3 More Things That Suck For Aircraft Mechanics And 2 More Things I Love.

[@eiselbay]

The pay difference is insane. If you google avg pay for an A&P its like 50k. I just started working avionics and will be finished with a&p school in May, I'm only pulling 40k and my boss expects me to leave as soon as I get my tickets. I just spoke to my friend that got out of school 5 years ago, he already capped out at Delta as an engine overhaul mechanic and grossed 280k last year. A repair station guy I work with did 6 months in Henderson building 4 helicopters from the ground up and made 200k. Overtime was a big factor in both of these but I really feel like the industry is who you know and jumping on opportunities that present themselves. Fingers crossed I can get to know the right people at the right time lol

[@glenn_cheatham]

I just got my A&P earlier this month. Have been working on and flying GA airplanes for almost a decade. I was fortunate enough to make about $17-20/hr while doing my OJT and when I wasn’t making that I was working on my own aircraft. Something you might mention in a future video is how important a crunch school is for people not going through a 147 school. After taking all the tests I don’t know how anybody could pass it without it. I went to Baker’s. Anyway, Glad I found you. I appreciate the videos and bringing awareness to GA mechanicing. Happy wrenching!

[@brycebuildsit]

I did a video I wiel back on crash courses. I also went to Bakers when I got my IA and will say they are great at what they do

[@brucekeller5259]

The airlines are hiring now. There is also a possibility that the new person will have to relocate to a high cost of living area. Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, LAX, all in hopes of bidding out and returning back close to home

[@MPerly]

You should do a video on the ways to get your A&P through the military. I am currently in that process and, depending on which base you are at, it is not as advertised as it should be. HMU if you need any information on this topic if you decide to look into it.

[@dantheman1998]

I'm going in 3 weeks as a Aircraft Structural Maintenance. Learning about what it takes to get A and P now also.

[@MPerly]

@@dantheman1998 I am ASM also. You’ll have to go through the JSAMTCC program. Specialists like us don’t get the Powerplant experience needed to test for the license so that program bridges the gap for us. But if you’re just going in now just focus on getting good at ASM because that’s what’s making your paycheck at the moment.

[@johnnnyboo7105]

I would recommend doing a course after you get out if you can. The expedited 2 week course i took and the 2 year associate degree course i took were like night and day. I understand that I did the same thing twice but I could afford to do it. I retired, got disability and bas from post 911 so I wasn’t struggling at the least. Just my .02

[@brucekeller5259]

Im sure some people like 3rd shift, 10-7am but your living life backwards from the rest

[@peachge853]

OMG, I'm new to this channel and I had NO idea you struggled with ADHD like I am!!! This is beneficial information. I am a recent high school graduate seeking to become an aircraft mechanic/aircraft structural mechanic/avionics mechanic, etc. I am enrolled at Middle Georgia State University and about to move on campus and start my term. I am going to get my associate's degree in Aviation Maintenance Tech or can switch to Aircraft Structural Tech in the future. I've spent so many hours researching, learning about the jobs my degree will qualify me for, what I can expect at the jobs, and the pay rate. This is not a career that I dreamed about as a kid, I'm still new to this field but the high earning potential and the way the job works is what's got me hooked and fully motivated to try it out. My main focus in life was trying to find careers that didn't require some fancy expensive degree that's gonna take me several years to get and I got stuck with a bunch of student loans and not even getting the job I went to school for. I am not just thinking about the pay, I've been trying to find out all about this career, the benefits, the drawbacks, the hours, EVERYTHING. As far as what I have learned, this is the job for me. I come from a very low-income family and it means everything to find the best options so I can succeed far better than my family. I'm really sorry for leaving this very long comment but all the information that you've covered has been very helpful whether good or bad. No matter what happens in the future, I am fully confident that I'm gonna succeed with this career especially with this amazing college that I picked. My college is partnered with Delta Airlines and other major airlines so most if not all students here at MGA have jobs lined up before they even graduate or not long after graduation. Not to mention my tuition is VERY affordable compared to other colleges. Again, $18 an hour is not that much money especially considering all the hard work and danger that goes into the job. But even if I get this degree and I'm stuck with lower pay like that, it's still gonna be ok. I am planning on moving out and living with a friend that's not gonna charge me rent and other expenses and will let me stay with them as long as I need to. So I will have more time to complete all the certification tests and everything I need to do. 30 an hour sounds awesome to me because I was raised by a single mother taking care of me and my brother making like 16-18 an hour and that's around what she makes currently. That is NOT the pay she got many years ago. Again we have always been very low-income and I have knowledge on how to survive in that bad situation. Again very sorry to leave this long message but it's just that i've got so much stress and problems going on, that's been going on ever since i was born, so it means a lot to me to find a career that's gonna be very rewarding. I do not wanna be low income anymore, i don't care if i don't make 100k a year or 80k a year. if i make at least 45-50k a year, i'm satisfied with that cuz it's WAY more money than what i grew up with. I am going to aim for the highest potential and try to make as much money as possible in this industry but i'm still contend with the lower pay. Ofc there's no guarantee this career will work but i have high hopes for it thanks to people like you and combined with my own research. Thank you very much for the information you have shared. You've just earned a new subscriber! :)

