I have been a petrol & diesel tech now for 14 yrs.what options do i have to become an aviation tech or pilot?

Question

I have been a petrol & diesel tech now for 14 yrs.what options do i have to become an aviation tech or pilot?

Answer 1

What options? You have the option of doing it, or not doing it. Now, if you meant "opportunities", there are many since there is a general shortage of experienced pilots and maintenance personnel worldwide. The key word here is qualified. I'm guessing from your statement that you must be about 30-35 years old, in which case you probably also have a family. If this is the case, the problem with starting a career in aviation is that it is very expensive and takes about two  years to become qualified as a mechanic via a tech school, and about a year to reach the minimum qualifications as a commercial pilot. And then the starting wages are quite low in either occupation and there is a lot of competetion for jobs,  so if you can afford to go through 4-5 years of re-education and low wages before you will be employed in an aviation career making the same salary you are probably making right now, go for it.

Answer 2

You'll have to go back to school and start over from scratch.  

If you've got a nice sized bank account built up it'll help, but figure about a year of full-time training to become a commercial pilot, and two to three years to become a licensed aircraft mechanic.

I don't have web links for training in the UK, but here's info about similar training in the USA.

Answer 3

Just don't bring the automotive attitude with you to aviation. that kills people. ahh that's close enough, wheres my ratchet? did I tighten that? If you are a perfectionist and proud of your work you will be great.

Answer 4

Some schools and employers will give some credit for work experience, even automotive/diesel.  When I went to school, they gave basic credits and my airline would give some credit for auto/diesel mechanics (you had to have a total of 36 months experience to be a full mechanic).

If you genuinely love aircraft and want to work on them and fly them, then go for it.  But if you are just looking for a better job then keep looking.  The aviation business isnt what it use to be and it could even get worse.