Whats the value of an A license?
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Whats the value of an A license?
Evening all, I have recently applied for a few of the aircraft mechanic apprentice jobs advertised with a few airlines and am wondering how involved the A license is?
From my understanding I would obviously become the apprentice and I assume I would be working towards the EASA A license, am I right in thinking you need 3 years experience to gain this?
What I would like to know is: how much would an A licence earn me? or is just a step towards the B licence? Also Should I be successful and gain the A license, is it normal practice for companies then put you through the B license?
Does the A license basically allow you to do levels and basic jobs under a B1/B2?
I read somewhere that the B license requires 5 yrs experience before it can be issued or 3-4 years if you have a formal qualification in a skilled trade(which i do) can any one else confirm this?
I have tried the search function with not too much help, so if people could answer or give me some pointers it would be appreciated!
And yes whilst Google is normally my friend it seems to be a being a bit hazy with the answers I need or offering me jobs!
From my understanding I would obviously become the apprentice and I assume I would be working towards the EASA A license, am I right in thinking you need 3 years experience to gain this?
What I would like to know is: how much would an A licence earn me? or is just a step towards the B licence? Also Should I be successful and gain the A license, is it normal practice for companies then put you through the B license?
Does the A license basically allow you to do levels and basic jobs under a B1/B2?
I read somewhere that the B license requires 5 yrs experience before it can be issued or 3-4 years if you have a formal qualification in a skilled trade(which i do) can any one else confirm this?
I have tried the search function with not too much help, so if people could answer or give me some pointers it would be appreciated!
And yes whilst Google is normally my friend it seems to be a being a bit hazy with the answers I need or offering me jobs!
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If you're unemployed and have 0 hands-on, An A license is worth nothing, thats just my point of view.
If you're a mechanic already and have conformed to the A licence criteria then it'll benefit you a lot including elevating the chance of you being promoted from an unlicensed technician to a licensed technician which is what the A licence is for.
Many of my mates who were technicians and got the A licence are now on much better dosh and a much wider opening for them to gain further work experience to be qualified as B1 licensed engineers since the A licence is the inaugural stage of being a competent B1 holder.
So what I suggest is, Find a job first then bother with the licenses and stuff otherwise you'd be seriously wasting your time and money with a valueless qualification (it's of no value with 0 experience in terms of job prospects).
If you're a mechanic already and have conformed to the A licence criteria then it'll benefit you a lot including elevating the chance of you being promoted from an unlicensed technician to a licensed technician which is what the A licence is for.
Many of my mates who were technicians and got the A licence are now on much better dosh and a much wider opening for them to gain further work experience to be qualified as B1 licensed engineers since the A licence is the inaugural stage of being a competent B1 holder.
So what I suggest is, Find a job first then bother with the licenses and stuff otherwise you'd be seriously wasting your time and money with a valueless qualification (it's of no value with 0 experience in terms of job prospects).
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thanks for that flame-bringer that's what I was hoping to hear.
Whilst I do have a brain and aptitude I ask because the apprenticeship for which I have applied is to gain an A license at the end, I would however like to achieve a B license as an end result.
Going half way therefore to an A license seems to be the best option towards the B, I understand that the paper itself is fairly poor and not likely to earn any job offers but hopefully I would be gaining the experience also.
Is it normal for companies to offer to train you to B license standard if you start with them as a newbie? or would I generally have to pay for my own training course?
Thanks also to Nutloose for the link, that again was what I was after.
See people PPRuNe isn't always full of negative unhelpful people.
(just most of the time!)
Whilst I do have a brain and aptitude I ask because the apprenticeship for which I have applied is to gain an A license at the end, I would however like to achieve a B license as an end result.
Going half way therefore to an A license seems to be the best option towards the B, I understand that the paper itself is fairly poor and not likely to earn any job offers but hopefully I would be gaining the experience also.
Is it normal for companies to offer to train you to B license standard if you start with them as a newbie? or would I generally have to pay for my own training course?
Thanks also to Nutloose for the link, that again was what I was after.
See people PPRuNe isn't always full of negative unhelpful people.
(just most of the time!)
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As to your second question, That purely depends on your company and whether they need to give apprenticships for a B1 licence or not, All comes down to the company demands.
