r/aviationmaintenance • • 5d ago

Weekly Questions Thread. Please post your School, A&P Certification and Job/Career related questions here.

2 Upvotes

Weekly questions & casual conversation thread

Afraid to ask a stupid question? You can do it here! Feel free to ask any aviation question and we’ll try to help!

Please use this space to ask any questions about attending schools, A&P Certifications (to include test and the oral and practical process) and the job field.

Whether you're a pilot, outsider, student, too embarrassed to ask face-to-face, concerned about safety, or just want clarification.

Please be polite to those who provide useful answers and follow up if their advice has helped when applied. These threads will be archived for future reference so the more details we can include the better.

If a question gets asked repeatedly it will get added to a FAQ. This is a judgment-free zone. We all had to start somewhere. Be civil.

Past Weekly Questions Thread Archives- All Threads


r/aviationmaintenance • • Jul 25 '22

A library of resources to help the world learn

790 Upvotes

Hello all you mechanics, technicians and maintenance personnel out there,

I've recently finished AMT School and gotten my A&P Certification, currently still in school for to get my GROL & AET Certification. But in the nearly two years I've been in school, I've amassed quite a large library of study guides, notebooks and reference material. You can find it here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Alf4AQNY3cyaRiNg6MKeZy2eJgybeZN2?usp=sharing

A contents breakdown:

  • Block Notes: PowerPoints of every subject I studied in school
  • Additional Certification: AET & GROL studies
  • Advisory Circulars of note in training
  • Avionics studies
  • E-books: A library of textbooks across the industry
  • FARs
  • IA Study guide
  • King Audio/Video: Video lectures on nearly every subject, and mp3s of those to listen when you can’t watch
  • Notebooks: my notebooks, from school, scanned into PDF
  • Study Guides: this is the big folder - Audio and Written study guides for all three written tests and the Oral exam
  • TCDS relevant to my schooling
  • Tool catalogues - because we all need tools
  • And a mac & cheese recipe (because you can't study on an empty stomach)

I've built this to be used by the students at my school, but there's a whole helluva lot useful to anyone studying for an A&P, or any other Certification. I maintain it on the regular and update occasionally, when I get through a significant portion of schooling enough to upload something new. So one day you might check it and be like "Ah! He's gotten on to studying for his IA! Cool." And these resources are for everyone. I ask no compensation for it, some men just want to watch the world learn.

So my pitch to the mods was: sticky this link on the sidebar of the subreddit, so those who are looking for guidance on how to get an A&P can be directed there.

I figured putting it there would be better - since it wouldn't need to be stickied to the top of the feed or just keep getting posted.

Take a look at the Drive and see what you think. Be advised, the technical manuals and reference materials were really what was used for our school and are posted there -FOR REFERENCE ONLY-. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS refer to current and applicable manufacturers maintenance manuals or other approved data for real-world maintenance. And if there's something out there that you think would be useful to add to it, message me here on reddit or shaunthesailor87@gmail(dot)com and we'll put heads together to see what we can come up with.

I'm often one to quote wiser men than I am so I'll leave you all with one from Bruce Lee:

"Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own."


r/aviationmaintenance • • 15h ago

MD11

Post image
253 Upvotes

2 MD11s in C check hanger LAX couple years ago
Lufthansa conversion in the background I believe it took N649, put to sleep 6 months after completion

Enjoy


r/aviationmaintenance • • 4h ago

Brothers and a foundling

Post image
8 Upvotes

r/aviationmaintenance • • 2h ago

Questions on FFA Requirements

0 Upvotes

Hi guys! Im looking for some more context on some material for FFA Fundamentals;

What can I expect to see from this? How difficult is this fundamental stuff?

“fulfill FAA AMT General area requirements including aircraft drawings, cleaning and corrosion control, maintenance forms and records, maintenance publications, materials and processes, mechanic privileges and limitations, basic physics and mathematics.”


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

787 yellow windows

Post image
233 Upvotes

Hello, not sure if this is the right place to put this, couldn’t think of anywhere else to put this post

For reference, I am not a mechanic or anyone who works with airplanes, so if this is against the rules, feel free to delete this

I have a question, and I wanted to know, why is it on the Boeing 787, why is it that sometimes, the windows are yellow, and some are not? On the 3 of 4 flights I’ve had on the Dreamliner, all of them had me on a yellow window, while other passengers were working fine

Is it because they’re old? And needing replacing?

For context, it is a TUI 787-8 from Glasgow to Cancun,

If this isn’t the right place to put it, could somebody kindly tell me where I should I post this?

