3 answers
Jessie
Student
Elmhurst, NY
1
Question
Updated
768 views
How do I become an Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT)?
I am currently a sophomore at Aviation High School. I want to get both my A&P licenses. My school offers these licenses. If I'm still FAA and I pass all the qualifying exams (General and Airframe or Powerplant) I can get either the Airframe or Powerplant license by the end of senior year. In my junior year, I can apply to a program called "Fifth Year." This program allows me to stay at my school for another year to get the license I did not get yet. However, this program is very competitive.
What do I do if I don't get into Fifth Year? If I only get one of the licenses, can I still become an AMT? How do I get the AMT job? Are any airlines going to hire someone with no experience even if I have the license? Are there any internships related to aviation I can do? If I get both my licenses, what do I do next? Do I have to go to college? Should I go to college? If I go to college, what should I major in? How am I going to find an AMT job?
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3 answers
Matthew Crean
Maintenance Manager
2
Answers
Denton, Texas
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Congratulations Jessie on being a student of what sounds like a very competitive aviation school. Aircraft maintenance is a very serious service and a school with high standards engenders the right mindset for working on aircraft. Furthermore, even though I have moved on to leadership as my vocation, becoming and working as an AMT for 20 years has been the most transformative experience of my life and taught me very valuable life skills that I use daily. Now, on to your questions and my suggested next steps:
What do I do if I don't get into Fifth Year?
I would look to see if your school offers advisors or guidance on this. Your school should be more grounded in your situation than me. But since you asked here, my opinion would be not to worry yet. First things first. Instead, find out why your program is structured this way. Once understood, then your decisions on the path forward will be more informed. I can only speculate on your situation as I don’t know your program. I suspect your program is this way so as not to waste the school’s resources on those that don’t take aircraft maintenance seriously. However, after you have proven you get the significance and detail oriented mindset of being an AMT, your school rewards you with a “Fifth Year”. But I am just guessing here and this is why I recommend you go find out for yourself the school’s intent behind this design.
If I only get one of the licenses, can I still become an AMT?
Yes. You will be limited though in what work you can do at the start of your career. This reduces your options in how you would choose to provide value to the organization you work for. So it is best to get both. If forced to choose one over the other, I recommend starting with the Airframe and General license.
How do I get the AMT job?
You apply to a job posting. Today’s job market for AMTs is amazing. Licensed technicians are needed almost everywhere. So the answer to your question depends on what you’d like to work on. What makes you most excited to learn about and see your part in making it operate? For instance, most of my AMT class went to work in non-aviation markets: space, trains, ships, and industrial machinery.
Are any airlines going to hire someone with no experience even if I have the license?
There is currently a shortage of AMTs in the industry so I would not worry too much about this as demand is exceeding supply. I would focus instead on being more competitive - learning the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to be a great AMT by doing safe and quality work.
Are there any internships related to aviation I can do?
Yes. For example, most major airlines have an apprenticeship program.
If I get both my licenses, what do I do next? Do I have to go to college?
No. That said, getting a bachelor degree not only makes you more competitive in the job market, it broadens your career growth options. For example, it would have been harder for me to transition into a second career as a Leader had I not gotten a college degree in business.
Should I go to college?
I recommend it. Continuing to grow by gaining further knowledge and then applying that gained knowledge (such as in a job) is a powerful way to make a positive difference in the world. Feel free to post that as a separate question to learn more.
If I go to college, what should I major in?
This is your choice as this needs to fit who you are: your strengths and your interests. If you currently don’t know your strengths, there are many ways to go about this – some more effective than others. Feel free to post that as a separate question as well. Additionally, if you know what industry you want to work in – general, commercial, or manufacturing, then I would tailor your major to the industry such as a business, data analysis, or engineering degree.
How am I going to find an AMT job?
You’ll have to do the work and search for the job you want: the company, the location, the type of work, etc. Your school should help with this resource-wise. I recommend finding job posting services that specialize in the industry you want to work in. Follow the trail from there. If you are not sure where to work or for whom, I’d start by asking your classmates their plans and then ask your instructors as well. Also, find other AMTs and ask them. That said, once you are hired and have three to five years of experience, you’ll have several paths you can follow from there if you choose to go in a different direction.
What do I do if I don't get into Fifth Year?
I would look to see if your school offers advisors or guidance on this. Your school should be more grounded in your situation than me. But since you asked here, my opinion would be not to worry yet. First things first. Instead, find out why your program is structured this way. Once understood, then your decisions on the path forward will be more informed. I can only speculate on your situation as I don’t know your program. I suspect your program is this way so as not to waste the school’s resources on those that don’t take aircraft maintenance seriously. However, after you have proven you get the significance and detail oriented mindset of being an AMT, your school rewards you with a “Fifth Year”. But I am just guessing here and this is why I recommend you go find out for yourself the school’s intent behind this design.
