From Pilot to Mechanic
Thread Starter
From Pilot to Mechanic
Anyone in the industry long enough will have run into numerous individuals who possess both pilot and mechanic licences and who employ these skill sets to varying degrees of effectiveness. 'Dual' qualifications are especially useful for remote area and offshore operations for example.
I am wondering though .. are there many who have chosen to switch careers to engineering (for non-medical reasons) having previously worked as a pilot?
I imagine there must be a sense of satisfaction in wheeling-out an aircraft knowing that the craft is ship-shape condition and ready to perform its duty!
I am wondering though .. are there many who have chosen to switch careers to engineering (for non-medical reasons) having previously worked as a pilot?
I imagine there must be a sense of satisfaction in wheeling-out an aircraft knowing that the craft is ship-shape condition and ready to perform its duty!
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Are you dreaming?
Engineers turn to Piloting for the cash, guaranteed time off, enviable employment conditions, a nice suit to wear down the pub and training enough to feel confident and be competent.
Engineer around the world are struggling to achieve any of the above. So if your Daddy left you enough cash to pay for it, Piloting is the way to go and don’t look back.
Engineers turn to Piloting for the cash, guaranteed time off, enviable employment conditions, a nice suit to wear down the pub and training enough to feel confident and be competent.
Engineer around the world are struggling to achieve any of the above. So if your Daddy left you enough cash to pay for it, Piloting is the way to go and don’t look back.
Thread Starter
As incomprehensible as it may seem in our 21st century I am aware that there are still a handful of professionals for whom top dollar is not their bottom line.
Moreover, in a large number of mid-to-large size helicopter operating companies the engineering remit is an immensely interesting and diversified field of expertise. Also, and in particular on contracts where aircraft are required to be fitted with specialist equipment, maintenance teams can become involved in complex flight/engineering development processes along with the ongoing support/development of those systems.
Perhaps imperceptible now but .. with the development of increasingly 'modular' maintenance and the growing overlap of flight and maintenance systems I would hazard a guess by suggesting that we may well see less of a 'gap' between operating (pilots) and maintenance (mechanics) in the future.
It is not impossible that someone who has been flying may discover an appeal for working on the ground with the aircraft's technical systems.
Moreover, in a large number of mid-to-large size helicopter operating companies the engineering remit is an immensely interesting and diversified field of expertise. Also, and in particular on contracts where aircraft are required to be fitted with specialist equipment, maintenance teams can become involved in complex flight/engineering development processes along with the ongoing support/development of those systems.
Perhaps imperceptible now but .. with the development of increasingly 'modular' maintenance and the growing overlap of flight and maintenance systems I would hazard a guess by suggesting that we may well see less of a 'gap' between operating (pilots) and maintenance (mechanics) in the future.
It is not impossible that someone who has been flying may discover an appeal for working on the ground with the aircraft's technical systems.
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I was an engineer and still am and also got a frozen ATPL.
Guess which one is paying the bills?
In some cases engineering pays better than flying, trust me I know.
Now, I would really look into the regulations and requirements and if you do want to become involved, I suggest you do a B1 and a B2 course
Guess which one is paying the bills?
In some cases engineering pays better than flying, trust me I know.
Now, I would really look into the regulations and requirements and if you do want to become involved, I suggest you do a B1 and a B2 course
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What about mult-rated pilot with engineering studies/exams? Myself.
Now there's something to choose from. I want to fly everything, but rotary is the best love affair.
I do want to get some mechanic/engineer experience on helicopters, but it's not easy to do both in some respect. One can't do two fulltime jobs if flying enough. Not the same for some utility in Canada, Australia etc.
I can't imagine B1.1 engineer flying fulltime as well. It's more of a divide in Europe than, let's say America or Australia and small turbine or piston gear.
I know plenty turbine airliners engineers who went to the front for the dreams, lifestyle and PAY. But that's not in Western Europe, mind you.
Being helicopter pilot and mechanic can be useful for lower time pilots in the job market, but the general advice I'm given is not to try both, for example in Canada, else I'd be slaving like a donkey.
It's very relative and broad. It depends on aircraft type, size, country, type and area of operations etc. Also the person and lifestyle.
Now there's something to choose from. I want to fly everything, but rotary is the best love affair.
I do want to get some mechanic/engineer experience on helicopters, but it's not easy to do both in some respect. One can't do two fulltime jobs if flying enough. Not the same for some utility in Canada, Australia etc.
I can't imagine B1.1 engineer flying fulltime as well. It's more of a divide in Europe than, let's say America or Australia and small turbine or piston gear.
I know plenty turbine airliners engineers who went to the front for the dreams, lifestyle and PAY. But that's not in Western Europe, mind you.
Being helicopter pilot and mechanic can be useful for lower time pilots in the job market, but the general advice I'm given is not to try both, for example in Canada, else I'd be slaving like a donkey.
It's very relative and broad. It depends on aircraft type, size, country, type and area of operations etc. Also the person and lifestyle.
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I believe Savoia was asking about switching from pilot to engineer, not trying to do both, although as has been said already, there are times when having both a pilot and engineering licence can be useful.
An old colleague of mine did switch to engineering a few years back although that was for medical reasons, he has done very well and still is. I see no reason not to switch if thats waht you want to do.
Gymble, you need to remove your head from the sand and look around. I'm sure as you say that in some places a pilot can make more than an engineer but it's not necessarily the norm and certainly not necessarily an easier game.
Where I work the pilots are on about 5K more than the engineers, (3K after tax) they work a lot more hours and a lot harder than the engineers do, my employment conditions are far better than the pilots here and I get quite a few more days off. And if I was to go freelance contracting, I could easily add another 10 -20K to my salary(I know, I have done it).
