Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 5/22/2010

Question
Hi my name is Coleman Parkhill and I am currently enrolled in a aviation maintenance program based in Harlingen, TX. I'm interested in working on helicopters. I wanted some tips on how to pursue this field. I did some research on factory training at different heli manufacturing facilities but they are very pricey when it comes taking the courses. Are there any alternatives?

Answer
Good question Coleman,
Once you done with your A&P license I would start searching all local airports and helicopter operators and visit them with your resume. The best bet here if you explained them that you are new A&P and that you would like to get operational experience on maintenance helicopters. In this economic situation I would probably even offer, work for helicopter outfit as volunteer in order to get some operational experience on helicopters, and maintenance of same. That will give you experience how to perform manitenance of helicopters and specific helicopters, also it will open the door for possibility to get full time employment with same facility. Lot of owners will look at you in positive light, if you approche them in this way, so possibility for full time employment with same facility once you gain operational experience is very achievable.
Even if you do not get full time employment, you will create a database of people who actually run other helicopter facilities in neigborhood and give you chance to possible meet them and ask them for job, but MOST IMPORTANT thing is that you will have operational experience on working on specific maintenance tasks on different helicopters, with that experience you will have higher desired skill for emplyment as helicopter mechanic.
Good Luck