Questions: Starting a career in a/c maintenance
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Questions: Starting a career in a/c maintenance
Hi all, new guy here, with some burning questions... (apologies if this sort of topic is often discussed, I did a search on the forum but didn’t find anything) I am thinking about starting a career in aircraft maintenance. I have a degree in aerospace engineering, which I did at Kingston University, but I feel my heart lies with fixing and maintaining aircraft.
The problem is, as I start researching how I start this career path there are lots of different courses and qualifications on offer, and to the layman it is a little confusing. I want to be sure that I am applying for the right thing and not on track to be wasting time and money... I have a goal in my mind of eventually working on Airbus or Boeing's in the London area.
I went to my local college (Northbrook at Shoreham airport) and discussed the course they run, its titled: “City and Guilds 2661 A Licence” – They told me that after I complete the course I would be able to start applying to relevant companies and get work experience, after two years if I put the effort in I would get my full A Licence. The career path would then progress to a four year course to attain a B (1 or 2) Licence.
The questions I would be really grateful if answered are:
Many thanks for your time, and look forward to the answers and advice (I hope! Haha)
The problem is, as I start researching how I start this career path there are lots of different courses and qualifications on offer, and to the layman it is a little confusing. I want to be sure that I am applying for the right thing and not on track to be wasting time and money... I have a goal in my mind of eventually working on Airbus or Boeing's in the London area.
I went to my local college (Northbrook at Shoreham airport) and discussed the course they run, its titled: “City and Guilds 2661 A Licence” – They told me that after I complete the course I would be able to start applying to relevant companies and get work experience, after two years if I put the effort in I would get my full A Licence. The career path would then progress to a four year course to attain a B (1 or 2) Licence.
The questions I would be really grateful if answered are:
- Is the C&G 2661 course the right way to enter a/c maintenance, how do employers look upon it? Suggestions of other courses or colleges?
- How hard is it to get your first placement with zero “real world” experience
- It is it realistic or farfetched to think in four years time I could be working on an Airbus or Boeing in the London/Southern area?
- What are the major hurdles on the way?
- What companies support you through the B licence route?
Many thanks for your time, and look forward to the answers and advice (I hope! Haha)
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It is pretty difficult getting the required experience, almost a catch 22 situtaion. However if you are young enough (max 24 I think) you could do an apprenticeship as this is by far the best way to go about becoming an aircraft engineer. As for doing the A licence this is a waste of time if you want to be a B1 (mechancial) engineer. Do a full B1 and your lack of experience will only allow you to use part A of your licence until you have the required experience anyway.
Why do you only want to work on Boeing/Airbus?? There are plenty of others out there.......
Why do you only want to work on Boeing/Airbus?? There are plenty of others out there.......
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Thanks mrmagoo... I am going to be 26 by the end of June, so maybe I am leaving this a bit late. I suggested Airbus and Boeing as I thought a goal would make it easier to answer the questions, but I know I would need to be open minded to get that inital experience.
My gut feeling after speaking to the course leader at the college, was that a C&G2661 course might not get me anywhere fast. But from what I understand to study for a B licence would take 4 years, so I would be pushing 30 without any experience by the end of it.
My gut feeling after speaking to the course leader at the college, was that a C&G2661 course might not get me anywhere fast. But from what I understand to study for a B licence would take 4 years, so I would be pushing 30 without any experience by the end of it.
Last edited by Woooers; 11th May 2009 at 05:58.
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I don't understand why you would think it would be too late to start an apprenticeship after the age of 24. If it's something you truly want to do then why would age matter? 
I am 30 going on 31 and have spent the last 10 years working in IT. Thanks to the current global economic climate I have just begun the process of applying for an aircraft maintenance apprenticeship. This particular apprenticeship results in achieving a B1 / B2 license. I am not worried about my age being a factor as my passion has always been in the aviation sector. My only regret is that I didn't take the plunge myself a few years ago without being pushed by an economic stimulus, or lack thereof.
My point is simply this, regardless of what age you are surely it's not the wrong thing to do if it's what you truly want. Just bear in mind that getting into such apprenticeships will be a lot more difficult now than it was as recently as a year ago due to the recession. I know I have not been accepted into anything yet however I am approaching this with an open mind and a lot of enthusiasm. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
I am 30 going on 31 and have spent the last 10 years working in IT. Thanks to the current global economic climate I have just begun the process of applying for an aircraft maintenance apprenticeship. This particular apprenticeship results in achieving a B1 / B2 license. I am not worried about my age being a factor as my passion has always been in the aviation sector. My only regret is that I didn't take the plunge myself a few years ago without being pushed by an economic stimulus, or lack thereof.
My point is simply this, regardless of what age you are surely it's not the wrong thing to do if it's what you truly want. Just bear in mind that getting into such apprenticeships will be a lot more difficult now than it was as recently as a year ago due to the recession. I know I have not been accepted into anything yet however I am approaching this with an open mind and a lot of enthusiasm. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
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Although I have been unable to find it written, I seem to remember that apprenticeships were limited to an age of 24 to gain government grants/funding (desgined to wncourage young people into industries).... Although I am willing to be proved wrong.
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The Age cap was removed in 2007, something to do with the age discrimination act I think.
I admire anyone who is willing to give it a go, apprentice wages are usually shocking but at least you'll earn something and I have to say most in the industry are happier with engineers coming from a decent apprenticship rather than an EASA B1 college student.
I admire anyone who is willing to give it a go, apprentice wages are usually shocking but at least you'll earn something and I have to say most in the industry are happier with engineers coming from a decent apprenticship rather than an EASA B1 college student.
