A&P . . . Over a long time

[Seth]

I attended the Department of Defencse open house at Adrews Air Force Base this past year (big DC air show every year) and struck up a conversation with a member of CAF - Commerative Air Force - who flew up in a T-6 and had it on display.  The conversation turned into "I wish I had logged all the work I've done over the past 40 years so I can just take a weekend course and get my A&P."  He then suggested I keep a log of everything I do with the airplane from oil changes, to washing the plane, to owner assisted annuals or other work.  And once I've accumulated enough hours, to get an A&P to sign of on it, take the weekend courses, pass the written and then practical tests, and I could earn my A&P. 

This got me thinking.  Obviously I wouldn't just open shop and say was an expert A&P should I go down that path, but to be able to do certain work and not have to get a signoff, that's not a bad idea - especially if 30 or 40 years from now I decide to restore a plane as a project.  Or if I do decide to open a small aviation business (best way to make a dollar in avaition is to start with $100), to be able to be my own A&P at first would be huge.  Of course, I'd still get outside help for ANY project over hmy head.

So I've started keeping log, but has anyone heard of this type of appraoch?  Is it legal?  I have not completed much research yet, and of course, I wouldn't be foolish with what I know I could take care of and what I can't, but it may be a good goal for years from now.

Collective wisdom, the gates are open.  Would love to hear comments.

Take care,

-Seth

[jetmech1972]

 

Experience Requirements to Become an Aircraft Mechanic

• 
  
• Print
  
• Email
  

You can get the experience you need to become a certified power plant or airframe mechanic in one of three ways.

1. 
   
2. 
   

   You can attend one of the 170 FAR part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools nationwide. These schools offer training for one mechanic’s certificate or both. Many schools offer avionics courses that cover electronics and instrumentation.

   
   

   You need a high school diploma or a General Education Diploma (GED) to get in to most schools. The schooling lasts from 12 months and 24 months, generally less than required by FAA for on-the-job training. When you graduate, you are qualified to take FAA's exams. Graduates often get higher starting salaries than individuals who got their required experience in one of the other two ways.

   
   
   
3. You can work an FAA Repair Station or FBO under the supervision of a certified mechanic for 18 months for each certificate, or 30 months for both. You must document your experience with pay receipts, a log book signed by your supervising mechanic, a notarized statement from your employer, or other proof you worked the required time.
   
4. 
   

   You can join one of the armed services and get training and experience in aircraft maintenance. Make sure you are in a military occupational specialty for which FAA gives credit. You can get a current list of acceptable specialties from the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

   
   

   You must present an official letter from your military employer certifying your length of service, the amount of time you worked in each specialties, the make and model of the aircraft or engine on which you got practical experience, and where you got the experience. You cannot count time you spent training for the specialty, only the time you spent working in the specialty.

   
   
   

With both types of on-the-job training you should set aside additional study time to prepare for the written and oral/practical tests. The FAA will give you credit for your practical experience only after we review your paperwork and you have a satisfactory interview with an FAA Airworthiness inspector.

This informatio was copied directly from the FAA site. If you have a long time friend who is an IA and over saw your work for the last few years he may be able to sign you off now. If not the cheapest route is a community college.

[KSMooniac]

I've heard of, and plan to follow the same approach, but I've been lazy and not logging my own supervised work over the last 4+ years.  I believe there is some latitude concern the number of *hours* required when you meet with the FAA, but this is on an individual basis.  You can get credit for relevant experience, having a pilot's license, and having an engineering degree, for example.

 

[Lionudakis]

I have signed off on a letter for a friend of mine, a southwest captain, who had restored several aircraft, overhauled engines, repaired a pa20 from a run-away accident, and building his own sheetmetal aircraft, and so on, all supervised. Myself and a few other IA's  signed a letter he wrote stating his involvement and experience on his own aircraft, with dates, tail numbers etc. over the years, took it to the fsdo, had a nice chat with one of our asi's (a nice guy) and he signed him off to take the test. He now has his a&p. 

[kortopates]

I personally went the part 147 Aviation Maintenance school - its offered at my local community college. I assume the weekend class is a joke, because this involved 5 semesters of full time class work after my day job - basically 4:30 to 11pm 4 out of 5 nights to do the full A&P. That's a semester for the General, then 2 semesters (or year) for the airframe and 2 for the powerplant. Of course this is full training program for the person without any prior experience.

I think the situtation that Lionudakis describes above is for pretty rare situations involving people that genuinely have gained years of experience. Typically having volunteered with organizations like the CAF or their local Aerospace museum that restores A/C. Much less likely I believe for a Mooney owner that hopes to build the required experience and knowledge working on their own a/c. I've met a few people that have gotten the letter of experience signed off. Fewer that have gotten FSDO sign off to take the exam and I have yet to know anyone that actually completed the writtens and practical. Alhtough I know they exist. The reason being I believe is the signoff is no substitute for the required knowledge. Both the written and practical will cover many topics that Mooney pilot would be unlikely to be exposed too working on his/her Mooney; such as wood and frabric, turbine engines and even helicopters. Thus one will still have to put much effort into studying for those areas tested on both the written and practicals. So my advice for anyone that that's seriously interested and understands the power and value of knowledge is to find a local community college aviation program and utilize it. Its time consuming but very affordable and extremely valuable.

[Lionudakis]

I do 100% agree with you. 

[eldeano]

I just started A&P school and I'm realizing there is a lot to it.  I have owned two planes and been around flying for a long time, which is an advandage, but I am really learning quite a bit.  I guess if you log enough time you could just memorize the answers for the test, but you still have to do a practicle.

[jetdriven]

I also plan to do the same thing. I am not sure how long it takes, Other forums, such as VAF and BeechTalk discuss this issue very thoroughly.  Working full time in an A&P shop for 30 months will do it, but working on your own aircraft part time is going to take a very long time.  I have worked on my airplane pretty extensively in the past 6 months but that's only about 130 hours. One pilot noted his FSDO wanted to see 4800 hours in his mechanic's logbook before signing him off.  Another built an RV airplane but they would not allow that experience, even though he logged all of it with builder's logs.  Perhaos one route is to get a light sport mechanic's certificate. You can do that with a 3 week, 120 hour course.  Then log all your experience working on LSA.  Perhaps if I get furloughed again I will work at a shop for a while to get the experience.  In that case the lost opportunity of not flying for a living for a year or two exceeeds the cost savings of paying someone to fix my airplane.

other spots where it is discussed.

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=34706&highlight=a%26p+test+experience

http://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=60658