has anyone become an engineer from another background?
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has anyone become an engineer from another background?
I am a qualified engineer for british gas and have been trying to get into aircraft engineering for some years!
I have just started to do my modules after receiving some advice from an engineer i know, and have successfully passed 4 modules at b1 level.
Although i have been picking up experience at weekends at aircraft maintenance services at blackpool on the 748 and ATP, from what i read the way i am doing it seems to be frowned upon by the industry!! Will i be employable if i carry on this way?
I have just started to do my modules after receiving some advice from an engineer i know, and have successfully passed 4 modules at b1 level.
Although i have been picking up experience at weekends at aircraft maintenance services at blackpool on the 748 and ATP, from what i read the way i am doing it seems to be frowned upon by the industry!! Will i be employable if i carry on this way?
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I don't think it will be a problem - stick at it!
I know people that have gone from being a taxi driver to B1, also a guy I know used to maintain ski lifts before taking the B1 modules.......
I know people that have gone from being a taxi driver to B1, also a guy I know used to maintain ski lifts before taking the B1 modules.......
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I have just started to do my modules after receiving some advice from an engineer i know, and have successfully passed 4 modules at b1 level. Although i have been picking up experience at weekends at aircraft maintenance services at blackpool on the 748 and ATP, from what i read the way i am doing it seems to be frowned upon by the industry!! Will i be employable if i carry on this way?
Joking aside, I know one or two individuals who have successfully made the transition from other engineering backgrounds. At the end of the day anything is possible if you are prepared to put in the effort. There is no substitute for actual hands on aircraft experience so the weekend work will definitely aid your cause. Be certain to log all this experience no matter how trivial with a view to showing it to potential employers in the future.
Nobody is going to frown upon an individual who successfully makes the grade through sheer hard work and determination. Be prepared for one or two knock backs on the way but stick with it, you'll get there in the end.
Good luck!
Plus, being a qualified person from another technical trade will mean you require less experience than a self starter without any technical training when it comes to applying for your licence,(3 years instead of 5 last time I checked) best of luck with it! Also you will probably be able to fabricate a length of pipe better than anyone else you are working with!
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As has been said....
If you pass the exams and display the required experience requirements then you ARE a licensed engineer. The path to get there is irrelevant.
Weird choice of usernamer though, have you worked there!
If you pass the exams and display the required experience requirements then you ARE a licensed engineer. The path to get there is irrelevant.
Weird choice of usernamer though, have you worked there!
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Funnily enough, I know someone who has gone the other way. Sixteen years on heavies and he has just done his ACS (or is it ACOPS) and registered with CORGI. His biggest problem was work experience which I imagine will be the same for you. No-one wants the faff or expense of training anyone anymore. He worked for nothing for a year with a gasfitter in order to fullfil his experience requirements. Can one do this in aviation engineering?
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Can one do this in aviation engineering?
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I have worked at atlantic, hence the name and hopefully will be getting some more work experience there in the summer.
I have offered my free hands to all the major airlines at manchester, but keep getting knock backs, seems the free hand route doesn't always work!! I am going to ravenair at liverpool, to see about getting some work experience there. does anyone know anything about them? I know there mainly piston engine light aircraft, i presume any experience helps!!!!!
Thanks for the replys so far, it's put my mind at rest that hard work and determination pays off!!
I have offered my free hands to all the major airlines at manchester, but keep getting knock backs, seems the free hand route doesn't always work!! I am going to ravenair at liverpool, to see about getting some work experience there. does anyone know anything about them? I know there mainly piston engine light aircraft, i presume any experience helps!!!!!
Thanks for the replys so far, it's put my mind at rest that hard work and determination pays off!!
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Most companies don't have a "system" for employing people without paying them therefor approaching through the "front door" via cold call or letter to HR will probably not work.
Going through a Maintenance Manager of Senior LAE contact would be better or perhaps calling some of the recruitment agency'c that can "get you in" would be better (as they won't get any money - they may not be that interested other than a bit of credit for finding a free labourer).
You probably won't get any line work atall as having untrained people on the ramp is a bad thing - aiming for hangars would be better.
I would have thought Flybe at MAN would let you into their "A" Check hangar to play.
Going through a Maintenance Manager of Senior LAE contact would be better or perhaps calling some of the recruitment agency'c that can "get you in" would be better (as they won't get any money - they may not be that interested other than a bit of credit for finding a free labourer).
You probably won't get any line work atall as having untrained people on the ramp is a bad thing - aiming for hangars would be better.
I would have thought Flybe at MAN would let you into their "A" Check hangar to play.
A problem that may occur is that a customer does not want "non-professionals" working on their aircraft!
This has happened a few times with modern apprentices in MRO's where the customer wanted work re-certified or would not pay for the Apprentices man-hours.
A snag I hit once was how to give an approval to someone who did not have any recognised basic training? In that company's quality system I couldn't give the subject a Workshop approval - I dont know how that would work under EASA's Pt 66?
Other than that I cannot see any problem with the self-taught route.
Good Luck AA - We need keen people like you to enter the industry.
This has happened a few times with modern apprentices in MRO's where the customer wanted work re-certified or would not pay for the Apprentices man-hours.
A snag I hit once was how to give an approval to someone who did not have any recognised basic training? In that company's quality system I couldn't give the subject a Workshop approval - I dont know how that would work under EASA's Pt 66?
Other than that I cannot see any problem with the self-taught route.
Good Luck AA - We need keen people like you to enter the industry.
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well there definetely an experience the 748 and atp!!! but have really enjoyed learning the basics on them!!
thanks everyone for replying!! if you meet an ex gas man soon!!!!!!
thanks everyone for replying!! if you meet an ex gas man soon!!!!!!
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I know of one particular airline (before selling the hangars off and prePart 66) that used to take on some people from mainly motor trades, but some plumbers and gas fitters also, and use them on the floor with fully trained mechanics and engineers for a couple of years before letting them loose. Some of these went on to pass all their exams and get their licences.
Unfortunaltely they no longer do their own maintenance but it was rather successful at the time..
The trouble now is (just like the pilots situation) that their are too many young lads and lasses studying their part 66 at various colleges/Universities around the country just needing OJT and would kill each other to get it, and as a result companies can pay peanuts if any for their efforts.
This new system has jepordised the appreticeship system and the entry systems from other trades..
I say, four years experience before you can apply to sit your exams should be the legislation. That should make sure the airlines and MRO's invest in people again
. Instead of an 18yr old borrowing a fortune to get all the academic qualifications, and then scrapping for a **** paying job for two more years just getting experience. Why not get them at 16 and by the time their 20 they have more experience and are ready for their licence at 21..
The aviation industry shoud be training people, not people training themselves being convinced by their instructors (who's wages are being paid by these students) that their is loads of work and you can earn a fortune
...
Truth is they are really only starting their apprenticeship at the age of 22....
Sorry for the rant!!!!!!
Unfortunaltely they no longer do their own maintenance but it was rather successful at the time..
The trouble now is (just like the pilots situation) that their are too many young lads and lasses studying their part 66 at various colleges/Universities around the country just needing OJT and would kill each other to get it, and as a result companies can pay peanuts if any for their efforts.
This new system has jepordised the appreticeship system and the entry systems from other trades..
I say, four years experience before you can apply to sit your exams should be the legislation. That should make sure the airlines and MRO's invest in people again
. Instead of an 18yr old borrowing a fortune to get all the academic qualifications, and then scrapping for a **** paying job for two more years just getting experience. Why not get them at 16 and by the time their 20 they have more experience and are ready for their licence at 21..The aviation industry shoud be training people, not people training themselves being convinced by their instructors (who's wages are being paid by these students) that their is loads of work and you can earn a fortune
...Truth is they are really only starting their apprenticeship at the age of 22....
