1 answer
Vincent
Student
Saint Joseph
1
Question
Asked
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What better Airplane mechanic or car mechanic
I love cars and airplanes only if i can do both i will but i don't know how pick . Please give some ideas
What better for the economy #mechanics
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1 answer
Andrei Levcovici
Chief Inspector at Flexjet
62
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Andrei’s Answer
Hello Vincent,
Great question, however, you are really the only one that can answer that.
I too, love both cars and aircraft. One day, a Mig 17 flew over my kindergarten, and instantly I knew that my life was going to revolve around aircraft. Ran home and told my Dad about the speed, the sound, the sight, all the details and especially the way my hart was racing. The next weekend he took me by the airport and a model club that happened to be near by. Since then, I started to build models, read books, watch movies and learn everything I could about aircraft. When it came to choose a High School, Aviation HS, was the obvious high school for me. Now, Aviation HS in New York City is more focused on the mechanical aspect. Up to that point, I was going to be a pilot. Then I learned that I can fix things, and I was pretty good at it. Finally, at 18, got my first car, a Mercury Cougar (my parents did not trust me with a sports car, so this was the compromise). Very quickly found out that the Ford Mustang drivetrain will bolt in without any modifications. Now, I had my hot rod Cougar! I worked on my car, my friends, parents, family and even some neighbors cars. But I realized that this was my hobby, not my passion. Graduated Aviation HS with my diploma and the FAA Airframe and Powerplant license. To work on aircraft in the USA, you need an FAA A&P license.
There is a lot more training required to be an aircraft mechanic. There are a lot more systems and electronics on an airplane than on a car. Also, a plane can't pull over on the next cloud if something goes wrong. The responsibilities are huge, everyone's life on that airplane depends on your craftsmanship. You can't always bring an airplane into a hangar or a garage, so some of the work happens outside regardless of the weather, because passengers depend on that plane to be ready on time. And when its all done, if you fixed it right, no even knows you were there. You know when an airplane lands, and everyone starts clapping, are they clapping because the mechanic spent all night making sure that everything on that plane will work as its supposed to, or is it for the pilot who drove it to the next stop. However, there is something immensely satisfying about watching that plane take off for its next destination. Aviation is not for everyone, its not forgiving on errors, it could be very rewarding, it requires extreme dedication, and therefore I always advise people to make sure they get into aviation because they love it and can't think of anything else they would rather do. Most airlines offer flight benefits, this means that you can fly for free anywhere that airline goes. You can also transfer from one shop to another, you may be able to work summers up north and winters in Florida. Right now there is a shortage of aircraft mechanics, so demand is high and the pay scales are rising.
My father-in-law is a life long auto mechanic that retired from Mercedes Benz, and still works on customer's cars. He worked on every car out there that you can think of (except those new electric ones), and loves every minute of it. I still love working on my cars, but I no longer volunteer to fix everyone's car.
You have to do some soul searching and see what make you tic. A job is something that you have to do in order to live. If you do what you love, you will not work a day in your life.
Spend some time around airports and spend some time around auto garages, and see what attracts you more. Look for apprenticeships or internships to get an inside look at what life is like in those places. Don't be afraid to start as a cleaner or baggage handler to get your foot in the door. Aviation is huge, do some research and narrow down what you want to focus on (helicopters, military, airlines, private/corporate, museums, etc.). Auto-mechanics are big as well (gas station mechanic, dealerships, corporate fleet, limousine fleet, hot-rod shop/ custom car fabrication, race cars, trucks/busses, ground service equipment, etc.).
Good luck!
Great question, however, you are really the only one that can answer that.
I too, love both cars and aircraft. One day, a Mig 17 flew over my kindergarten, and instantly I knew that my life was going to revolve around aircraft. Ran home and told my Dad about the speed, the sound, the sight, all the details and especially the way my hart was racing. The next weekend he took me by the airport and a model club that happened to be near by. Since then, I started to build models, read books, watch movies and learn everything I could about aircraft. When it came to choose a High School, Aviation HS, was the obvious high school for me. Now, Aviation HS in New York City is more focused on the mechanical aspect. Up to that point, I was going to be a pilot. Then I learned that I can fix things, and I was pretty good at it. Finally, at 18, got my first car, a Mercury Cougar (my parents did not trust me with a sports car, so this was the compromise). Very quickly found out that the Ford Mustang drivetrain will bolt in without any modifications. Now, I had my hot rod Cougar! I worked on my car, my friends, parents, family and even some neighbors cars. But I realized that this was my hobby, not my passion. Graduated Aviation HS with my diploma and the FAA Airframe and Powerplant license. To work on aircraft in the USA, you need an FAA A&P license.
There is a lot more training required to be an aircraft mechanic. There are a lot more systems and electronics on an airplane than on a car. Also, a plane can't pull over on the next cloud if something goes wrong. The responsibilities are huge, everyone's life on that airplane depends on your craftsmanship. You can't always bring an airplane into a hangar or a garage, so some of the work happens outside regardless of the weather, because passengers depend on that plane to be ready on time. And when its all done, if you fixed it right, no even knows you were there. You know when an airplane lands, and everyone starts clapping, are they clapping because the mechanic spent all night making sure that everything on that plane will work as its supposed to, or is it for the pilot who drove it to the next stop. However, there is something immensely satisfying about watching that plane take off for its next destination. Aviation is not for everyone, its not forgiving on errors, it could be very rewarding, it requires extreme dedication, and therefore I always advise people to make sure they get into aviation because they love it and can't think of anything else they would rather do. Most airlines offer flight benefits, this means that you can fly for free anywhere that airline goes. You can also transfer from one shop to another, you may be able to work summers up north and winters in Florida. Right now there is a shortage of aircraft mechanics, so demand is high and the pay scales are rising.
My father-in-law is a life long auto mechanic that retired from Mercedes Benz, and still works on customer's cars. He worked on every car out there that you can think of (except those new electric ones), and loves every minute of it. I still love working on my cars, but I no longer volunteer to fix everyone's car.
You have to do some soul searching and see what make you tic. A job is something that you have to do in order to live. If you do what you love, you will not work a day in your life.
Spend some time around airports and spend some time around auto garages, and see what attracts you more. Look for apprenticeships or internships to get an inside look at what life is like in those places. Don't be afraid to start as a cleaner or baggage handler to get your foot in the door. Aviation is huge, do some research and narrow down what you want to focus on (helicopters, military, airlines, private/corporate, museums, etc.). Auto-mechanics are big as well (gas station mechanic, dealerships, corporate fleet, limousine fleet, hot-rod shop/ custom car fabrication, race cars, trucks/busses, ground service equipment, etc.).
Good luck!