Anyone work for an aircraft powerplant repair facility?

[Captain Crawfish]

I have an A/P but have not used it in so long that its not current. My original plan out of HS was to work on turbines. I did some airframe work was bored with it and decided to change careers. Now at 31 Im not happy with my career choice once again. Im thinking about trying to find an entry level job doing what I really wanted to do. What are some entry level jobs I can apply for to get started? .

[Boondock Saint]

How long have you been out of the aviation industry? I am an A&P mechanic here also. After getting laid off from the major airlines after 911 I took a 4 year break and decided try something new. I was hired on as a mechanic at a manufacturing plant and did that for 4 years. I soon missed being around planes, I freshened up my resume and jumped right back into aviation. Don't worry about how long you have been out. Most companies will hire with little to zero experience. Most Airlines will pick you up with little to zero experience, When I was at Delta we had guys right out of school coming in.




if your serious about getting back into it look at these contract companies

Strom
APS
JET group
STS
Plane techs
Aerotek

there are many others.. also look at Jsfirm.com this is the firm I am working with at the moment..

There are several powerplant companies here in DFW

GE
Retan Aerospace require traveling
Dallas Airmotive good buddy working there I am waiting on my ticket


If you cant find work here be prepared to relocate I get tons of sweet job offers out of state but I am unable to relocate due to my kids and ex wife yada yada yada....

Good luck bro!

[Boondock Saint]

Here is a few others I forgot to mention

Lockheed
L3 they are always hiring especially in Waco
Raytheon

[Boondock Saint]

Also FYI there is a shitload more companies looking for Sheetmetal mechanics then there are turbine mechanics.

[Captain Crawfish]

Thanks for the help. Hopefully the new year will bring new opportunities

[DieselSmoke]

I would look for a diffrent career.

[BERNIE MOSFET]

I would look for a diffrent career.

Any reason you say this?

[DieselSmoke]

Any reason you say this?

Exposure to harsh chemicals, endured destructive work place noise levels, insulting pay grades, midnight shifts in the freezing rain, pressure to sign off on questionable repairs, low job security, ect.

I would not recommend aircraft maintenance to friends ,family or anyone looking to choose a career. Aviation maintenance is the most unappreciated career there is, auto technicians get more respect and are better paid for their expertise. I recommend auto or diesel technician, be a pharmacist, nurse, doctor or lawyer, but stay away from aviation.

[Rotortrash]

Exposure to harsh chemicals, endured destructive work place noise levels, insulting pay grades, midnight shifts in the freezing rain, pressure to sign off on questionable repairs, low job security, ect.

I would not recommend aircraft maintenance to friends ,family or anyone looking to choose a career. Aviation maintenance is the most unappreciated career there is, auto technicians get more respect and are better paid for their expertise. I recommend auto or diesel technician, be a pharmacist, nurse, doctor or lawyer, but stay away from aviation.

Well, I agree with you on the under-paid and under-appreciated part, who dosen't want to make more? I disagree on the rest, though.

I've been an aircraft mechanic for over 20 years, and wouldn't change a thing! I would recommend it to my family, and others if they start early enough. I have been unemployed only once for more than a couple days. Always able to go right from one job to the next, ALWAYS with an increase in pay. I have had the oopurtunity to meet a lot of great people, and fly many nice airplanes and helicopters. You only get out of it what you put into it. It also helps if you have a passion for aviation, and don't treat it as just another job.

To the OP, there were many good suggestions above as to where to look for a job. If it is somthing you love to do, go do it. You'll be much happier doing somthing you love!

[cbrjames]

I'd love to get into it, and have been trying for years. Aside from hockey, aviation is one of my biggest passions. I've been in the automotive field for about 12 years doing parts and as a service advisor. So there isn't a ton of jobs like that in aviation that i've seen. I just want to be around planes doing anything.

[Rotortrash]

I'd love to get into it, and have been trying for years. Aside from hockey, aviation is one of my biggest passions. I've been in the automotive field for about 12 years doing parts and as a service advisor. So there isn't a ton of jobs like that in aviation that i've seen. I just want to be around planes doing anything.

Go to TCC for your A&P. Night classes available, good course. You would be starting from scratch once you got out, but if you can afford to, its worth it. Aviation does go up and down with the economy, but there are jobs out there. Airlines and Gov. contract employers seem to be the most up and down, but they make up a small percentage of the job market.

It can be done without a license, I believe we have a few on the board that are doing well without one. It just limits your opportunities IMO.

There is always flight school if you have the $$$$!

[Rotortrash]

How long have you been out of the aviation industry? I am an A&P mechanic here also. After getting laid off from the major airlines after 911 I took a 4 year break and decided try something new. I was hired on as a mechanic at a manufacturing plant and did that for 4 years. I soon missed being around planes, I freshened up my resume and jumped right back into aviation. Don't worry about how long you have been out. Most companies will hire with little to zero experience. Most Airlines will pick you up with little to zero experience, When I was at Delta we had guys right out of school coming in.

When were you at Delta? I was there from 2001 untill the first round of layoffs in 2002. I worked in Bay 3 on afternoons, then in Bay 5 on afternoons.

[Boondock Saint]

When were you at Delta? I was there from 2001 untill the first round of layoffs in 2002. I worked in Bay 3 on afternoons, then in Bay 5 on afternoons.

I was there around the same time you were there then! I started out in Bay 5 days then after first bid I went to 2nd shift bay 6. Did you know Ken Cowley? Dan Kent? Chris Cothran? Martin Ponce?

Martin drove the 91 Gt with blk racing stripes w/ procharger
Chris drove the Red 1st Gen Red lightning

[Rotortrash]

I was there around the same time you were there then! I started out in Bay 5 days then after first bid I went to 2nd shift bay 6. Did you know Ken Cowley? Dan Kent? Chris Cothran? Martin Ponce?

Martin drove the 91 Gt with blk racing stripes w/ procharger
Chris drove the Red 1st Gen Red lightning

I remember Ken Cowley and Dan Kent. I remember Chris' Lightning, but I didn't know him. Martin Dosen't ring any bells.

I remember being farmed out to bay 6 a day or 2 before the lay off. They had already made us take our tool boxes home, and actually expected us to work! Lots of us just standing around that day.

That was a great job. I'd probably still be there if things had worked out different, like 9/11 not happening.

[mk5.0]

Aviation can be a good paying career. It is really easy to make over 6 figures a year. Forget the airlines and forget military contracts. Get into corporate aviation. Gulfstream and bombardier are in dallas and they are hiring right now. They thing with aviation is you have to be willing to move to get a good job. Get an A&P work for a repair station for a few years and then move on to a corporate flight department.