[@brycebuildsit]

Thanks so much for watching and sharing your story. Godspeed in your career and classes.

[@peachge853]

Thank you, btw sorry I didn't mean to post duplicate comments 😅

[@douglasslotolowicz9454]

I’m surprised Bryce didn’t mention Corporate Aviation as a high paying alternative. It’s generally not a standard 40 hour week, my experience over 40 years in Corporate was usually less, occasionally more, depending. Since I was not an hourly employee there was no need to wait for Mickey’s hands on the time clock to reach a certain position to go home. My pay was significantly in excess of the airlines with a lot of latitude to get the job done and on International trips traveling with the aircraft if something should crop up that needed an A&P to resolve or oversee a third party crew to resolve.

[@brycebuildsit]

I honestly just don't have any experience with the corporate world outside of one or 2 friends who work at the citation center. Thank you for your insight

[@Dunks789]

You can also serve your great country and get paid to do it and get the experience and signoffs to test. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@brycebuildsit]

Out of the 8 guys I work with 6 are retired military.

[@joshuabennett7334]

If you really want to be in aviation join the military on a aviation contract. Once in the military and you have 3 years experience they will pay completely for your A&P plus you get qualifications and skill to put on a resume. I thought I was getting out of aviation so I did not peruse my A&P but I have all of my OJT. I also can find work way easier than most people straight out of school because I have 9 years of experience been around the world. Worked in quality assurance and production control. All stuff that would have taken me decades to do in civilian world

[@brycebuildsit]

This is very true. Also, employers do like to hire former military.

[@XzadforSpacefox]

Talking to some shops, I was told they can't charge more to pay more because the hobbyist will be priced out. I thought wow, It's an airplane, it's expensive, I should take less so someone else can fly? I think the shops and owners are seeing that. Well some are. With how much everything costs, look at rent and cost to buy a a home, 25/hour isn't a lot anymore.

[@brycebuildsit]

Agree 100% why as an IA would I work for anyone for 25 an hour when I can make $100 on my own...

[@MatthewTracy-cd1ul]

Are shoulder issues a large hindrance in becoming a A&P? I am looking for a career change at 27 with a Masters and Bachelors degree. I have had a torn labrum and nerve issues. I can do anything with my right arm but my left arm struggles with lifting things above my head that are < 20 pounds. I can do anything with it up or down, side to side, I just can’t lift things above my head or it will pop in and out of place.

[@brycebuildsit]

I'm not gonna lie to you and say that it's gonna be easy. It's still very doable, but there are plenty of times where you will need to work above your head for extended periods of time. And/or lift weights and things above your head. After I shattered my collarbone and did physical therapy. I very heavily relied on my co-workers. I have met plenty of aircraft mechanics that are missing fingers or a leg or have whatever sort of disability it may be and are still very successful.

[@philmedor13]

Thank you for your videos, I currently a car mechanic looking to see if the jump to aviation is worth it and I like what I’m seeing so far

[@brycebuildsit]

Go check out my latest video. I'm doing a giveaway, leave a comment for a chance to win. And thanks for watching

[@raptor4211]

I'm actually very keen on becoming an amt at Delta. I'm active duty in the air force. However, my job involves maintenance on the ILS, Navaids, etc instead of aircraft for 6-7 years. I hope delta might consider it as enough experience for being a support mechanic with available OJT.

