A&P Written exam scores - important?
 

Hi all, I am new to the forum. I am an A&P student, about 4 months out from completing my schooling. I just took my written General and Powerplant last week and will be taking my O&P for General and Powerplant next week (yikes!).


I did quite well on the written General, but not quite as well on the written Powerplant (in the B grade range). I know that I have the option to retest and have the second score be the one that goes into my records. I am sure I can do better on a retake.


So, my question: will it make any difference wrt job prospects if I get a higher score? Do employers care, or even check? The downside is spending another $165, and the time to re-prepare.

Goverment Tests
 

All Government Tests are Pass / Fail. If you passed you passed. Same with the FCC GROL Tests. No worries.

no...
 

Jenn,


No, actual scores mean nothing. There is no GPA listed once you receive your certificate. It's pass/fail just as MC replied. And no, employer's don't care on test results. It has always been said, at least on our side of the pond, that an A&P certificate was a "license" to learn. The best investment you can make is after you are hired, work hard and volunteer for anything...and see if there is an ancient mechanic around that will impart their wisdom to you...be sure to take notes!


Good luck.


W1

The one thing employers look for is experience, being a new A&P. As stated prior you have a license to learn. Put your all into learning. I've been around aircraft maintenance since I graduated H.S. some 35+ years ago. Worked on jets, Turbo props, floatplanes





What you need to do is figure what you want to do with your license. Part 91, Part 121 or Part 135, type of work. You can have a lot of fun, the money at times is not the best. That comes with experience.

Have fun learning http://www.pprune.org/images/infopop/icons/icon7.gif

Thanks!
 

Thank you to all who replied and sorry for the slow follow up - got a bit buried in exam prep. The good news is, I now have my Powerplant! As for where I want to go with it, I am most interested in Part 121 operations. I have an internship lined up at Delta for starters, but at the moment their job prospects aren't great for my location. So, decisions, decisions ...


Now to find that old, grizzled mechanic to learn from :)

First Job
 

When you first get you're A&P and looking for your first civilian job. You need to do whatever it takes to get hired. As soon as you start putting limits on yourself IE, Location, type of operation, work hours or type of aircraft. You are setting yourself up for failure. Until you get in the business and make some contacts.

Everyone I know did this including myself. I got out of the Air Force with an A&P and FCC with 10 years of experience. I was in Florida working helicopters. And wanted to go work helicopters in the Gulf Of Mexico. But nobody would hire me.

So I started expanding my search. Until I finally found a small avionics company that would hire me. I ended up wasting about 6 months searching for my dream job. And finally took any job.

Here is a some other aviation maintenance forums. To help give you an idea of what's going on out there. Also for jobs. This is the best online listing.

www.forums.amtcentral.com

www.aircraftmechanic.org/forum.php

www.jsfirm.com

Good luck

As MC stated, get hired. Get experience-even 6 months can be enough in some cases. Then look for right location etc. Back in the day, airline recruiters would tell new mechanics to go work helicopters in the GOM for 6mos then call them back. And they would always take a few extra guys back with them.
Its not quite the same now, but the basic practical experience they got on hyds, engines, drivetrains, etc in that time was enough to get them hired by the majors. I was tempted a few times but I preferred helicopters.
If you really want to raise the bar, also pursue experience on avionics/electrical. GOOD avionics techs with an A&P are a commodity. Throw in good computer skills and you will be able to pick and choose your dream job after a few years.
If you push yourself, you'll be sitting on a gold mine as the baby boomers start retire in mass. Follow MC's advice and look for the job first. Your internship at Delta would be an excellent place to start since you already have it lined. Once at delta start asking a million questions to those people there.
Good luck.
W1