Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 7/27/2010

Question
Hello, I am interested in becoming a helicopter mechanic. I live in So. California and I understand that one of the best school is in Orance County. All the jobs I have found indicate that they need years of experience. My question is how can we obtain a job after completing the program and passing the FAA test if all the jobs require experience?

Answer
Hi Juan,
That is correct, Orange County is the one of the best schools for an A&P no doubt.  That is an nice question Juan. It is truth in order to get an high paid A&P job you do need experience on job or in some cases experience in partuclar type or model of aircraft. Now generally, when you get an A&P easiest way to gain valuable experience is get an low paid jobs as an A&P on local airport as an A&P on heleicopters orairplane flight school. Again, here you'll have to be persistant with owner to give you an chance in order to get some experience on work. If you are more interested in helicopters find an local flight school for helicopters, like Celebrity Helicopters in Compton, CA. Again you will not have big pay but your idea is get some experience before you can apply for some serious A&P jobs.

Good Luck
Ismar