Hi, I'm brand new to the forums. Also, while I've been obsessed with aviation since I was a kid, I'm only just now starting my way towards a PPL.
My question has to do with having both a PPL and an A&P. A little bit of background. I am a jet engine mechanic for the United States Air Force, working on a flightline. I am currently just starting to gain hours in Cessnas at my local aeroclub. About 3 years from now, I will PCS from my current base (which is not a very good place to own, store, and launch a personal aircraft). After that 3 years however, where ever I move, I plan on looking into purchasing my own aircraft to build hours on towards various certifications. I've already done quite a bit of research on options for this, but am still learning. I want to be well prepared when the time comes.
An A&P license is unnecessary in the USAF when working on aircraft. We specialize into individual systems, and learn the job from the ground up through a short technical school and on the job training. Our education is essentially whatever we're signed off to work on.
However, getting an A&P as an air force maintainer is essentially free. All I would need to do is get signed off on jobs in a variety of other fields (which can be done on the job), study for the A&P, take a permissive TDY to take a 2 week crash course, then final test. That crash course can be paid for via military benefits. Which means before I leave my current base, I could acquire an A&P license. I've also heard it's relatively easy for engine mechanics like myself compared to other shops, since propulsion makes up about half of what is needed to get one.
Anyway, I've been trying to do some research on the most cost effective method of purchasing and operating a private aircraft. I've been thinking about possibly getting an old, mid or high time Cessna 150 or similar aircraft, due to the very low initial cost. However, obviously these machines will be more maintenance intensive, espescially if they require something like an engine overhaul right off the bat. I've found resources on aproximate cost breakdowns of aircraft like this, however maintenance is basically lumped into one big cost.
So my question is, when I get certified as an A&P, what kind of cost reductions could I expect if I were to work on my own aircraft? I understand parts would still be a cost to consider, but the labor costs would be essentially eliminated. It would be my own time and effort. Does anybody here have knowledge on the cost breakdown of light aircraft maintenance?
Also, does anybody here have experience both owning and maintaining their own aircraft? Are pilots even allowed to be their own A&Ps, or is that regulated due to concern over conflict of interest?
Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
My question has to do with having both a PPL and an A&P. A little bit of background. I am a jet engine mechanic for the United States Air Force, working on a flightline. I am currently just starting to gain hours in Cessnas at my local aeroclub. About 3 years from now, I will PCS from my current base (which is not a very good place to own, store, and launch a personal aircraft). After that 3 years however, where ever I move, I plan on looking into purchasing my own aircraft to build hours on towards various certifications. I've already done quite a bit of research on options for this, but am still learning. I want to be well prepared when the time comes.
An A&P license is unnecessary in the USAF when working on aircraft. We specialize into individual systems, and learn the job from the ground up through a short technical school and on the job training. Our education is essentially whatever we're signed off to work on.
However, getting an A&P as an air force maintainer is essentially free. All I would need to do is get signed off on jobs in a variety of other fields (which can be done on the job), study for the A&P, take a permissive TDY to take a 2 week crash course, then final test. That crash course can be paid for via military benefits. Which means before I leave my current base, I could acquire an A&P license. I've also heard it's relatively easy for engine mechanics like myself compared to other shops, since propulsion makes up about half of what is needed to get one.
Anyway, I've been trying to do some research on the most cost effective method of purchasing and operating a private aircraft. I've been thinking about possibly getting an old, mid or high time Cessna 150 or similar aircraft, due to the very low initial cost. However, obviously these machines will be more maintenance intensive, espescially if they require something like an engine overhaul right off the bat. I've found resources on aproximate cost breakdowns of aircraft like this, however maintenance is basically lumped into one big cost.
So my question is, when I get certified as an A&P, what kind of cost reductions could I expect if I were to work on my own aircraft? I understand parts would still be a cost to consider, but the labor costs would be essentially eliminated. It would be my own time and effort. Does anybody here have knowledge on the cost breakdown of light aircraft maintenance?
Also, does anybody here have experience both owning and maintaining their own aircraft? Are pilots even allowed to be their own A&Ps, or is that regulated due to concern over conflict of interest?
Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