However it's like I said, a licence is worth nothing with no hands-on, you need to be on the tools atleast for 1 year, then 3 more years signing for your own work with your A licence then only you can move onto a B1 licence if you want to be competent enough.
so don't rush it you'll eventually get your licenses even if it needs from you to pay for it from your money, after all this period you would have saved sufficient money to sponsor yourself for the B course.
concentrate on the hands-on as of now.
However it's like I said, a licence is worth nothing with no hands-on, you need to be on the tools atleast for 1 year, then 3 more years signing for your own work with your A licence then only you can move onto a B1 licence if you want to be competent enough.
so don't rush it you'll eventually get your licenses even if it needs from you to pay for it from your money, after all this period you would have saved sufficient money to sponsor yourself for the B course.
concentrate on the hands-on as of now.
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If you have read the other zillion "I want to be an engineer" threads on here you may well have noticed the big Catch-22 is hands-on experience. If you can get that there are many routes to the theoretical side.
Treat the A licence as the means to an end by all means, it's a worthwhile step in its own right, but most importantly if it gets you working on aircraft you have a foot on the ladder and that is the hardest foothold to get.
Treat the A licence as the means to an end by all means, it's a worthwhile step in its own right, but most importantly if it gets you working on aircraft you have a foot on the ladder and that is the hardest foothold to get.
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Thank you, yes the main issue I see from the distance learning courses (which don't appeal to me) is the lack of the vital "hands on experience" And so whilst the A license may not be that highly regarded for possible employers, it is a step in the right direction.
Are there any ex recent apprentice's on here? The money to begin with is simply shocking yet id still be prepared to work for it as again its gaining the experience which counts, just wondered how other people coped with the money flow situation?
Thanks again for the info
Are there any ex recent apprentice's on here? The money to begin with is simply shocking yet id still be prepared to work for it as again its gaining the experience which counts, just wondered how other people coped with the money flow situation?
Thanks again for the info
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Cat A
The Cat A can be of use to an employer as it allows approval for tasks shown at AMC 145.A.30 (g) to be granted without the need for a full type rating. But you are better of holding the B1 with type rating as most employers will pay approval pay.
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Just finishing my apprenticeship with BA now, got all bar 2 modules of my A license and can safely say it will never compare to the hand skills I've gained and the experience but if its offered on a plate take it, the license its self is simple enough to complete.
regarding the comment on money
I'm on 13k final year without shift, money for me isn't a problem as I'm always in work (or so it feels) jumps to 23k as a Mech
regarding the comment on money
I'm on 13k final year without shift, money for me isn't a problem as I'm always in work (or so it feels) jumps to 23k as a Mech
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you can't say anything. You've been in the business 2 minutes and have a mouth wider than the Mersey tunnel.
Get some time in. Learn the profession not just the job and then maybe, just maybe you may grow a few more brain cells, complete your modules and realise what a stupid post yours was.
Get some time in. Learn the profession not just the job and then maybe, just maybe you may grow a few more brain cells, complete your modules and realise what a stupid post yours was.
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dan, you will have to remain bemused. The younger generation can only be helped so much, the rest you will have to learn the had way.
Alber, I take very kindly to being insulted by strangers, especially for no reason whatsoever. Thank you very much.
Alber, I take very kindly to being insulted by strangers, especially for no reason whatsoever. Thank you very much.
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"The younger generation can only be helped so much, the rest you will have to learn the had way."
Are you for real or what?
what was the point in your post, to antagonise me? more of an ego boost? both clearly worked!
How have you constructively helped this thread at all, you haven't helped in the slightest and were has this age thing come from all of a sudden, this is a web site about aviation for professionals and for hobbies!
I would like to point out mind, this specific thread is about starting out in the industry and for the "might wise one" such as your self should be offering me and such likes advice, not put me down at the first chance you get.
I'm glad my engineers don't have the attitude you have for my sake.
Are you for real or what?
what was the point in your post, to antagonise me? more of an ego boost? both clearly worked!
How have you constructively helped this thread at all, you haven't helped in the slightest and were has this age thing come from all of a sudden, this is a web site about aviation for professionals and for hobbies!
I would like to point out mind, this specific thread is about starting out in the industry and for the "might wise one" such as your self should be offering me and such likes advice, not put me down at the first chance you get.
I'm glad my engineers don't have the attitude you have for my sake.