If I only get one of the licenses, can I still become an AMT?
Yes. You will be limited though in what work you can do at the start of your career. This reduces your options in how you would choose to provide value to the organization you work for. So it is best to get both. If forced to choose one over the other, I recommend starting with the Airframe and General license.
How do I get the AMT job?
You apply to a job posting. Today’s job market for AMTs is amazing. Licensed technicians are needed almost everywhere. So the answer to your question depends on what you’d like to work on. What makes you most excited to learn about and see your part in making it operate? For instance, most of my AMT class went to work in non-aviation markets: space, trains, ships, and industrial machinery.
Are any airlines going to hire someone with no experience even if I have the license?
There is currently a shortage of AMTs in the industry so I would not worry too much about this as demand is exceeding supply. I would focus instead on being more competitive - learning the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to be a great AMT by doing safe and quality work.
Are there any internships related to aviation I can do?
Yes. For example, most major airlines have an apprenticeship program.
If I get both my licenses, what do I do next? Do I have to go to college?
No. That said, getting a bachelor degree not only makes you more competitive in the job market, it broadens your career growth options. For example, it would have been harder for me to transition into a second career as a Leader had I not gotten a college degree in business.
Should I go to college?
I recommend it. Continuing to grow by gaining further knowledge and then applying that gained knowledge (such as in a job) is a powerful way to make a positive difference in the world. Feel free to post that as a separate question to learn more.
If I go to college, what should I major in?
This is your choice as this needs to fit who you are: your strengths and your interests. If you currently don’t know your strengths, there are many ways to go about this – some more effective than others. Feel free to post that as a separate question as well. Additionally, if you know what industry you want to work in – general, commercial, or manufacturing, then I would tailor your major to the industry such as a business, data analysis, or engineering degree.
How am I going to find an AMT job?
You’ll have to do the work and search for the job you want: the company, the location, the type of work, etc. Your school should help with this resource-wise. I recommend finding job posting services that specialize in the industry you want to work in. Follow the trail from there. If you are not sure where to work or for whom, I’d start by asking your classmates their plans and then ask your instructors as well. Also, find other AMTs and ask them. That said, once you are hired and have three to five years of experience, you’ll have several paths you can follow from there if you choose to go in a different direction.
Thank you so much for taking the time answering all my questions. I really appreciate it!
Jessie
Wayne Johnson
Maintenance Programs at Alaska Airlines
81
Answers
Auburn, Washington
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
If you don't get the 5th year at your school, once you graduate with your Airframe or Powerplant Mechanics License, you can look into the aviation programs offered at various community colleges. With your "A" or "P" license they should place you in the program to get the license you do not have. At the Community College where I taught if you have your "A" or "P" license, you could acquire the other license in 3 quarters. Each quarter was 10 weeks. The community college fees are fairly cheap compared to colleges like Spartan, Embry Riddle, etc.
Thank you for the advice!
Jessie
Steven Boyce
Director of Maintenance
24
Answers
Wenatchee, Washington
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Jessie
You have a number of options. A&P mechanics are in high demand. Research the type of company you wish to work at (airline, aircraft manufacturer, repair station, mro, etc). Then look at the location you wish to work and see what facilities are nearby. Build a good resume with your schooling and the certifications you do have and start applying. There are many locations where you can hire on without a license at all. Once hired you have several paths to get your other certificate. You can work the job and document your training and the work you do. Then after building sufficient time you can apply through the fas to take the test. Many companies also offer help in doing this as an incentive as well. As for college, that is a personal choice. Find a field of study that helps increase your focus on aviation and maintenance.
Hope this helps. You can message me direct if you need more information.
You have a number of options. A&P mechanics are in high demand. Research the type of company you wish to work at (airline, aircraft manufacturer, repair station, mro, etc). Then look at the location you wish to work and see what facilities are nearby. Build a good resume with your schooling and the certifications you do have and start applying. There are many locations where you can hire on without a license at all. Once hired you have several paths to get your other certificate. You can work the job and document your training and the work you do. Then after building sufficient time you can apply through the fas to take the test. Many companies also offer help in doing this as an incentive as well. As for college, that is a personal choice. Find a field of study that helps increase your focus on aviation and maintenance.
Hope this helps. You can message me direct if you need more information.
Thank you!
Jessie