How do I become an Aircraft Inspector?

Question

I have experience as an Aviation Electrician in the Navy for 5 years, What would the quickest route be to get my A&P license? I did have qualifications to do daily inspections and was close to becoming a Collateral Duty Inspector.

If I can take a refresher and then just go take a test Where would I take the test?

Answer 1

Go to your local FAA office with your training records and see if it qualifies for it then you can go to federal exams to take the cram test for it (about a week). Insp will take longer to get. From my personnel experience I still would go to a A&P school.

Answer 2

As a inspector myself I can tell you if your military code MOS or AFAS is on the list of military codes the FAA has in their Order 8900.1 a FAA maintenance inspector can endorse you FAA Form 8610-2 to take the required tests.

I happen to run my own aviation web site and under Mechanic’s Tool Box you will find a list of military specialty codes by branch or service to see if your will work.

If you don’t have one of the required coded you can also use work experience in accordance with Title 49 Part 65.  This is explained on my web site in great detail.  If you need addition assistance you can contact me through my web site.

Answer 3

You might have to take a regular civilian A&P course, i know an ex-navy guy that has to do the same thing even though he did a lot of it in the service. Some of your training can apply though, so you need to go the the local FAA office(FSDO) to see how much would apply.  To obtain and 'Inspection Authorization' you need 3 years working full time as an A&P.  Here is an FAA link explaining what you need to do, and a link to an article about a transtion program for military guys going civilian.  I don't know much about that though.

http://www.faa.gov/mechanics/become/expe...

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/gentrng/a...