[@brycebuildsit]

Only one way to find out, if not you can always take a 147 program and get the A&P

[@GyroBlain]

Your comments are appreciated, and thanks for stating some of your experiences and limitations. Yes there are great variances in companies and pay. Mechanical aptitudes are also falling short, and it doesn't seem that many shops recognize this and may assume that every A&P is the same. (It doesn't seem that today's generation of mechanics grew up working on their own bicycles or got in trouble taking apart their dad's lawnmower, and that's really too bad.) I've seen this attitude with employers causing good experienced mechanics to resign. There are A&Ps all over that went to other industries. In my experience, there is a long list of other reasons of why I think becoming an A&P is a mistake. I regret my 40 years as an A&P. I'll never get back what I lost in my personal life because of decades working for the airlines. If you love it, that's great. Even with that said, a third of my long-term friends are from the industry. There are some great people in aviation.

[@professor1701]

Watched both of your videos now and the aircraft mechanic field is amazing I guess outside of a tiny town. The only a&p I know is working at the flight school I had worked as the computer and simulator techician. It is a GA operation with Piper Warriors and Arrows for training and rentals, but they work on Navajos and other small twins from time to time. They don't actually have an MRO certificate even though they always are working on customer airplanes. I left there because of finding out I had developed occupational asthma even though I did not spend much time in the hangar. Turns out all those chemicals you guys use along with the diesel fumes from the tug work their way upstairs into the office space I was in, and thanks to no ventilation system or windows, it just accumulated forever. This tiny place never had an OSHA or FAA inspection in the 16 years I've been there so I am wondering, when you work at a larger professional and regulated shop, do people really focus on safety above all else as we should? I witnessed this a&p who even has the coveted IA rating drop a new gyro pressure gauge for a Navajo from about 4 feet onto our concrete floor, pick it up, shake it by his ear, then put it back in its bag. I thought he planned to send it back to Piper telling them what happened, but next time I saw him he said he installed it in the customer's plane, and it wasn't reading right, so he was going to check other parts in the pressure system (in a Navajo). I left not long after seeing this because I was shocked. Curious how the ethics are in the real world where you work and see many others in aviation work.

[@brycebuildsit]

The flights school I worked at we regularly got visited by the faa. This was due to the fact that for a. We did have a 135. And our inspector lived in the next town over and liked to catch the football games on friday. So he would leave early and inspect us on his way home... I will say the place I worked for my boss and my team. All held each other to a very high standard of safety and accountability. The instrument being dropped from four feet and being put back in the aircraft would have never been allowed to happen. Obviously at much larger operations like United and Delta safety is one of their top concerns. But that's because they don't wanna pay lawsuits.

[@professor1701]

@@brycebuildsit It's good to hear that you guys would never do something like that. The funny thing is I was only a part timer, working one or two days a week, so makes me wonder if any other shenanigans are going on. The flight school is just a part 61, so really no oversight, and all the instructors are considered contractors. I've been out of there for a couple months now, and I did call the FSDO to report what I saw and that this guy told me he put it in the airplane. Watching your videos is exciting to see what bigger shops look like, and see all the comments from industry pros like you. I started my own channel using this name, and posted a vid of this incident as caught on the dvr (I was the IT guy and part of my job was backing up incidents, and I honestly thought we'd be making an insurance report on this). I subscribed and will check out your other stuff, great videos!

[@jamesbutler7559]

Professor, sounds like you’re trying to narc on A+P mechanics because you’re jealous. I been around dozens of people like you. Get your license and then you can fix all.

[@professor1701]

@@jamesbutler7559So you would drop an $800 gauge on the concrete and install it too? Need to find out where you work and tell your boss to read this thread and then check your work. People who can't own up to mistakes and would cover it up in this business should not be in it.

[@rafaeldelrio9987]

I had jobs pay $20 am hour im the nyc metro and some start me off at $40 being mainline, all being commercial aircraft expiersnce

[@fadedcomet]

do you have any recommendations for avionics? im really really interested in it as its all super neat things, should i pursue further into engineering? pay is pretty important but im more so focused on doing what im interested in- i am taking a 21 month course right now at a trade school for avionics and to get my a&p.

