Expert: Marc Ebelini - 7/23/2011

Question
Dear Sir,

I am mechanical engineer and also i'd like to get A&P maintenance

certificate and work in this field.Could you please

introduce me aviation universities or maintenance training    

school in Califonia(especially in L.A and SanDiego or near them)

with good reputation.

Many thanks,

Reza

Answer
Sorry I have no experience with schools in California although there may some good ones. My experience is with Embry Riddle. www.erau.edu There is an alternate ways of getting an A&P. For example work at FAA repair shop for three years that would make you eligible to take the tests for the license. Or owning an airplane and working on it for that same period under supervision of an IA or instructor also was another. Admit I have not checked the FAR's lately to see if that has changed any. Many years ago I taught many airplane owners to went on to get the license. The practical part is the most difficult because it requires a demonstration of your abilities in all the areas. Since I had not seen a current example of what is required I would to research this. This is not meant as a put down but most A&P are only part changers or specialist. In my time an A&P was like a jack of all trades and capable of making in some cases the part to make a repair. Technology today has changed things. As someone that repaired electronics down to the smallest component in the past. That is no longer possible in most cases because of the special equipment needed to perform the the simplest task. You can buy wood, dope, fabric and aluminum tubing and build an airplane but airplanes to day are made of carbon fibers and other exotic materials requiring specialized equipment to build them. The glory days of goggles and scarf are long on. Pilots today are only computer operators. Miss the old days.