How To Become An Aircraft Engineer

“Once upon a time I cuddent even spel engineer – now I is one!”

This is an old joke but it is a reflection on how those who are not engineers, or in the engineering field, tend to see those who are mechanics, technicians and engineers.

Engineering is an honourable profession that dates back thousands of years. The people who built Stonehenge used engineering principles to shift massive lumps of rock. 

Those who choose to repair, service and maintain aeroplanes are somewhat younger in the tooth since he evolution of the heavier than air craft only started at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Air travel is now normal. It is something that is regularly undertaken by vast numbers of the general public on a regular and frequent basis to the point where it is considered commonplace.

Every single one of those aircraft has to be looked after by a dedicated team of people whose task is both complex and rewarding. The rewards are primarily in knowing that the aeroplane that you just maintained has arrived safely at its destination with all souls on board sill attached to their respective bodies.

How do you become of those boys and girls who send these great aluminium cylinders up into the air?

Firstly we have to look at ourselves.

Do we fit the bill? Do we have what it takes to become an aircraft mechanic or engineer?

[Note: In the US under the FAA an aircraft worker is called a mechanic. In Europe under EASA and other places where they use similar licensing the worker is known as an aircraft engineer. The job is, more or less, the same it is only the title that is different.]

You will require to have a logical mind, common sense and self discipline. Those are the basic needs or anyone who works on aircraft.

The self discipline comes from not just being able to work unsupervised but also, more importantly, the need to focus on the job so that it is done properly, effectively and safely regardless of the conditions surrounding you.

Conditions? The aeroplane does not care if you have just worked eighteen hours or that it is minus some-odd degrees or that your life partner is miffed with you. The aeroplane only cares that you have tended to it in the best way humanly possible so that it is safe for someone else to become airborne in it.

No you have decided that this is what you want above all else you may now proceed to the next step.

There are several ways of getting into aviation. He easiest way, without doubt, is to join a military unit that has flying vehicles. This can be fixed wing aircraft like the C130 or rotary wing like a ‘Jolly Green Giant’.

Of course, your desire to go to war may conflict with your idea of self-preservation so perhaps an alternative might be useful.

The second easiest way is to go to a college that specialises in aviation engineering training for licensing.

I should point out here that there are many colleges and Universities that have courses designed to get you a degree in aviation engineering or the management thereof.

Previous experience has shown me that those who have degrees are far less likely to be employed – or even employable, than those who have an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Licence.

I receive a lot (a LOT!) of enquiries from people with a Bachelor’s degree in aviation engineering and engineering management asking me if I know of anyone taking on a highly educated but totally inexperienced degree holder. The answer is always, “No.”

Yes, yes, I know it is wonderful to boast about having a degree in this or that but it is even more wonderful to have a job!

There are any number of aviation engineering colleges dotted around the World. ‘Aviation Australia’ in Brisbane, Australia; Air Service Training in Perth, Scotland; National Aviation Academy in New England and Tampa Bay,Florida; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at Daytona Beach and Prescott, Arizona; Singapore Aviation Academy, Changi; MIAT (Malaysian Institute of Aviation Training – part of University Kuala Lumpur) and Aero Precision Resources (APR) at Dengkil and Subang Perdana, Malaysia, respectively are just a few of those places where you can train to achieve your dream of obtaining your licence in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.

Admittedly, this is an expensive route for many. It is, however, the best and most efficient way to go about getting your license. 

It is not just the tuition fees that need to be considered, you will also need to look at (sometimes) accommodation charges plus food and transportation in the local area.

Next idea is to go and work for an aviation operator as a general helper on the aeroplanes. Many larger companies have schemes that will allow you to become a technician and, from that, to go on and obtain your license.

Although this seems like an ideal course of action the problem here is that there is an enormous amount of self-study to accomplish. This takes tremendous self-discipline to achieve. Very often you will need to combine some self-study with night classes or day-release at a local college or training school.

Before you decide on a course of action to develop your plan to become an aircraft engineer/mechanic you will need to make one more, vital, decision:

Mechanical or Electronic.

In the good old days of aviation there were Engine Fitters, Airframe Fitters, Electricians and Fairies.

During the Second World War the Radio Fitters would wander around the airfield with damn great loop aerials on their backs testing the aircraft radios in conjunction with a buddy who would be sitting in a cockpit out of the rain. These loop aerials looked like fairy wings and hence…

Nowadays we have Mechanical Fitters that are usually called B1 who cover Airframe, Engine and Electrics and B2 people who cover the electronics that, on aeroplanes, is called Avionics.

Which avenue will you explore? Are you happier with gearboxes and spanners or do you prefer small screwdrivers and transistors?

Ladies? Do not be frightened of doing heavy things. These days we have all sorts of cranes and slings to lift things. I have, recently, worked with several dainty young things who would, very likely, have no trouble gracing a magazine cover that are exceptionally enthusiastic about setting to with a big wrench on a helicopter rotorhead.

There is another, penultimate point to consider. 

You may think that competition for jobs is fierce – it is, no doubt. Also fierce is the competition between industries to attract the ‘right’ individuals.

For many people the Law, Medicine, Architecture or Business Management may seem like the way to go. Universities will plug these careers mercilessly because this is where the money lies for them. Indeed, the professions after University will also want to pick and choose the best for themselves.

You should be aware that if the Law, for example, want the best then they will encourage youngsters to take Law courses so that the Universities will pour out candidates for jobs in the hundreds – if not thousands. Law companies will take the very best and the rest are discarded.

This happens everywhere. Computing is one of the glamour jobs of the moment; there are many graduates who remain unemployed and so it is with other professions. Even people trying to become doctors or dentists are finding it ever more difficult to gain employment because there are so many young people leaving the Universities with Medical Degrees.

Pilots? Hard to get a job unless you have around 2,500 hours in your logbook and those better be on multi-engine aircraft. Where will you get hose hours? By hiring aircraft at weekends. Expensive.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is one of the few career paths that will almost certainly guarantee you a job. You may have to move to another country but here are employment opportunities available.

Why? Because the number of aircraft flying at any one time is increasing. The number of take-offs and landings per hour is increasing.

The industry has tried using bigger aircraft but the plan is failing. The Airbus A380 is a magnificent aircraft and it is extraordinarily comfortable but it is gradually being discarded. Airlines want smaller aeroplanes; with increasing passenger numbers that means more aeroplanes, more take-offs and landings and more maintenance.

That is where you come in.

To get you started on the right route, this book is to the knowledge level required for an Aircraft Engineer or Mechanic. From this you will see what is required. I recommend you to read it and encourage your friends to get it, too:

From Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/David-S.-Leyman/e/B00J8W00B0/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0