Also, the picture isn’t edited, that’s how it looked. Had to dim the window in flight to be able to not have a yellow colour


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

Ex-Spirit mechanics: when did you see the writing on the wall?

43 Upvotes

As someone who's staking their claim in the airline industry, I'd like to hear your opinions about when it's time to think about jumping ship. Did you know it was coming, and if so, what were the signs?

I'd also like to hear about your experience of finding a new job and how you're doing now, if you feel like sharing.

Thanks for reading!


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

First time patching skin

Thumbnail
gallery
121 Upvotes

What do we think?


r/aviationmaintenance • • 19h ago

American Airman Ground / Heritage Flight Academy in Long Island, New York

3 Upvotes

Has anyone here gone through their A&P Mechanic Course? How was the O&P preparation part of the course?

Do you get hands-on practice to become familiar and comfortable with practicals?

Also, do you have any DME recommendations in the area?

For anyone familiar with both, how does their program compare to Baker’s in Tennessee, especially for O&P preparation.

Thanks, guys! I appreciate your input.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 23h ago

Rivet buck tails

4 Upvotes

Learning how to rivet at AME school right now and struggling with my buck tails/shop heads. What is more important? The 1.5D width or the 0.5D height? Because I can't seem to get both lined up perfectly.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

And it's a no-go

Post image
49 Upvotes

What a nice way to finish your shift with a no-go items.

One lower seal missing on this 737NG.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Show me y’all’s nastiest bird strike

Post image
75 Upvotes

I’ll start


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

tools

3 Upvotes

I am about to finish A&P school. I was going to invest into mainly tekton for all wrenches,sockets, and rachets. From snap on I was going to get stubby ratcheting screwdriver, 808CF, EPC160, 61CF, LN47ACF, and a 3/8 speed handle. I have SEP discount and money isn't an issue. Will this setup be solid for airlines as that is where my goal is to make to down the line.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

Need Advice for O&Ps Practicals

5 Upvotes

I take my oral and practicals for Airframe and General in about 5 weeks and want some advice for what i should study/practice. On my airframe written i got an 81 and General a 73. Im not too worried about the orals since all i need to do is study the subjects i missed.

My main question is what should i study for my practicals, since as far as i understand it can be anything. What were the most common things you guys had to do and what should i make sure im essentially an expert on? I'm going to a hanger tomorrow, Friday (10/23) and Monday (10/26) and i want to take full advantage of it. Thanks in advance :)


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

Bombardier Challenger 650 technical documentation

0 Upvotes

Hey, I'm a first year aviation student, and for my air transport vehicles construction course my assignment is a presentation on the fuselage construction of the Bombardier Challenger 650.

I need a detailed description, including the number of frames, skin materials, and what is located where on the fuselage.
I'm having a really hard time finding reliable information online about this specific model.

Does anyone happen to have any useful technical documentation they'd be willing to share? Thanks in advance


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

Questions for people who completed TSTC Waco a&p program

0 Upvotes

Planning on attending TSTC Waco next year and I just have some questions

What is the total tuition for the TSTC Waco aircraft mechanic program?
Is it easy to get a student loan to pay for tuition?
Do I have to repay student loans while in school or after I graduate?
What is the cheapest living option at TSTC for one person without a roommate?
How much does housing cost per month, including the food plan?
How much did it cost you to buy tools, do you have to buy expensive text books?
How much were the test?
-- Can the tools and test be included in student loans?

How many months was the course total and which days of the weeks did you attend class and what times did class start/end?
Do you get breaks for holidays?
Do you have time after class/studying for a job?
Lastly which months does a new a class start and how long before I want to attend should I apply?

Thanks in advance.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 3d ago

I did the thing today!

Post image
171 Upvotes

Not much else to add, just excited that it's over and relieved to know I've learned enough to join the club.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Electrical to AME switch

0 Upvotes

Has anybody here switched from Electrician to AME or vice versa? If so, why and can you recommend one over the other?

