What other career options are there
 

Civilian aviation is proving very hard to break into at the moment. I am looking at doing some weekend contract work but really need to leave my current RAAF position before I am posted out.

So what options are there for an AME? Something to do with turbine maintenance perhaps?

I am in Australia any suggestions welcome?

G'day,

Judging by the dearth of responses to your question, I think you can see that not only is it hard to get into civil aviation today, but probably will be for the forseeable future.

Could I suggest evaluating your skills and talents and using your remaining time in the mob to getting some training/education in a different career field to broaden your potential. At least consider the avionics world because you might have more options that way than just engine work and of course aircraft today are avionic everything.

Avionics could give you openings in GA. local component overhaul or airlines; whereas major engine maintenance has tended to be outsourced to a few big players, and I'm not sure if there any dunnunder. The Kiwis used to have a GE partnership for Pacific engine work when they had DC10's but I don't know if that's still going.

I did my apprenticeship at Fishermans Bend and ended up having to go to the UK for an airline job when I'd done my time, so I understand your predicament.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

There is a chance I am going to be medically discharged from the RAAF so retraining there is not a strong possibility.

I had previously considered re-training in the avionics area.

Ah if I had only known 8 years ago what I know now perhaps I would have done my trade as an electrician.

too flamin' right................

Good luck mate.

You could try the Electrical Power Generation or Marine Engine industries - both of which use turbines.
Someone with an electromechanical knowledge could easily 'switch' into the renewable energy systems.

The world's your oyster...enjoy it.

You might want to look into possible employment opportunities in Australia's offshore oil and gas industry. After more than 20 years in aviation, I'm now working as an ROV pilot/technician offshore UK and Norway. Things aren't that great over here, but I understand that the Australian sector is growing in size and has a very strong union (MUA ??) who have achieved much over the years in protecting jobs for Australians. They have also negotiated some good rates of pay for maritime and offshore workers. We need that kind of union over here!
Of course, to work offshore, you need to be able to pass the medical and complete the safety/survival training.

Door knock the turbine shops in your area.

Be prepared to prove you can do the work, RAAF qualifications are not taken at face value.

Very few make the transition from RAAF to GA, I left the RAAF 18 years ago and now I am self employed 5 trades Lame so it can be done.

Airline turbine shops are the easiest place for RAAF engine fitters to find a start but only if you can really do the job.

Forget about the advice to go Avionics unless you have time to gain significant experience before leaving.

Good luck

Wind turbines; not sure if you've got many in OZ but thats what im doing now after being made redundant last year. Average money but interesting work with lott's of travel.