drummer4468
Pre-takeoff checklist
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- Jul 5, 2020
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drummer4468
Hey all,
Thinking out loud here(as usual). So I'm exploring a career change in the near future, and starting to put out feelers in aircraft maintenance land.
A bit of my background: I'm currently a satellite communications technician with over 10 years' experience between Army active duty and DoD contractor jobs. In this time I've operated and maintained many types of ground terminals ranging from 40-60' dishes (the kind that take 50+ gallon gearbox oil changes) to smaller mobile tactical terminals, and all of the sytems and subsystems that drive them. So I have a very solid background in mechanical, electrical, electronic, and RF work, and all of the paperwork/record keeping that goes along with it. In my personal life, I've been a gearhead since I could hold a wrench, and have quite a lot of non-professional experience working on engines, drivetrains, and everything else that makes cars go. Additionally I'm a private pilot with instrument rating, and almost finished with commercial training but have no interest in pipelining to the airlines. I'm also about 75-80% done with a Bachelors degree in Aviation.
I'm approaching an unexpected crossroads in this current field, so I got to thinking about how much I'd love to transfer these skills to the aviation world. I am very interested in apprenticing toward an A&P certification, eventually IA and avionics as well.
As I sit down and seriously contemplate the brass-tacks reality of this transition, the biggest concern I have is trying to figure out where I'd land on the pay scale. Even given my strong background, I have a feeling that not having the A&P cert will understandably be a huge blow to the salary. I wish I had time to apprentice part-time before pulling the trigger, but that doesn't appear to be in the cards right now. Downside of govt contract work, it can be super stable until it's not. If push comes to shove, I'd much rather make this transition now than relocate for another SatCom job. Normally I'd be okay with taking a pay cut to do work I'm passionate about, but the budget's pretty tight right now and a guy's still gotta afford to live. These flight training loans ain't paying themselves off, lol.
Has anyone here been in a similar position, and could you maybe cast some light as to what I can expect? Maybe a guesstimate of realistic salary expectations? Any input is appreciated
Thinking out loud here(as usual). So I'm exploring a career change in the near future, and starting to put out feelers in aircraft maintenance land.
A bit of my background: I'm currently a satellite communications technician with over 10 years' experience between Army active duty and DoD contractor jobs. In this time I've operated and maintained many types of ground terminals ranging from 40-60' dishes (the kind that take 50+ gallon gearbox oil changes) to smaller mobile tactical terminals, and all of the sytems and subsystems that drive them. So I have a very solid background in mechanical, electrical, electronic, and RF work, and all of the paperwork/record keeping that goes along with it. In my personal life, I've been a gearhead since I could hold a wrench, and have quite a lot of non-professional experience working on engines, drivetrains, and everything else that makes cars go. Additionally I'm a private pilot with instrument rating, and almost finished with commercial training but have no interest in pipelining to the airlines. I'm also about 75-80% done with a Bachelors degree in Aviation.
I'm approaching an unexpected crossroads in this current field, so I got to thinking about how much I'd love to transfer these skills to the aviation world. I am very interested in apprenticing toward an A&P certification, eventually IA and avionics as well.
As I sit down and seriously contemplate the brass-tacks reality of this transition, the biggest concern I have is trying to figure out where I'd land on the pay scale. Even given my strong background, I have a feeling that not having the A&P cert will understandably be a huge blow to the salary. I wish I had time to apprentice part-time before pulling the trigger, but that doesn't appear to be in the cards right now. Downside of govt contract work, it can be super stable until it's not. If push comes to shove, I'd much rather make this transition now than relocate for another SatCom job. Normally I'd be okay with taking a pay cut to do work I'm passionate about, but the budget's pretty tight right now and a guy's still gotta afford to live. These flight training loans ain't paying themselves off, lol.
Has anyone here been in a similar position, and could you maybe cast some light as to what I can expect? Maybe a guesstimate of realistic salary expectations? Any input is appreciated