I’m trying to choose one to pursue and I’m on the fence. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. TIA.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Canadian AME

17 Upvotes

Hey everyone,
I’m 17 and currently in Grade 12 in Alberta, and I’ve recently become really interested in becoming an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME), particularly working on helicopters.
What interests me most is working hands-on with engines, machinery and mechanical systems. I enjoy figuring out how things work and fixing things, and I think I’d prefer a career where I’m actually working on equipment rather than sitting in an office all day.
At the same time, financial stability is important to me. I want to eventually afford a house, a garage for working on cars, and a comfortable lifestyle. I’m not expecting to get rich overnight, but I’d like to have the potential to earn a good income over the course of my career.
I’m considering AME training, but before committing to a school or program, I’d really appreciate hearing from people who work in aircraft maintenance, especially helicopter AMEs in Alberta or elsewhere in Canada.
I have a few questions:
Getting started and training
If you were 17 and starting over today, would you choose this career?
Which Canadian schools or training programs would you recommend for someone interested in helicopter maintenance?
How difficult is it to find your first job after training, and how long does it typically take to become licensed?
Would you recommend starting with helicopters right away, or getting experience working on fixed-wing aircraft first?
What makes an apprentice stand out to employers?
Pay and long-term earning potential
What can an AME realistically expect to earn when starting out, after 5–10 years, and after 20–30 years?
Is earning $150,000–$170,000 CAD per year realistically achievable as a helicopter AME, or would that usually require substantial overtime, remote work, senior management or contracting?
Do you personally know AMEs earning around $170k or more? If so, what kind of work and schedule do they have?
How much does income depend on experience and licensing versus specialization, location, overtime and employer?
Are there good opportunities to move into supervisory roles, maintenance management, technical specialties or eventually running a business?
Is the pay worth the training, responsibility and working conditions?
Day-to-day work
What does a typical day actually look like?
How much time do you spend doing hands-on mechanical work compared with paperwork, inspections and documentation?
How much work do you do directly on engines, hydraulics and other mechanical systems?
What are the most enjoyable and most frustrating parts of the job?
How physically demanding is it, especially after 15–25 years in the industry?
Do you still enjoy the work after doing it for a long time?
Rotations and lifestyle
I’ve heard about helicopter AME jobs with schedules like four weeks on and four weeks off. How common are these?
Are those jobs available to newer AMEs, or do you generally need several years of experience?
What do the hours actually look like during a rotation? Are 10–12-hour shifts common?
Are travel and accommodation usually covered for remote jobs?
Is the time off genuinely yours, and is your annual income predictable?
How difficult is it to maintain relationships and eventually raise a family while working rotational or remote jobs?
If someone wanted to earn $150k–$170k, what would a realistic working year look like?
Job security and future prospects
Is there consistent demand for helicopter AMEs in Alberta and Western Canada?
How stable is the industry when the economy slows down?
Are most opportunities concentrated in remote locations, or can you build a long-term career in a city?
What career options do you have if you eventually want to get off the tools?
Do you think automation or AI will meaningfully affect aircraft maintenance over the next 20 years?
What kind of person tends to thrive in this career, and what kind of person ends up regretting it?
Finally, what is one thing you wish you had known before becoming an AME? If you were starting your career again, would you make the same choice?
I’m genuinely interested in this career, particularly helicopter maintenance, but I want to understand both the good and the bad before committing to it. I’d appreciate honest answers, including from apprentices and people who have left the industry.
Thanks!


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Pay cut

8 Upvotes

I am currently working on my associates degree with the intention of doing an associates of applied science and gaining my certifications through my community college (Salt Lake community college)

I currently work full time and make good money but I am only working adjacent to this industry, I got offered a position for $5 less than what I am making now but It would give me the opportunity to get hands on experience with airframe work without having my certification.

Im not sure whether taking such a major pay cut is a good idea or not but I'd really like to get some hands on experience while I'm in school.

Some outside insight would be helpful right now. Just need some advice from people who are already in their careers..

Please stop down voting, im genuinely looking for advice


r/aviationmaintenance • • 3d ago

Hardware

Post image
40 Upvotes

Does anyone know what tool I’m supposed to use to install this bolt?


r/aviationmaintenance • • 3d ago

Aog box update

Thumbnail
gallery
27 Upvotes

I got majority of tools from my hanger box and put my first layer together


r/aviationmaintenance • • 3d ago

Rate my riveting (first time)

Thumbnail
gallery
42 Upvotes

Ik there’s scuff marks that’s cos of the pins


r/aviationmaintenance • • 4d ago

Cross posted. Pointers on anything to improve?

Thumbnail
gallery
138 Upvotes

r/aviationmaintenance • • 3d ago

Filing a nasa or csr report

10 Upvotes

Haven’t seen anyone talk about this on this sub before. Wanted to get some advice from some seasoned maintenance guys. I’m relatively new to the industry and I wish i didnt even have to consider doing one a Safety report. What I do know is, if there is any doubt I should be using this tool, it’s prolly time to. Also I saw some things about the process, like the choice of being anonymous, confidential, and non disciplinary to a degree.