Aircraft engineer (Mechanical).?

Question

I've been working as a vehicle mechanic now for about 6 years, but I'm bored as it is not callenging enough. What qualifications will I need to change to a career in aircraft mechanics, and what subjects are beneficial. Could you also recommend any good books or websites. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

try the air force. or if you have an airfield near you go and ask if they have any jobs. i learnt on the job when i left school as a trainee aircraft engineer working for a local flying school servicing the single engined aircraft.

Don't do it now tho as the money was c**p. free flying lessons were good tho.

Answer 2

if you are still young enough then go to the Air Force or Army Air or the Fleet Air Arm.

Suck the mop for a while in Basic and you will learn a good trade. Remember though that they will train youu on military stuff, and the airlines go a slightly different way. The cargo in the forces goes bang, with airlines it can complain

Answer 3

You have to go to airframe and powerplant school. Even repiorcating engines in aircraft are different. In some ways they are more old fashioned than modern cars. In others cars have never got that far. It usually takes two to three years and even most military trained mechanics have to go. The reason is the FAA requires so much knowledge and military is fairly specialized. Experience in the military or defense companies helps of course. But not many of the worlds miltaries operate fabric covered biplanes today.....The FAA requires you have those type of skills. Aviation is a complicated field. At a big airline you may be assigned to do nothing but work in a tire cage and change tires but still be required to have an Airframe and Powerplant license to be hired. It is hard to kill yourself changing a car tire. But because of size and higher pressures you can cut yourself in two if you change an airplanes wrong. It is very easy to get killed or seriously injured around aircraft. I once saw a guy killed walking carefully around an aircraft it barely moved as he crossed in front of the wing and the pitot tube speared him in the eye into his brain. Propellor accidents are the most common and almost always fatal or life long disability. On helicopters just forgetting how to approach one on a slope with the main blades rotating can cost your head and people forget the tail rotors many, many, times. Especially in darkness. That said it is often boring. In fact most accidents happen because people are bored and/or tired. Private schools cost a lot but there are some public out there almost as good. Tarrant County Colleges program in Fort Worth, Texas is one of the best. Floyd Curtis is the dean of the program call him and see what he says......

Answer 4

I don't think you're in the U.S., but over here you can enroll in and A&P program.  We have a few auto guys in our class and aircraft have a lot of the same mechanics/systems as cars, but planes use older technology.  Airframe and turbines will new though.  I guess if you're not in the U.S. this doesn't help much, but good luck anyway.