A&P schools

[bombardierfixer]

Hey I'm in the process of getting my A&P, has anyone gone to a school out west? I've found a few but I'm just looking for a testimonial. I'm just looking for the "here's a thousand bucks, gimme my A&P" schools, not the long drawn out course that would probably do me some good, but I really don't need to learn how to read a ohm meter again.

Cracker Jack box joke goes here:_________________________________________

[motox415]

I went down to Helena 10 years ago and wrote the exams. They were fairly easy. Why don't you do the same. Do you require confirmation that you need the license to work on an N registered aircraft from a company before the FAA will give you an approval to write? No sense waisting time and money to go to one of these schools.

[bombardierfixer]

my buddies who went that route said that they wished that they just did the quicky school thing. I don't need a letter, I was born in the USA, so its not required. I do need a letter from transport to confirm my license ect, though.

[qa guy]

I am planning to get mine as well this spring. I also want to go the quick route since I am already an AME. Keep us posted on how that goes for you. I will send out any info that I find as well.

[bombardierfixer]

Well I already found a school in Riverside California, for me it would be the cheapest to get to, and the FAA test office is right next door. The owner said he's got a really high sucess rate. I was just hoping for a school closer to my Sister that I could find but so far no luck. He said that they have a lot of CDN's going through, he knew more than the FAA guys. Its www.avtech-exams.com. Its 10 days so the most expensive part is the hotel but at least I can run it through my company.

[plainfixer]

I did avtechexams in 2005.
Pre read written questions before you go. in the question books cross out incorrect answers, so you can only read question and correct answer.
I did whole thing in 3 days, only problems I had was getting a practical examiner in short notice(well they did)
There is a cheap motel within walking distance, food is a bit of a hike up road, pub nearby.

Get your FAA pre approval before you leave for the school. to find other schools, google " fast track method." I got a buddy who did Long Island school. No problems there.
There was another school in houston, but I think they may have closed down.

[Bones]

Honestly guys, these "fast track" things are a big waste of your time and money. I just got my A&P the "old fashioned" way, and it took me a total of 4 days.

Day 1: Interview/approval with FAA
Day 2: All 3 written exams
Day 3&4: Oral and Practical testing.

All told my expenses were $100 US for each written exam, and $450 US for the O/P. You're going to waste money and time on traveling and hotels doing these 10 day courses. There's a reason why the Canadian guys "never have a problem"! Because you ALREADY KNOW IT!! Just grab those Jeppesen A&P study guides, brush up for a day or two and give 'er. You'll spend the whole 10 days at these "schools" being bored out of your mind!

Just because there's an "easier" way doesn't mean it's better!

Just my $0.02, and I know it's not going to be the popular opinion here either.

[dashx]

Bones:

Where did you do all this?

[Bones]

Vetter Aviation in Helena, Montana.

But if you go to the FAA website you should be able to find a "DME" (Designated Mechanic Examiner) in a state of your choosing. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to coordinate with them to get this all done over the course of a few days.

I may have misled a bit in my previous post because due to some personal scheduling conflicts I had to do the written exams and interview in Seattle, and the O/P exams in Helena. The reasons for this were because I needed it ASAP, and I had a contact for a guy in Seattle (like everyone else I was lost trying to figure this all out on my own). I could schedule the written tests no problem, but the DME's in the area were backlogged for the next 2 months. So I looked around to other places and found the place in Montana that took me in right away.

There's no reason that if I had went there first that I couldn't have done it all in Montana if I had my act together. So you need to find an FAA office, a place approved to administer the written exams, and a DME. They're usually close to each other, some DME's will be able to give the written exams too. In fact I think that most can. If all goes well it should only take a few days.

[plainfixer]

Bones,
Don't forget to tell everyone that the way you did the A&P has one small hitch.
If you fail any one exam you have to wait 30 days before re-test. Unless you find an A&P holder who can coach you in areas failed and then sign you off as profficently trained in that area.

Now the "Fast track" school can have you all sorted within minutes of failing, no need to go find someone.

Thats the only reason why I went to the school, coz I did not have the time to fart around finding someone, in the off chance that I might have failed an exam.

plainfixer.

[Bones]

Very good point.

I forgot all about that part actually, haha.

I guess I'm just trying to say that I'm nothing special and I didn't have any troubles. I can understand the reasons for going to the fast track schools, it's just worth pointing out that the alternative isn't nearly as difficult as we all seem to think due to what was involved in getting the A.M.E. license.

Like I said, a couple days with those study guides, and you'll be surprised at what you remember. The ASA Prepware 2009 program was good too, I picked it up the night before my exams for some last minute cramming at a pilot supply store at Boeing field. It had some questions in it that ended up on the tests the next day. A couple of days with the books and that program and you're laughing.

Don't think I wasn't stressing going into it! If I could've found a fast track school in time at a reasonable price I probably would've done it too!

In any case, good luck. Having that thing opens a lot of doors, I'd recommend everyone getting it.

[bombardierfixer]

Thanks for the input bones. Yeah I'm just hedging my bets cause I like to freak myself out about exams, and its a excuse to go to Disneyland during the weekend. Then I also get to miss those Calgary May snow storms.