Do you have an interest in becoming both a pilot and a mechanic? You would be surprised how many pilots hold a mechanic’s license. There are some advantages to being both. I discuss:
- How you can be an operational asset because you can repair items which break and a mechanic is miles from your location.
- Certain seemingly simple repairs must be signed off by a mechanic especially if it includes a safety wire.
- Some pilot jobs including corporate jobs require a mechanic's license.
- Story of a simple bird strike which grounded our plane and how having a mechanic on board saved the day.
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Interview
Teresa Ferent of National Aviation Academy in Clearwater, Florida invited me to speak with a variety of employees at their Clearwater Florida facility. National Aviation Academy has a long history of training mechanics and recently has added pilot training to their curriculum. I have worked with many of the mechanics and pilots who have graduated from the National Aviation Academy and can say first hand that they provide outstanding training.
We discuss:
- Job Prospects for Mechanics and Pilots
- According to Boeing Aircraft “Airlines will need 23,300 new pilots and 30,000 new maintenance personnel per YEAR from 2010 to 2029.”
- Financing Your Education.
- Advantages of having both a pilot certificate and aviation maintenance technician certificate (AMT).
- AMT programs offered by NAA.
- Why mechanics should consider aviation training.
- Pilot programs available.
- Why FAA part 141?
- Degree programs offered and the benefits of a degree.
- Veterans Benefits - 2 week transition training.
- Locations.
- Association For Women In Aviation Maintenance.
- Free Application For Federal Student Aid.
- AMT Society Scholarships.
- Women In Aviation International.
- FinAid! - The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
- FastWeb - Scholarships, Financial Aid, and Student Loans.
A special thanks to those I spoke with at National Aviation Academy Including:
Teresa Ferent, Community Resource Representative
Angie Capriotti, Director Of Career Services
Richard Rios, Director Of Student Finance
John Okenfus, Assistant Director of Admissions
Marty Carpenter, Director Of Admissions for Professional PIlot Technology.
Recommended Products and Services:
The National Aviation Academy website has one of the most extensive repositories of information concerning careers as Aviation Maintenance Technicians and Pilots. They have outstanding online presentations concerning job prospects, salary expectations, and how to get your certificates. This is the first website I tell folks to turn to for information concerning becoming an aircraft mechanic. Even if you are not planning on attending the school I highly recommend the information they provide on this website.
For those who are interested in getting a jump start on becoming an Aviation Maintenance Technician or for those who already are AMT’s there is a handy reference for the iPhone and the iPad. I use their app for pilots and think it is one of the best organized and easiest to read Aviation Regulation reference for a mobile device. For more information on what is included in this reference click below:
Listen to Episode 006:
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