"Helping you live your aviation dreams." INSPIRE - TEACH - EXPLORE
I'm Matt, a husband, father, pilot, and mechanic currently working as an A&P Apprentice.
I started this channel while I was shopping for an aircraft for the family and I to enjoy. Doing my research with other aviation videos, I noticed far too many comments by people saying "I'd love to do this, but I can't." Here I was, just a regular guy, working hard to pursue my aviation dreams. I learned a long time ago that saying "I can't" is THE way to make sure you never will. (And had done so myself for FAR too long.)
So, I bought a project aircraft, worked on it in my garage, flew it and this blossomed into my new career as an aircraft mechanic.
You can do it! When you have doubts in the future, remember this moment and why you started down this path. Something I remind myself when it gets hard...
Thanks so much - excellent video; I am using these behind the electric brake backing plates on my camping trailer (Aliner). My old wiring method kept leading to fractured wire connections.
Absolutely! They're pretty robust and should have no problems in your application. Just make sure the wiring harness is secured properly and isn't bouncing around. I see the same issue a lot in my day job.
Honestly, the best way to do it is to find out what airports and maintenance shops you have around you and call them. Ask to speak with their director of maintenance about an apprenticeship. (Timing is everything as I've talked to a few who had just hired one and didn't need me. ) If they do have an opportunity, now you have to sell yourself. What makes you different from other applicants? Do you have any aviation or similar mechanical experience? Do other mechanics already know you and would give you a recommendation? General aviation is a small community most DOMs know each other. Most (not all) turbine operations won't take on an apprentice. It's easier to get on with a smaller piston shop. If they have a flight school and part 135 charter certificate, that's icing on the cake.
Also, I talk more about what I did and how I set myself apart in this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kL3P3GIsFTA.htmlsi=hH51JZjM5yAtgj5R
I needed to hear this. I'm 40 and currently studying for the supplemental AMEL in Canada. Self-doubt kicks in at times and think I should just stay in IT. But aircraft maintenance is my passion
Good to hear, that's awesome! 👍 I know what you mean, but it's satisfying to break away from what's "safe" in pursuit of what you love. Let us know how you're getting along in the future. I want to learn more about how Canada does it too.
I've absolutely added more tools, now I just need a bigger box. I have 2 more videos coming up, one I just have to finish editing. 2nd is viewer recommended tools.
Cool! We've had a couple students come through from Penn Tech. Both got a basic tool set and small rolling cabinet from snap on. It's a good start but definitely not everything you'll need. Does your school have someone like that?
Maybe. Aviation is a huge field, it's really up to you. If you've gone as far as you can where you are and are unhappy, time to find the next opportunity.
Being Auto Mechanic/ Electrician for over 12+ years now I decided to go with Aircraft Mechanic… looking to see if I can get an apprenticeship position like you or go to school!? Not sure which way to go… I’m 35 and was thinking it’s too late to go with Aircraft Mechanic but after watching your videos now I know for sure I want to go with it! Thanks buddy
Yup, definitely not too late! I was 37 when I finally broke into aviation. If you can handle the bills and family life balance, school is a good option. Otherwise, being an apprentice at least lets you get paid to learn. You won't start out making much, but raises will come after you prove yourself. I'm glad these videos helped, let us know what you end up doing.
Awesome! Hey, it counts as aviation experience and should help you get a foot in the door somewhere. My boss is reluctant to hire anyone that doesn't have at least some experience even if it isn't directly mechanic.
Hey Matt, good to see your well on your way. I really don’t know how our aircraft mechanics apprenticeships here in Alberta but most construction trade apprenticeships require about 1560 hrs of on the job work followed by 8 weeks of full time schooling at a tech college per year, again quite a few being 4 year programs. In both electrical and Instrumentation your final year is 12 weeks of school and two major tests at the end, a TQ(trades qualification) test and your Red Seal, which allows you to carry your ticket across provincial borders and tends to be a little tougher. So about 6240 hrs of on the job work and 36 weeks of full time schooling. Needless to say to say, pretty big party once it’s all successfully done. 😃
Wow, suddenly I don't feel so bad about mine. 😆 It's 4,800 hours of on the job and then I'm choosing to use a 2 week program to finish up. But in reality, you could study for and take an the tests on your own. But I think a proven program is worth the cost. Good to see ya Wally, thanks!
