A&P Questions

[LongbowDriver]

The FAA recognizes specific Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), and these Soldiers experience requirements are met and openly accepted nearly automatically.  I however, am not in one of those accepted MOS codes.  I am a Maintenance Test Pilot (MTP), Instructor Pilot, and Maintenance Examiner (ME), which allows and/or requires me to be a Technical Inspector.  For 10years I've been doing this and I will do it for at least another 7 years before military retirement. I don't actually turn any wrenches, but I am required to supervise and inspect/sign-off work done on any/all areas of my aircraft.  Engines, airframe, electronics, avionics, weapons systems. I've supervised inspected and signed off complete teardown and rebuilds of our turbine engines, even complete teardown and buildup of our entire aircraft during phase maintenance.  Afterwards I then am in charge of completing any maintenance operational checks on the ground followed by a test flight to ensure the systems are functioning normally and ultimately verify the overall airworthiness of the aircraft.  

I have no practical experience in the GA world.  Never torn down a Lycoming or worked on a piston powered aircraft, or any actual airplane at all.  Only the Apache helicopter.

So my question is, does any of my experience count towards the required 30months for A&P experience?  How does this get documented?    

[flight2000]

Best answer I can give is call the FAA FSDO that is closest to your current location and talk to them about what may qualify and how to document that experience.  They are the best resource.  Their are certain MOS's that will apply, but not sure if the maintenance warrants fall into that category.  In the mean time, here's a good place to start.  It will make your head hurt....

http://fsims.faa.gov/wdocs/8900.1/v05 airman cert/chapter 05/05_005_002rev1.htm

B.    Evaluating Military Experience. With exception to the JSAMTCC A&P certification program experience gained from the military, work as an airframe or powerplant mechanic, or work on an experimental, amateur-built aircraft will receive evaluations on its own merits to determine whether it fulfills the experience requirements. When evaluating military experience, ASIs and ASTs are not to accept MOSs, AFSCs, or NECs “carte blanche” as qualifications to experience as per § 65.77. Even if the MOS suggests authorization for the airframe, powerplant, or both A&P certificates, the inspector will only endorse FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, after ensuring, by a thorough interview and detailed review of records, that the person qualifies under § 65.77.

Cheers and good luck!

Brian

P.S. I'm a former 67R (now 15R) that didn't know better and failed to apply for an A&P before getting a Green-to-Gold Scholarship.....

[Sqrtree]

Interesting question. 30 years ago when I went thru A&P school, I had several classmates that had previous air force experience. One had 6 years F16 fuel system experience and he got some credit towards the program. He still had to go thru the other airframe and power plant classes...i.e..piston engine. A coworker of mine had 4 years navy as a power plant mechanic and he tested out of that portion of the classes.  He had ojt documents and qualifications on aircraft that he worked.   Found an interesting article from a few years back that may shed some light on the subject.  Hope this helps.  Definitely document everything you can get your hands on and keep it forever. The FAA is like the IRS.  

 

https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/maintenance_hf/library/documents/media/human_factors_maintenance/evaluation_of_us_military_amt_training_and_experience.pdf