Matt Gillbert ⋅ Louisville , KY UPS ⋅ 14 years experience

Lane,
If your plan is to enter the aviation industry I would you encourage you to purse both a college degree and an A&P. Embry Riddle and many technical colleges can help you with this goal. The GI Bill is a great benifit and I would use it to its full potential, not just an A&P certification.

The aviation industry can be very volitile and if you want more then contractor work you'll need more then just the A&P. Don't get me wrong I have an A&P and it has opened many doors for me, but my batchlors degree has proved to be just as important. If you have both, plus your military experience you will be very marketable for employers.

Charles Ferree ⋅ Charleston , SC Boeing ⋅ 6 years experience

Lane

Thank you for your service. Your A&P licence will open more doors for you.
Do you have a specific job in mind, or are you thinking more around general aircraft upkeep and maintenance?

A few options and choices could be
1. look at job postings for aircraft mechanics and see what their requirements are
2. local airports may have positions for ground handling duties
3. There are a few companies that are contractor companies and their employees are contracted out for about 4 to six months at a time (depending on task requirements)

Good luck

Phil C. ⋅ Fort Worth , TX ⋅ 3 years experience

I was Armament on Apaches for over 8 years and got out in 2008. We might know a few of the same people. I thought about the A&P route, but am very glad I got a degree in electrical engineering. I'm back in the aviation world on the design side of the house and loving it. Send me a PM and we can talk shop, career development and education stuff. I would really like to help you out.

Harry Rakfeldt ⋅ Belfair , WA AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants and related products ⋅ 38 years experience

Hello Lane,

In 2011 I obtained my Private Pilot's license at a regional airport. I worked with instructors co-located at the full service avioncs shop. Their work crew is always busy, performing the myriad jobs presented, including the rental planes used for student training. Also, several hundred feet away was a helicopter flight school, and they were always busy.

I would say, yes, do obtain your A & P. But to bolster your decision, travel the 30 miles to Rochester, NY and do some inquiring at the commercial airport. Research what avionics firms are located at/near the airport and request to meet with them to discuss your future in A & P.

I'm sure you'll get a warm welcome.

Best to you,

Harry Rakfeldt

Gregg Thompson ⋅ Louisville , KY UPS ⋅ 32 years experience

Lane,

Get Both!

If you have to choose one or the other than its important to know where you are headed in your career path? When I got my A&P, while in the USAF, I didn't have ACP folks to help me thus my vision was limited to Aircraft Mechanic jobs etc. thus the A&P was perfect. As I learned very quickly however, there are many many Aircraft MX support functions that require A&P's and/or Degrees which I now have. I would get both. As Matt mentioned earlier, ERAU offers great programs for both and in my opinion is the degree you want to hang on your wall at the end of the day in this business.

Best of luck!

Gregg

Kimberly Greenwell ⋅ New Orleans , LA UPS ⋅ 17 years experience

Lane,
I have to agree with several of the other folks. GET BOTH. I was fortunate enough to get my A&P while still in the Navy. Once I completed my service, I used the GI Bill, worked and got my degrees. Having both gave me so many more options, as I'm sure it would for anyone, including you.

Go get it...

Kim Greenwell

Jason Kugel ⋅ Yulee , FL U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 21 years served

Generally, businesses involved with aircraft maintenance are going to require A&P certification in order for you to work fixing aircraft. There are however many different aspects of aviation (as you know) that you won't need one to be hired. The final test can be simple, or drive you up a wall- depending on who administers your practical exam for certification. I think it's pretty safe to assume there will always be a need for A&P licensed mechanics- especially with all the branches trying to preserve their inventory and get the most bang for their buck out of every bird they own. Most Navy Air Stations also have some form of depot level maintenance on property, and that is all civilian workers. Also a lot of employers require you to have your own tools, which can run you up to 2500 dollars. I would look into VOC REHAB for this, as I've heard (I'm not an expert) this program will not only fund the training but provide you what you need to go on and perform the job (like tools).