another site would be

A couple of intial thoughts are

http://www.rolls-royce.com/careers/uk/apprentices/default.jsp

Off RR site http://www.rolls-royce.com/careers/uk/apprentices/ama/apply.jsp

Although our vacancies are now full, we will be opening again for applications in October 2006. Please register here if you would like to be alerted when new vacancies are open:



http://www.airbus.com/en/careers/school_programmes/uk_a...ticeships/index.html

but left a little to late i think for that


http://www.qinetiq.com/home/careers/apprenticeships.html

http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/...rofiles/profile1140/

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/1100education/t...50082-name_page.html

[Stevob]

http://www.airbus.com/en/careers/sch...ips/index.html

but left a little to late i think for that

My first post in ages, how things have changed since then!

Its not too late at all.

Airbus will take apprentices at any age. Anyway its illegal to discriminate against someone because of their age now, so its NEVER too late!

I got my apprenticeship with airbus at 20, after sacking off my engineering degree.

If he wants to work with working aircraft, then airbus probably isnt the way to go. My plan is to finish my 3 year apprenticeship with airbus, then look to go contracting and do my engineer liscences.

as for uni/apprenticeship, You can get higher engineering apprenticeships which will give you a foundation degree (need a levels or equivelent for these im pretty sure) all paid for and getting a wage while he studies.

I think this is a great option currently for anyone looking to get into aircraft engineering.

[BAe146s make me cry]

Alternatively, click on the link below for City of Bristol College.
They run 1-3 year courses for Basic Aircraft Maintenance Training.

Exhaust all avenues for a full apprenticeship first though. The
apprentice pay may be crap but he'll be equipped for life.

http://www.cityofbristol.ac.uk/cobct...&subclassid=26

If you have any questions, please send a PM.

Good luck

BAe146??

[Rigga]

Just to add that some airlines also do appenticeships - BA, Moanarch and First Choice to name a few, but check with other engineering companies like FlyBe, KLM UK, SR Technics, etc.

At the VERY last effort - try the RAF! They will pay for your self-studies as you progress through your Term and you will get some good training and experience.

Unfortunately nowadays, you need 'formal' training to get into the better paid jobs - and not many people do training!

Best of Luck, whichever way your son goes.
Rigga

[NutLoose]

Air atlantic at Coventry might be a possibility, but i hear they are cutting back after major cost rises in hangerage after the Airfield changed hands.

[Techie28]

Virgin Atlantic run a VERY good apprenticeship scheme... The pay is pretty good AND you get the travel benefits!

[Wrightbrothers]

Originally Posted by Techie28

Virgin Atlantic run a VERY good apprenticeship scheme... The pay is pretty good AND you get the travel benefits!

Do you know if VS will be doing an apprenticeship anytime in the future ?, I'm the same age as Brunthingthorpe Rat's son (15, although in the year bellow) and I'm interested in being an aircraft engineer on the big jets.

Wrightbrothers