How difficult is it to attain an A&P license?

Question

Ex-Navy AD2 with 4.5 years as a powerplant mechanic.

Answer 1

In short, you have to get permission from the faa to take the exams for an A&P license in the form of FAA form 8610-2.  Then you must take three written tests.  These consist of a General exam an Airframe exam and a Powerplant exam.  These exams encompass all forms of aviation from helicopter to jets from reciprocating engines to different types of turbine engines.  It will also include everything from electrical theory to how flight controls work on a helicopter to doing a compression check on a reciprocating engine.  When you manage to pass these, then you go and take your oral and practical exams with a DME.  These tests can be anywhere from 8 hours to two days.  It just depends on how well you do and who your examiner is.  You might want to check out www.faa.gov and click on the become a mechanic link.  I got mine through Caroline Aeronautical.  I took the two week prep course and didn't have to much difficulty.  If I, being an avionics technician, can do it, then a mech. should be able to at the very least pass the powerplants portions of the exams.  Google A&P courses and schools.  Contact one of them or the local FSDO in your area for more information.

Answer 2

Call your local FSDO ffice. You can probably get the "P" by showing your military experience. The "A," unless you can show you nhad at least 18 months of airframe expeience, may not be as easy.

Ask the FAA inspector what they require and if they want you to get..say..12 months experience, in airframes, go to a small airport nearby and work for the FBO to get your required time.

Good luck

Answer 3

the faa accepts navy training as good for obtaining a license however you only were a powerplant mechanic so obtaining the "P" by itself through experience is possible but you have to buy the training manuals called ASA's  for general and powerplant you cannot pass the oral test without it. then they may require you to go to an a&p school for airframe. dont worry. unless you choose spartan school of aeronautics most schools are very inexpensive and they do accept the GI bill. for airframe alone it is only 6 to 7 months. it would be helpful to know where you are at and maybe i could lead you in the right direction