B1+B2

[Swedish Steve]

Quote
I'm hearing about combined B1/B2 type rating courses....any views on that, in the context of this thread or otherwise?

The BA B777 course is a B1 course. For a B2 course they take some bits out of it and make it shorter. So the whole course is B1/B2.
I work on a small line station. Only Daily checks and defects. I have a converted AML which is B1-1. Not even full B1. Only once in the last twenty years have I had to get a B2 guy in to help me. Working on modern jets with BITE and no real test equipment, you can stay legal. On any modern jet transport from B757 onwards you can do an autopilot test sitting in the flightdeck, with no test equipment except the little box of switches on B757/B767.
I think the main point is, if you want to work away from main base, get a B1.

[Just an Engineer]

You were lucky. When I did my BCAR exams I had an 'oral' exams.
Now holding a full B1 B2, not getting double pay but getting more than my colleagues with either. I think that as long as an individual knows his knowledge boundaries and skills, I can't see what is wrong with holding both.
Nobody knows everything!!!

Spelling lesson accepted :-)

Hmm on your main point I don’t think I stated anywhere that I opposed holding both providing the required knowledge has been learnt. What I disagree with is the current (seemingly) acceleration of people holding dual where the second licence is merely held/taken to aid there own markability/background knowledge etc.. This has only been made possible by the reduction in standards of the current licensing system. It was certainly possible with the old system however it was a lot harder work (and time) learning the syllabus etc..The end result was that you had thorough grounding in your subject

To come back to a point raised by another poster

I hold both B1 and B2 on a few types. Like a few guys in my company.But, yes, people are rarely 100 % performent in both subjects.
I am for example 100 % b2, but still perform routine B1 work. If it comes to some complexes really B1 jobs, then I always ask for some advice from my B1 colleges. You just have to know your limits. It is almost impossible to know everything.

This is all good and well however if we get to a point where there are only two people on a shift where both are B2 biased (however hold B1) where is he going to turn to for the knowledge if he is required to carry a ‘complex job’ (to quote) ? I suppose they could both say they don’t have the required knowledge and skills to carry out the job, however I suspect they would both be looked at very dimly when the aircraft is out on service in the morning at 06.00 with two supposed B1 approvals on shift

I think to say that you only sign what is within your knowledge boundaries is a bit of a cop out as its only fair for an employer to expect that, within reason, if you hold both approvals (and are being paid as such) you should be able to carry out vast majority of jobs whether large or small within each respective trade. Of course I am not advocating signing out of your experience range only that a lot of people with a second trade rarely try to fully cover both bases to the same efficiency

And the question of reducing job pool ? (Not answered) At the end of the day we are only cutting our own industry down in the long term….

[Bobcanfixit]

It sounds like some may struggle with half the Aircraft, fine, remain "Just an Engineer".

With the ever merging technology of the newer types, the line between B1 and B2 is closing. You may/will be a little weaker in your "new" trade, but everyone has to start somewhere.

Over a new LAME, you will however have had many years experience in systems, procedures, rules/regs etc etc to apply to the other half. You can't be in two places at once, you won't get double the pay, but you will eventually be twice the Engineer!

You need to market and challenge yourself or be happy to slip behind, just don't about it!