A&P licence OR Commercial licence OR BOTH??

[kirkusn]

I am currently in the navy i am a mech and i was thinking about getting my A&P licence but now i got a big bug about getting my pilot licence i can use my gi bill to pay for 60% of the costs. But is it verry hard to get a job once i complete my pilot licence? Also is there places that hire people with A&P licence and pilot licence and if so do i need a comercial licence or just a private. to maby test fly a plane once its fixed or somthing like that or do i just sound stupid? what road should i take? Do company like having both licenses or do they not really work hand in hand? thanks guys for the help.

[H46Bubba]

Originally Posted by kirkusn

I am currently in the navy i am a mech and i was thinking about getting my A&P licence but now i got a big bug about getting my pilot licence i can use my gi bill to pay for 60% of the costs. But is it verry hard to get a job once i complete my pilot licence? Also is there places that hire people with A&P licence and pilot licence and if so do i need a comercial licence or just a private. to maby test fly a plane once its fixed or somthing like that or do i just sound stupid? what road should i take? Do company like having both licenses or do they not really work hand in hand? thanks guys for the help.

How close are you to getting out? I was an AMS(NAC) and an AK while I was in. I forget what the program was, but I logged all my airframe ojt and when I got out all I had to do was take a the airframe test and the oral/practical. I had half of my powerplant ojt completed, but flying is my main focus right now and I'll probably complete it and get the powerplant. I work in the Maintenace Operations Center (maintenance control) for Comair Airlines. You need to prioritize what you want to do; fly or maintenance. Now if you choose to get you A&P first it does help when you finally apply for a pilot position. It helps you stand out from other applicants. One of our chief pilots was an ex maintenance guy and there are several mechanics over at the hangar who are flight training as well.
For me, when I apply here or at another regional that has CRJ's, because I have an FAA airframe license and knowlege of the CRJ aircraft and it's systems, will make my resume stick out from Joe Schmoe who just went to ATP and got all their ratings in six months. It will also give me a good foundation for groundschool as far as limitations and systems. If you got any questions just ask or you can PM me anytime. Oh and welcome to JC!

[kirkusn]

I have about 10 months left in the navy i am an AD3 i am eligable to take the tast for the A&P not but i need to study. Do you think i have to get both airframes and PP or just get the powerplants licence beacue thats what i work on so that subject would be easier for me i would think. what i was thinking about doing was studing for the a&p test get my licence. then try to get at least my private licence while i am still in so as soon as i get out i can go strait to school to get my comercial licence using my Gi bill..... Also is it verry hard to get on with a reputable airline or do you have to have a ton of hours also is the pay bad the first year like everyone says.

[H46Bubba]

Originally Posted by kirkusn

I have about 10 months left in the navy i am an AD3 i am eligable to take the tast for the A&P not but i need to study. Do you think i have to get both airframes and PP or just get the powerplants licence beacue thats what i work on so that subject would be easier for me i would think. what i was thinking about doing was studing for the a&p test get my licence. then try to get at least my private licence while i am still in so as soon as i get out i can go strait to school to get my comercial licence using my Gi bill..... Also is it verry hard to get on with a reputable airline or do you have to have a ton of hours also is the pay bad the first year like everyone says.

Actually I just read the Navy will pay for you're A&P now. Here's the link:https://www.cool.navy.mil/ If I were you I'd go ahead and get that A&P so you can start looking for a decent maintenace job and then start on that flight training. With a good stable job you'll be able to have some decent income when you get out and while you flight train. If you get on with an airline that might get your foot in the door to transition within the company for a pilot position.

Do your powerplants first then finish up with the airframe since you're already working powerplants. In my first squadron, we were in detachments which allowed us to do more or less everyones elses jobs. I did powerplants, wirechasing, some avionics, and some PR stuff too.