Awesome! 👍👍👍 How have those first 6 months been for you? Similar to my experience or different? I'm putting the finishing touches on my 18 month video now.
Unfortunately I can't give you an exact answer as I don't own the Sonex anymore. From memory, 3 1/2" maximum of travel should work for you. The main concern is that the slide is able to move from stop to stop.
I agree 110%! 👍 This was the original style of CDI board, a prototype really. The current version is better in every way and something I tell people to check when considering a revmaster. Thanks!
@@LeftSeatAdventures yeah, I’ve been LSA for some time now, but it’s pushing me to go ultralight, for my own plane ownership, it’s just not cost-effective anymore, especially with the limited amount of time that you actually get to fly. Time will tell, but it’s either gonna be a shared plane ownership or ultralight for me down the road I can see.
I just bought into a equity share based flying club myself. The costs are split across the members and the hourly rate is a steal for around here. Not every club is created equal so definitely do your research beforehand. I also considered going ultralight too before this opportunity fell in my lap.
I've had the amazing opportunity to get into aviation maintenance as soon as i started high-school. I've also recently had the awesome chance to work for Gulfstream as an avionics technicians apprentice. Today marks my 17th birthday. I would recommend that everyone gives aviation a shot. It's an amazing field and the pay out is a nice add on 😉
As a European I would go for a modern European engine. Rotax is the king, but over complex, and expensive. Despite the cost I think the basic UL260i would be superb in a Sonex. Fuel injection, FADEC, air cooling and direct drive at slightly lower RPM than a VW, so the prop can be more efficient. I like VW adaptions, but I think they all could be improved more. Develop a good sequential fuel injection system for them. Forget turbo. Is it possible to make a new crankshaft with integral prop flange ? I hope Aerovee are using nicer cylinder heads now than I have seen on a friend's Aerovee. The casting quality was not nice. Many airways in the cooling fins were blocked. The induction system looks like it could have smoother airflow with little difficulty in design or manufacture. Improve the Aerovee, and I would put it up there with UL.
All good points. The VW conversion could stand to have some upgrades. Revmaster is the only one I'm aware of with the extra oiled bearing on the crankshaft, you never hear about them snapping. They have electronic ignition and pm alternators (I personally had issues with both) but no fuel injection yet. Fit and finish can be better than others I've seen. I don't know how they're doing as a company, but the MW Fly engine looked interesting. Believe they were from Italy
I’m about to start an new apprenticeship program for a major air cargo company and I have an amazon AMT log book,but this one that you have recommended is completely different from what I was finding online.
Congrats on getting the apprenticeship! 👍 Yes it is different. I created that logbook after having both the ASA and random Amazon logbooks. The ASA is professional but you can only use half of it as an apprentice. The Amazon books were clearly made by people who don't do the job. You can literally buy the logbook template online, create a cover, and sell them and know nothing about it. I log everything first on my phone and weekly back it up. Then log in the physical book which is what the FAA wants to see for your 8610s. Good luck with the new job, and thank you for getting the logbook!
Do airlines normally have tools you can sign in/out like torque wrenches, tire pressure gauges, borescopes and equipment that you'll need to work on aircraft that come through that airport? Also thanks for making this, I learned a lot and I'll be adding these to my collection 👍
Absolutely! 👍 I'm not 100% sure about the airlines. I know some people keep a small toolbox of basic tools and then the shop provides everything else. In our shop, torque wrenches and other special tools are provided for us. Torque wrenches specifically need to be calibrated yearly, so it's good we don't have to worry about that part. It is good to build up your own set of tools though. Getting your A&P opens a lot of doors to a lot of different opportunities both on and off the job.
