"My point was that they are not ALLOWED to think for themselves.

I was constantly frustrated by the system when working US reg aircraft."

Really...... Well, Like I said, that's not the way it is done from my experience. Did you work for a US airline or was your employer contracted to undertake the maintenance on the US registered aircraft? If the latter is so, then that is where the difference is. I work for a US airline and can accomplish all of the items that I mentioned previously without any outside interference. As I said earlier, I am expected to use my own knowledge, training and skill to safely maintain the aircraft IAW the approved documents/manuals.

If you work for a contracted maintenance organisation, then you will have restrictions and limitations to work that you can and cannot perform, on other operators aircraft using their procedures. I know that the US system is different in some respects, but to say that A+P certified mechs/techs (there is no difference) cannot think for themselves is not at all true, believe me.....

Well that's cleared that up.

Still doesn't explain though how an unlicensed individual can get an A&P in 3 days, just by memorising the answers..

Q1...B

Q2..C

Q3..A


I have seen this happen. When the individual was asked the same questions without having the multi choice answers in front of him the answers given were still..

B, C, A.


They were unable to give a verbal answer to the question.:eek:

So, is this dumbing down??

Back tracking a bit here, but I believe it is possible to get a UK issued JAR license using cloak and dagger means too.

You initially apply to tha CAA, then take your exams in, for example, Switzerland, (a full B1 course was at the time just seven weeks, including exams, and I didn't hear of anybody failing!)

You then submit your pass certificates to the CAA, who are of course obliged to accept them, and voila, you have a UK issued license.

I worked in Switzerland, and my licensed collegues included an ex bus driver, an ex cleaner, an ex school teacher,and even one guy who's previous job was, I'm led to believe, flipping burgers at Mc Donalds.

So, even with the UK issued licenses, all that glitters is not neccessarily gold.

Tchuss