Sorry for the rant!!!!!!
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MR. Brown is spot on. Learning the job at college does not prepare you for the real world. What was wrong with the apprenticeship with block release. Take kids from school at 16, send them to a technical training school for the first year and then 3 years in the hangar, line on shift learning from experienced staff. You could even have a modern take on the old craft / non craft route ie A or B licence.
For someone retraining from another trade whats wrong with them starting as a mech greasing and depanelling and again buildng knowledge from the experienced staff
Atlanticairlines, good luck on your quest, the job has its good and bad parts like any. Worked with a few guys who retrained and have no probs. Worked with a few time served that I wouldnt let touch my 5 year olds bike though
For someone retraining from another trade whats wrong with them starting as a mech greasing and depanelling and again buildng knowledge from the experienced staff
Atlanticairlines, good luck on your quest, the job has its good and bad parts like any. Worked with a few guys who retrained and have no probs. Worked with a few time served that I wouldnt let touch my 5 year olds bike though
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yes
well fimbar thats all i want is the opportunity to get stuck in and start to get the hands on experience i need!
i understand people not wanting to let you loose without experience, but how do you get that experience without someone taking a chance on you.
I know from having apprentices with me, that they are not perfect, but thats why i am there to train them! everyone has started at the beginning!!!!!!
At least i am used to using tools, and having to solve the problem of a faulty system myself, that must put a little faith in someone...
i understand people not wanting to let you loose without experience, but how do you get that experience without someone taking a chance on you.
I know from having apprentices with me, that they are not perfect, but thats why i am there to train them! everyone has started at the beginning!!!!!!
At least i am used to using tools, and having to solve the problem of a faulty system myself, that must put a little faith in someone...
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some of the best
This reminds me of the days at Prestwick's Scottish Aviation Ltd and we were very busy building the Jetstreams. To get workers the company took on men from the motor trade, British Rail, TV repairmen etc.
Some of the finest engineers I have ever worked with came out of that bunch, not all became LAE's but I would fly on any Aircraft that these guys worked on or build. If you are wanting to become a Aircraft Engineer that's the important bit.
Good Luck Peter
Some of the finest engineers I have ever worked with came out of that bunch, not all became LAE's but I would fly on any Aircraft that these guys worked on or build. If you are wanting to become a Aircraft Engineer that's the important bit.
Good Luck Peter
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AtlanticAirlines, no problems with anyone retraining and getting the experience the way you are trying. I did not come accross to well but its the college based A and B licence courses I disagree with. Yes the licence is a hard accademic exam but the job is so much more and for me you can only get that in industry. hangar experience is so valuable, I have even come accross some line guys at one airline that couldnt get a pannel off because he couldnt drill a fastener out
Its the airlines responsibility to ensure they have enough trained AND experienced staff, for me a lot of them are not meeting that.
Going back to your origonal post I would think that you would be looked on favourably by most companies as you shown you have the motivation to get up and do something about it. 4 modules in the bank is proof you are serious.
Have you looked at BAMC in Cardiff, or BAMG in Glasgow.Not the best places to work I have heard but I think they take on people from other trades.
Its the airlines responsibility to ensure they have enough trained AND experienced staff, for me a lot of them are not meeting that.
Going back to your origonal post I would think that you would be looked on favourably by most companies as you shown you have the motivation to get up and do something about it. 4 modules in the bank is proof you are serious.
Have you looked at BAMC in Cardiff, or BAMG in Glasgow.Not the best places to work I have heard but I think they take on people from other trades.
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ATC Lasham at Southend have been known to help people in your position. You could try ATC Lasham at Lasham, too.
Time industry took the long-term view and encouraged those who want to to be AMEs. MAEL used to convert adult trainees but they had a pool of talent from Vauxhall.
Time industry took the long-term view and encouraged those who want to to be AMEs. MAEL used to convert adult trainees but they had a pool of talent from Vauxhall.