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A&P certification/license for Engineers helpful?
Hi all, I just wanted to know if it has any benefits to study and get a license for A&P even if you have an engineering degree. I recently graduated from mechanical engineering and wants to pursue a career in aviation in the united states. Unfortunately, I do not have any experience yet and my internship was from another country and is not related to aviation whatsoever. I'm deciding whether to study A&P and hoping It can help me enter the aviation industry and land me an engineering job. Will it help me in anyway? Any opinions? Thanks in advance.
Re: A&P certification/license for Engineers helpful?
If you work for a company like Lockheed or Northrup Grumman then I would say don't bother. But when you get involved in anything civilian like Boeing or Textron it might not be a bad idea to have one. What aspect of aviation are you looking to get into?
Re: A&P certification/license for Engineers helpful?
Hi, thanks for your reply. I'm interested on applying for commercial planes like boeing etc. Although lockheed martin and such wouldn't be a bad idea aswell. Do you have any suggestions for me to be able to land a good chance of getting into one. I saw some forums saying that the A&P wouldn't matter given the things at stake such as the time and money to get them and would really much help me in getting that job. Thanks
Re: A&P certification/license for Engineers helpful?
Well as long as you don't have limitations on where you will live there are plenty of opportunities at Lockheed Martin. We are in a constant state of hiring between here in Marietta and Fort Worth. Just apply at http://search.lockheedmartinjobs.com/
As for the A&P, it's really only useful if you are literally turning wrenches on civilian aircraft. As an engineer you won't typically be doing that.
As for the A&P, it's really only useful if you are literally turning wrenches on civilian aircraft. As an engineer you won't typically be doing that.
Re: A&P certification/license for Engineers helpful?
Thank You for your response Andre3K. I'd really be glad if I get accepted.
Re: A&P certification/license for Engineers helpful?
The Triad I wish I had been able to pursued would have been an engineering degree, and an FAA rating of A&P mechanic and pilot.
Re: A&P certification/license for Engineers helpful?
Having an A&P would be a nice resume booster for an engineer, and might distinguish you enough to get certain positions (if the hiring manager values practical experience). However, it's certainly not a requirement. If I had to guess, at my employer (civil aircraft manufacturer) only 1% or so of the engineers are actual A&Ps; my department is disproportionately heavy with them because we work in-service support instead of new product design. A few more like myself have some light airplane experience with homebuilts, but that's about it.
I would encourage you, though, to still try to get some practical/hands-on experience with something, whether it's airplanes, or cars, or boats, or construction, or whatever. And try to build up a good relationship with the guys on the floor wherever you work. You'll learn things and it'll make you a better engineer. Too many engineers think their fecal matter does not have an offensive odor because they have a fancy expensive piece of paper and don't get their hands dirty; don't be that guy.
You might find that your future employer will cover the costs of getting your A&P. Mine will, and they even promoted the chance to do so in partnership with a local tech college. However, the catch is that the school's A&P program is extremely rigid thanks to the FAA policy on how such schools will be run, and the only way to go through the program is to take a full course load Monday to Friday, 8 to 5. There's no option for part-time classes, no option for night classes, and the FAA has no option for auditing/testing-out of material. You have to physically account for every hour of class. And the industry wonders why there's a shortage of new A&Ps
I would encourage you, though, to still try to get some practical/hands-on experience with something, whether it's airplanes, or cars, or boats, or construction, or whatever. And try to build up a good relationship with the guys on the floor wherever you work. You'll learn things and it'll make you a better engineer. Too many engineers think their fecal matter does not have an offensive odor because they have a fancy expensive piece of paper and don't get their hands dirty; don't be that guy.
You might find that your future employer will cover the costs of getting your A&P. Mine will, and they even promoted the chance to do so in partnership with a local tech college. However, the catch is that the school's A&P program is extremely rigid thanks to the FAA policy on how such schools will be run, and the only way to go through the program is to take a full course load Monday to Friday, 8 to 5. There's no option for part-time classes, no option for night classes, and the FAA has no option for auditing/testing-out of material. You have to physically account for every hour of class. And the industry wonders why there's a shortage of new A&Ps
Re: A&P certification/license for Engineers helpful?
Another thing, is there an A&P school near you? Many have discontinued theirs because airlines aren't hiring much. As was said before, you're looking at 2 years to get one, plus tuition, tools, etc. In any case, an engineering manager probably doesn't know what an A&P is. Plus, much of what they teach is irrelevant today.
Re: A&P certification/license for Engineers helpful?
Lpbri wrote:Plus, much of what they teach is irrelevant today.
That was true 4o years ago, as well. However, having an A&P gives you the authority to perform and log book sign off minor repairs, alterations and maintenance.
Re: A&P certification/license for Engineers helpful?
One more reason to get an A&P (AMT): great plan B, with airline perks (valuable if you like to travel).
Get it while you're in school, full-time. Don't wait.
Is fixing things in your genes? Do you wrench now, e.g. cars, motorcycles, bicycles? If not, you may not like an A&P job.
As I tell my students, travel to places where you are a non-native speaker is a non-credit course in common sense.
Get it while you're in school, full-time. Don't wait.
Is fixing things in your genes? Do you wrench now, e.g. cars, motorcycles, bicycles? If not, you may not like an A&P job.
As I tell my students, travel to places where you are a non-native speaker is a non-credit course in common sense.
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