[@brycebuildsit]

I do not as I'm not an avionics guy myself, however I'll talk to one of my coworkers who is and see what he says.

[@fadedcomet]

awesome!! thank you so much :)@@brycebuildsit

[@dantheman1998]

Is it me, it seems the amount of certification and the starting pay are not looking great.

[@peachge853]

It's not a job for everyone, very challenging. But trust me it WILL pay off if you do it the right way.

[@brucekeller5259]

Things must have changed. I was offered $21.05 starting pay from United in the Northeast in 2011.

[@brycebuildsit]

Lots of mechanics retiring right now, airlines are struggling to fill the gap.

[@dieseltu1035]

It's 36 an hr to start .now. minimum at Un

[@brucekeller5259]

$36 hr, $75000 yr is not bad starting pay. Technically its "unskilled" labor. Good luck to you.

[@brucekeller5259]

I think Jetblue is about to declare bankruptcy due to mismanagement issues. And since American has handed out large wage increases and no profit in Q3 or Q4, they'll be asking for a "bailout pretty soon

[@MicMan03]

Bro I’m an apprentice and I got 1st shift!!

[@brycebuildsit]

To get the certificate quite a bit. But it depends on what field you are in. There is lots of math in sheet metal. However, line maintenance there is hardly any

[@Brigand17]

Seems like youtube messed up and put the wrong reply with the wrong comment :0

[@brycebuildsit]

Indeed, it did, and I somehow never noticed.

[@Warlords7]

what's the hiring market like in florida? specifically miami

[@brycebuildsit]

I can't say for sure but I know the airline industry is hiring mechanics everywhere.

[@fadedcomet]

FL is harder to land a job in as older mechanics come here to retire, which ends up in tons of seniority that you have to work through. Just research the facilities and hangars in your area and see what they offer, especially if you are able to tour the hangar too!

[@janvanenk4374]

@ansonjiang5523 what kind of papers do you have? you can try FEAM, or check which hangars there are at NW36st. You can try A-A or Delta, but as someone already mentioned, there are a lot of older technicians going to FL and they will have seniority. If I'm not mistaken, Miami Tech is also looking for mechanics. Then there are the foreign airlines, but for those airlines you most likely need an EASA part 66 license, or equal (A&P with EASA modules regulations and human factors). Lufthansa you can forget, they are a small team and do not hire at the moment. We (KLM) are still hiring, but I have no idea to contact you. Maybe BA ( not sure if BA is hiring though). After Brexit, BA is your best opportunity if you only have an A&P. LAN is also an airline you can try, they even have an Hangar on the cargo side.

[@brucekeller5259]

If your bi-lingual, English and Spanish, jump to the front of the line

[@Rocketroyale555]

We the unwilling, led by the unknowing, doing the impossible for the ungrateful.

[@brycebuildsit]

Someone needs to put that on a shirt

[@saulgoodman3994]

Can you ask some days to be day shift? Or do they not let you choose at all?

[@brycebuildsit]

I'm not sure, I know some places let you trade shifts they have a limit on how many you can in a given time frame though.

[@samuelsmith2112]

In your opinion is it better being a pilot or a mechanic?

[@brycebuildsit]

That's a hard one. As cheesy as it sounds I'd follow what you are passionate about. But pilots do make much more money however it's more expensive to become a commercial pilot then it is an A&P

[@kriscampbell5754]

Can the money be better working on helicopters and electronics?

[@brycebuildsit]

It can, rotorcraft and avionics, are both specialized, so it takes a different skill set. Skill sets are worth 💰

[@johntrott1872]

39 years as a second generation a+p love my 7 weeks of vacation,,just wish the new hires would have some experience in Aircraft overhaul first before you go to the line first but there is no more of us old folks left

[@kriscornett7061]

How much math is in air craft mechanics??

[@fadedcomet]

honestly- it depends on where you're put in the field (or what you choose) but its really not that much, hardest math you'll do equates to algebra 2/statistics

[@brucekeller5259]

Not much. You have to read and write. There are some people I have met as an aircraft mechanic that could not spell "cat" if you spotted them the "C" and the "A" first

[@chitangie]

Please i wish to be an apprentice . Where can i get the training?