On top of that, there is an abundance of B1.3 jobs about at the moment as there is a shortage of licenced engineers(at least in western europe), so you can pretty much take your pick of locations. I dont think the same can be said for pilot jobs.
So Sevoia, if you're serious, go for it. It's a hard slog for a few years in order to get your engineers licence but if you can keep the cashflow going with some pilot work then it shouldn't pose a problem. In 5 years time you would have the best of both worlds and hopefully, no shortage of work.
Good luck
An old colleague of mine did switch to engineering a few years back although that was for medical reasons, he has done very well and still is. I see no reason not to switch if thats waht you want to do.
Gymble, you need to remove your head from the sand and look around. I'm sure as you say that in some places a pilot can make more than an engineer but it's not necessarily the norm and certainly not necessarily an easier game.
Where I work the pilots are on about 5K more than the engineers, (3K after tax) they work a lot more hours and a lot harder than the engineers do, my employment conditions are far better than the pilots here and I get quite a few more days off. And if I was to go freelance contracting, I could easily add another 10 -20K to my salary(I know, I have done it).
On top of that, there is an abundance of B1.3 jobs about at the moment as there is a shortage of licenced engineers(at least in western europe), so you can pretty much take your pick of locations. I dont think the same can be said for pilot jobs.
So Sevoia, if you're serious, go for it. It's a hard slog for a few years in order to get your engineers licence but if you can keep the cashflow going with some pilot work then it shouldn't pose a problem. In 5 years time you would have the best of both worlds and hopefully, no shortage of work.
Good luck
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Pilots getting more time off than engineers? It's obviously location & job specific. Where I work, it's rare to see an engineer, and even then none of them are licensed to work on my aircraft.
We usually start work well before the engineers' clock-on time and often get back long after they've clocked off, and also work many weekends, when they don't work at all.
As for rostering, As I'm on call 24/365, my days off are retrospective ones where they didn't get me airborne. Weekend off? I'll usually find out on Friday afternoon (i.e. the day before).
We usually start work well before the engineers' clock-on time and often get back long after they've clocked off, and also work many weekends, when they don't work at all.
As for rostering, As I'm on call 24/365, my days off are retrospective ones where they didn't get me airborne. Weekend off? I'll usually find out on Friday afternoon (i.e. the day before).
Having worked with Savoia, I can assure you that he was not averse to getting his hands dirty. Some of the conditions he endured working in Africa would have a large number running for home and mummy.
Try days in the bush chasing locusts and quelea birds. No aircon, poor food, malaria and lousy accomodation. Not to mention the chemicals. Atropine antidote anyone?
Actually surprised Savoia is still with us!!!!
Try days in the bush chasing locusts and quelea birds. No aircon, poor food, malaria and lousy accomodation. Not to mention the chemicals. Atropine antidote anyone?
Actually surprised Savoia is still with us!!!!
Last edited by ericferret; 1st May 2012 at 21:53.
Thread Starter
Ericferret: That was many moons ago indeed and yes, it was a less than ideal 'number' but (and as I am sure you would agree) a unique experience.
Just to set the record straight I am not looking to 'change' careers. I quit commerical flying in the mid-1990's and went into airline management with start-ups in Africa as well as one 'household' name (at least within the airline industry) in the Middle East. In more recent years I have taken-up my duty in what might best be described as the 'family business.'
I was (and am) genuinely interested to hear from anyone who has gone into engineering from the pilot's seat - for while there is no less responsibility .. engineering seems to offer a rewarding alternative to flying.
Just to set the record straight I am not looking to 'change' careers. I quit commerical flying in the mid-1990's and went into airline management with start-ups in Africa as well as one 'household' name (at least within the airline industry) in the Middle East. In more recent years I have taken-up my duty in what might best be described as the 'family business.'
I was (and am) genuinely interested to hear from anyone who has gone into engineering from the pilot's seat - for while there is no less responsibility .. engineering seems to offer a rewarding alternative to flying.
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If I did not have both pilot and engineering qualifications I would not, could not, be doing what I do now. I have had a great life in aviation thanks to having more than one string to my bow.
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So, how does one get B1.3 relevant job/work placement, with B1.1 exams and no experience as engineer to speak of, in Europe? I could get bit of Robinson maintenance coming summer, and will sit the heli EASA module if needed.
It seems to me that unless one gets apprentice spot with AW or EC, it ain't easy in the UK, at least. I'd have it easier to break into with B1.4 stuff I presume.
How does one get job if the companies advertise for 3-5yrs of experience and type rating on turbine helicopters as engineer? Bit of Catch-22.
It seems to me that unless one gets apprentice spot with AW or EC, it ain't easy in the UK, at least. I'd have it easier to break into with B1.4 stuff I presume.
How does one get job if the companies advertise for 3-5yrs of experience and type rating on turbine helicopters as engineer? Bit of Catch-22.
All that is possible in case you run own or within family business.
All other cases hard to be feasible. I know only one guy in Italy
who have both but he is not current on type like 66 B1, and no B2
All other cases hard to be feasible. I know only one guy in Italy
who have both but he is not current on type like 66 B1, and no B2
I started B1.3, then B1.2 and finally B1.1. But I got those through the A&C routes - a bit simpler in those days.
I have two friends who had/have pilots licences:
1. Was originally an engineer, tried piloting but went back to Eng for the money. Yes, the money.
2. Was originally an Eng became a pilot because he could and then started his own company, doing the check flights himself - because it was cheaper that way and he got the hours in. He doesn't do that now.
I have two friends who had/have pilots licences:
1. Was originally an engineer, tried piloting but went back to Eng for the money. Yes, the money.
2. Was originally an Eng became a pilot because he could and then started his own company, doing the check flights himself - because it was cheaper that way and he got the hours in. He doesn't do that now.
