[CFICANFLY]

I am a CFI with my A&P. I earned my pilot ratings first, then went to A&P school. I did the A&P for several reasons, one of which was to make me more marketable for a flying job. The others were to understand the systems better (hence make me a better pilot) & to also give me a fall-back postion in aviation, if needed.

The biggest drawback to being a pilot/mechanic, & I've already experienced this once, is sometimes the "pilot" part of the job seems to evaporate. I've been cautioned about this by others, & like I said it happened to me once already. I applied for a CFI job, & by the end of the interview I was told that they didn't really need a CFI, but that they could sure use an A&P.

Also, you will get those who will tell you that you can't be both, that you have to choose one or the other. I have chosen to be a pilot first, mechanic second. I make that clear to everyone, my current job is only as a CFI. I have great admiration & respect for the mechanics who pursue maintenance full-time.

As another poster said, many pilot/mechs do the line mx on the aircraft only, & all the heavy mx is farmed out. That's true, & is the type of gig that I would enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy "turning wrenches", but enjoy turning props (or fans) more. There is as much of a pride in doing something right mechanically as there is piloting.

Going back over your original post, you mentioned that it seems like a lot of work to get your A&P. You are right about that. It is not easy, whether you go through the experience route or the school route. I went to a Part 147 mx school, as it was shorter than by doing it OJT. In the time I was in school, I found very little time to go flying. So don't look at earning your A&P as a small commitment, because it isn't.

Finally, USMCmech, where were you stationed? I was a grunt, but stationed out of MCAS Kaneohe, 89-93. Semper Fi!

'canfly