Everyone is hearing about the "pilot shortage" going on, it's nothing compared to the current A&P shortage in the US. A young kid that wants to work on airplanes can write his own ticket. There are opportunities out the wazoo.
Printable View
So you can build a plane and apply the time for an A&P. What if I only want the P? Building a plane powered by an automobile engine gives said person zero Jet/ turbine experience. So how can I do the P, just like a person can the A&P? And who do you contact in the FAA to find out?
Might want to check with the FSDO to ascertain if experience with auto conversions will count toward the 18 months practical experience for a mechanic certificate w/ powerplant rating. Just having the calender experience does not mean one can pass then requisite testing. I had to demonstrate several task with turbine engines during my powerplant oral and practical tests. Had I not known anything about turbine engines it would have been an unsat or pink slip as it's called and I would have been sent home empty handed. FWIW, one of my A&P school instructors became a DME (examiner) and he said the highest failure rate was military guys with no prep because they did not know anything about reciprocating engines. Second highest fail group were people testing on practical experience. Simply do not get a well rounded education that way.
The contact at the FSDO would be the maintenance inspector on duty. Call tell the receptionist / operator that answers that you want to speak to the maintenance inspector on duty, if s/he is busy they will call back. At the East MI FSDO, the front line manager is an A&P and all around good guy so if that happens to be your FSDO that's who you can talk to.