[@brycebuildsit]

I'm not sure who has apprenticeship programs right now but I'd start looking at the bigger companies like Boeing.

[@banjo2019]

But wait… what if you’re NOT my favorite A&P IA!???

[@brycebuildsit]

I would be inconsolable. I don't know if I could sleep at night. Hypothetically speaking, of course...

[@banjo2019]

@@brycebuildsit 😄 Pilot here who actually loves your content even when it’s oriented toward mechanics.

[@Tlopez0]

Would you recommend this job, for someone who is a car mechanic currently ?

[@brycebuildsit]

Absolutely. I've worked on both and prefer aircraft. I want to build fast cars in my garage and it's easier to keep that hobby alive when I don't work on cars all day

[@fadedcomet]

there are TONS of car mechanics at my trade school getting their A&P, if its something you're interested in i highly recommend- plus you'll already understand how some thing work!

[@lanceschumacher5782]

I currently work with several guys who made the jump, biggest difference is aviation is cleaner, in general. They seem to enjoy it and we keep seeing more and more auto mechanics applying for the OJT he was speaking of. I’d tell you yes, A & P mechanics are in high demand!

[@brucekeller5259]

Yes. It's easier working on an airplane. B737, AIRBUS, etc

[@Fraiyia]

You mentioned on the job training? Now I can handle night shift that’s no problem that’s where I live. I don’t like the sun ! but how would one go about finding these on job training A&P positions to where you can get your certificate cause I’ve looked and am unable find anything …any info you have would help …

[@brycebuildsit]

I might not have done a good job explaining. After 3 years of practical work experience, you can apply for an A&P based on experience. Sometimes they may hold off on powerplant if you don't have any experience with recip engines but will give approval for the A. Then it's just self study or a crash course like Bakers School of aeronautics to get ready for the test

[@overstep4401]

Your US flag is improperly displayed. The blue field should be on the left hanging the flag that way. I knew that before I was an IA. Great videos!

[@brycebuildsit]

It has already been fixed, I had a fan blow it backwards and didn't notice for a couple weeks

[@Latchy876]

@brycebuildsit does being colorblind affect you obtaining a job or enrolling in a course of an aircraft mechanic ?

[@brycebuildsit]

There is no regulation against it to my knowledge, but there are some things that are color coded in aviation that you must be able to read

[@Latchy876]

Ok that’s great thank you

[@Latchy876]

@@brycebuildsitdo you know if there is a way to enroll in a online classes while serving in the army under a different mos or is this a definite hands on training

[@brycebuildsit]

I believe there are a few 147 schools that offer an online option for a limited number of course but as to where to find them I'm not sure

[@Latchy876]

@@brycebuildsitthank you I appreciate that a lot

[@InMyBrz]

YOU teach where ? ERAU ? I thought about teaching too, to be inside all day, not sweating your ass off outside Don't think it pays shit, maybe $20 an hour ? ANOTHER benefit is flight priveledges, you can gain hours for almost free and work for your commercial

[@brycebuildsit]

It depends on where you teach and how much overlaod you do. I make about 40 an hour for my teaching job and then I also run my side business. The thing you can't beat is the time off and schedule. I'm always off when the kids are.

[@InMyBrz]

@@brycebuildsit GREAT, I thought most teachers got paid something like $20 an hour in these small community colleges. I went to one school in FL and another in OKLA (hated it). Got AF but need to do PP

[@thatflymechanic]

The FAA got rid of the hour requirement so I went to a 12 month program. Paid 27k

[@brycebuildsit]

That's pretty fast as far as 147 goes do you mind me asking wich program it was.

[@thatflymechanic]

@@brycebuildsit US Aviation Academy in Denton TX I am taking my powerplant exam here in a little. Already did ge and airframe

[@Yearod]

@@thatflymechanicI’m joining that exact school in April. Is it worth it? Do y’all find employment after?

[@thatflymechanic]

​@Yeaarod I got my a and p 3/3/24 8 was not looking for the first 2 weeks I got it. Because personal life events happened. But now that I am really actively looking, you will get a lot of calls wanting you.

[@Yearod]

@@thatflymechanic that’s wonderful. Congrats. I have no experience coming in so I’m kinda nervous. How much are the offers usually around?