r/AircraftMechanics

Hi, my name is Leo, im 23 and I would like to become an aircraft mechanic in NJ. I live in Monmouth county, and would like suggestions of schools I can attend. Thank you so much

Good evening fellow Reddit strangers!

Like the title says, I am a mother. I have been raising our family for over 10 years. I recently became interested in becoming an aviation mechanic however, I am totally lost.

- Schooling: Nearby schools are UTI and AIM. We were gobsmacked by the tuition. My husband is the sweetest person ever and told me we could make it work if I really wanted to pursue this. In MY mind, there has to be a better and cheaper way. There are a couple of schools that are a bit further away (30-40 minute drive vs 20-30 minutes) that I can look at too. What's a reasonable price range for schooling in 2026?

- Volunteering/Shadowing: I would love to get hands on experience. I learn best that way. How would I go about asking businesses if they needed help? Go in person, call or text, email, all 3? Is that too much? I am not afraid to go and ask for the director of maintenance and schedule a time to talk or if they need help.

- Resume: Should I bring a resume? I haven't had a paying job in over 10 years. I wouldn't know the first thing I will be able to put on there. Being a mom is the toughest job I have ever had and I will never stop being a mom. I know that I am a hard worker, reliable, handy, detail oriented and teachable (not afraid to ask questions).

If I'm being honest, as a mom I do a lot of things for my family like sewing (lots and lots of mending), maintaining our home (I have learned more about plumbing than I ever care to and do not aspire to be one. Plumbers are true heroes in my book!), putting furniture together, stuff like that. There is more but they don't really apply for this post. I'm always on the move taking care of our family.

- I am a petite 5 ft woman. Would that be a hindrance, asset or advantage? I'm not particularly strong. I understand this is a male dominated field which I am fine with. Not afraid to ask for help if I need it.

Anywho, yeah. Help a mom out please! I super appreciate it! Thank you!

I’m thinking about commuting to an airport about a hour and a half away it’s 4 days on 4 days off 10 hour shifts. It would be nice if I could purchase a van and make it int like a camper and stay on property so I could drive down 2 times out of the week instead of 4. I’ve heard of people doing this but idk if this is very common for places. obviously as I get closer to moving on that’s something I would ask but I am curious as to how common that is to do.

So I’m currently working full time as a ramp agent at ORD for United and I’ve been looking into going to A&P school. Right now the main schools I’ve been considering are Rock Valley College in Rockford since it’s way cheaper, AIM, and Lewis University.

My biggest issue is balancing work and school since I’d still need to work while going. I could maybe consider going part time too if that makes things more manageable. I’d also have to commute back and forth from work and school so I’m trying to figure out what would realistically be the best option long term.

Would it make more sense to go with the cheaper route like Rock Valley even though it’s farther, or spend more for something closer to work like AIM or Lewis?

Also for anyone who’s been to these schools or did A&P while working, how are the class schedules usually? Do they overlap a lot with normal work hours or are there evening/night classes available? Just trying to see what would actually be doable while working at the airport full time.

Hey guys I’m an A&P IA training for their instrument at this time. I’m usually on my field all the time and see a lot of meet ups but generally do not go to any of them due to not knowing anyone. Is it acceptable to walk into (I.E. an EAA meeting of some kind) an fbo or, to walk along the hangars to get to know people? I’m used to working out of a big hangar but recently have been looking at starting my own shop. For you aircraft owners, is it cool to just introduce myself? Maybe I’m overthinking this haha. It just seems weird, considering I have my badge, and myself just walking up and down an airport.

how likely is it to make mistakes coming in after school right now i’m a auto mechanic i make mistakes all the time on cars but does the fear of killing everyone on a plane make it a lot less likely or??

Guys who went today in LGA how was it? Don’t hold back!

I just got my A&P license recently and I was hoping to work with envoy. I had a couple friends who got their license last year and was hired right after finishing school with envoy. I applied twice this month and I keep getting a rejection email, I redid my resume twice with ChatGPT. Also got a rejection email from breeze airways, I don’t know if it’s my resume or what.

I enrolled in George T Baker in Miami for their A&P program and was told there would be a 8 month to 1 year wait list. As I have read on this sub it appears a lot of people apply to both Baker and Broward and most people decide to go with Broward because of the shorter completion time. If anyone has gone to George T Baker or is currently in it did you have to wait your full wait time or were you called earlier. If so how much earlier?

Also is there anyone specific we can call to check on our placement in the wait list over the next coming months?

I do car work and was about get a Hercules ratchet for it but since I hopefully will have my a&p in a year wondered if that was a good choice

Hello everyone,

So I had a quick question. I recently had an interview at a place that works on private charter jets as an air frame and power plant technician but they want me to quit my current job at a major at a major where I am a ramp agent and the job is very flexible and I can give up all my shifts. I really don’t wanna quit the ramp job because of the flexibility and the healthcare but the job I applied for tells me that I must quit. Would you quit if this was if you haven’t had any A and P job before? or would you just keep both even if they told you you had to quit?

I had an opportunity to interview and test at a Major and I blew it like a loser. I completely choked and didn’t know how to do anything. I let myself and everybody I love down man. I don’t even know what to do anymore. The problem is the test was actually pretty easy and i still did awful. Maybe this isn’t the career for me. I’m sorry I am bringing this BS on Reddit. Fuck!! I really wanted it

Is American Airlines open Vacancy for Avionics Technician seperately or is just Same as like Aircraft Maintenance Technician. I have Avionics Experience on Boeing and Airbus A/Cs I recently got my A&P I want to join American Airlines in DFW or I can join in Tulsa for the time being but I want to continue as a Avionics Technician so what should I do please advise. Thank you

I've looked at a few different schools that specialize in maintenance like AIM (Aviation Institute of Maintenance) but I've heard it can get extremely pricey and I should take the community college route. If I were to do the community college route what courses would I even need to consider taking or where can I look to find that info? Or is there an alternative that could lead to better growth?

I'm sort of new into all of this but I've always had a pretty strong desire to work in this field. I would obviously like to take the cheaper route but if I have better chances and can learn more somewhere else, I'd rather pay the difference than give that up.

( I also have a tour with AIM tomorrow to learn more about their school but I would like to hear from outside sources who have more experience.)

Just passed my written with a 76!!!
I swear I felt like I was going to get an 80 MIN. Whatever passing is passing now to reference all the codes correct?

Also any suggestions on how to study what to study for the Os&Ps?

Also, if possible recs for any DME in the Westcoast? But open to any thanks in advance!