Yes, yes they should be. I guess they don't have to be perfect on a yard kart, but for an airplane they really should be. I will say the newest versions have more attention to detail than when Sonex first started using them. But when I build, I'll be upgrading to the matcos instead.
I get it, felt like that with other jobs before. What kind of aircraft do you work on and what brought you to this point? It's good for people considering this field to hear what you have to say.
The local EAA Chapter which I belong to has a fellow who bought a already built Onex. When the A&Ps and IAs in the chapter started looking close at it they found all kinds of problems. It was decided by the owner to fix all the problems. Turned out to be a complete rebuild. There was an aluminum plate, the main spar as I require, had a 3/8" bolt that was drilled in half and another bolt installed perpendicular to the 3/8" bolt! So be careful and look very close at any experimental aircraft you are thinking about buying.
That is the standard in a lot of places including the military. Many people who use power tools do in fact over tighten hardware. (I see examples of this regularly.) However, in the shop I work for, it's expected to use power tools with the clutch turned down limiting torque. Additional tightening can be done by hand.
I needed to hear this. I’m 52 and thinking of trying something totally new. Retired Military, twelve years of Federal Service and am now looking to do better for my family. Thank you so much
As long as you’re committed it’s not too late. One of my instructors at my school became an A&P at 42 and instructing in his 50s and he loves it. He says it’s not about the money for him it’s the fun he has doing the job. The school is tough but the instructors push you to succeed. We’re all mostly Vets at my school but the entire field is full of vets. I’m in my 30s but there’s all age ranges in the school. I’d say go for it!
What is the difference between an Experimental Exhibition and an Experimental Amateur build? What are the differences in restrictions and reporting requirements?
It comes down to what you plan on doing with the aircraft. Experimental exhibition is only for a specific purpose like air shows, flight testing something new and different, camera ships. If you want to build your own airplane to enjoy and share flying it, you're registering it as an E-AB. Start here: www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/sp_awcert/experiment
@@LeftSeatAdventuresThank you. I own an Experimental Exhibition aircraft and am trying to sell it. someone was interested in buying it, but then, when he realized it was an exhibition, he pulled back and mentioned that he wanted amateur built because of the restrictions and reporting requirements. I am trying to find what restrictions are there that make my airplane less attractive to buyers.
Uh oh. Sorry to hear that, I honestly don't know all the ins and outs of the exhibition category. What aircraft is it? I'd say you could talk to your local FSDO and the Aircraft manufacturer about it.
Agree fully with everything you said there! When I was doing my Instrumentation apprenticeship in my late twenties, early thirties, I had a couple classmates who were in their early fifties and they did fine. Having said that, I sure found that even in my thirties I seemed to struggle more with the learning than I did when I did my electrical apprenticeship in my late teens, early twenties fresh out of high school. That gap of 7-8 years not really doing anything “schooling” wise sure made it tougher for me. Learning is a skill you need to keep working on throughout the years. Looks like things are going well for you which is great to see. Take care Wally.
Hey Wally, good to see ya! It's true, we need to constantly be learning something as we age. I find i try to read/ study things completely different from aviation on breaks and rare free time to keep things fresh and interesting. We're coming into the time of the year now where that'll be gardening. 😂
go ukrralighta nd build in wood and epoxie laminates...then fatigue is not an issue and insurance either...🤷♀️smaller folded up in your garage and no airport cists..so bith of your options are not an option...
😆 hey, I love the idea of ultralights and have been keeping an eye out for a decent one. Unfortunately, many people nowadays are completely unaware of the segment while others are honestly afraid of them. Many people looking to buy an aircraft are also looking to build legal flight time, something you can't do in a part 103 ultralight. You have to fly one for the love of it. Sounds like you need to make some videos promoting ultralights over other aircraft. (If you haven't already.) I'd love to see it!
