AME to Pilot?
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- thatsa130-iflya180
- Rank 1
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2007 6:28 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
AME to Pilot?
I just graduated from the BCIT AME(M) program. I have 260 hours TT on a PPL and i'm working on my CPL. I love flying, but an entry level pilot job locally is much harder to come by than an AME apprentice job!!
Is it possible to get in a company as an AME and then after a few years 'graduate' to a pilot position? Or would I have to switch companies if I wanted to switch careers?
Also, do people frown on AME/pilots? I would never do both at the same time. I've heard too many stories about that!
Is it possible to get in a company as an AME and then after a few years 'graduate' to a pilot position? Or would I have to switch companies if I wanted to switch careers?
Also, do people frown on AME/pilots? I would never do both at the same time. I've heard too many stories about that!
I'm going to be in a similar situation to you. I have my ppl, and start college in a few days for Aircraft Maintainance. After college I intend to get my commercial license and go from there, starting out with fixing, and who knows, maybe eventually flying. From everything I've been told it's a definite plus having both your AME and Pilot Licences. I've actually seen a couple of job ads for flying that stated that candidates with AME licence are given preference.
For both of you.. Having both licences (as I do) can be both a good thing and a bad thing depending on who you are working for. Most companies will try to take advantage of you and basically get you to fly them all day and fix them all night. There are however some companies who will not only recognize the benefit of your experience but also make it so they cannot take advantage of you.
Where I am is a good example of the latter. My main job these days is in the hangar, and when I'm there I cannot (by policy) and will not go flying on a revenue flight. When I am doing my odd day of flying, I will not, and am not allowed (by our QA Manager) to sign out an airplane as an engineer. This removes the problem that happens way too often of a company wanting you to do double duty.
I wish you both good luck in your careers and if you have any questions feel free to ask..
Cheers
Where I am is a good example of the latter. My main job these days is in the hangar, and when I'm there I cannot (by policy) and will not go flying on a revenue flight. When I am doing my odd day of flying, I will not, and am not allowed (by our QA Manager) to sign out an airplane as an engineer. This removes the problem that happens way too often of a company wanting you to do double duty.
I wish you both good luck in your careers and if you have any questions feel free to ask..
Cheers
- thatsa130-iflya180
- Rank 1
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2007 6:28 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC