Getting your A&P

[mallen]

I have read several articles on getting your A&P by using your hours of working on your home-built and also being proficient in the hanger. My question is what can you really count towards your A&P from online seminars and even online schools?

[martymayes]

I have read several articles on getting your A&P by using your hours of working on your home-built and also being proficient in the hanger. My question is what can you really count towards your A&P from online seminars and even online schools?

Here ya go:

§65.77 Experience requirements.
Each applicant for a mechanic certificate or rating must present either an appropriate graduation certificate or certificate of completion from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school or documentary evidence, satisfactory to the Administrator, of—

(a) At least 18 months of practical experience with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes, or powerplants appropriate to the rating sought; or

(b) At least 30 months of practical experience concurrently performing the duties appropriate to both the airframe and powerplant ratings.

Re: "Documentary evidence, satisfactory to the Administrator" Go the the FSDO and have them define exactly what that is cause that's who you have to convince you have the requisite practical experience.

Online classes for A&P are not gonna happen.

[mallen]

I looked into Spartan College in Tulsa. They have the online side of classes that count towards the FAA hours but you still need to go there for 7 months to complete the practical experience side about 50 hours per each of the 15 3 college credit hour of classes.

[jam0552@msn.com]

I don't know if you can use online seminars or schools, but I got my A&P about 30 years ago by building an experimental aircraft, a replica of a 1911 Stahltaube, or "steel dove." I documented about 4000 hours of work designing, building and test flying the aircraft over a 3- year period. I worked closely with the San Jose FSDO and a designated mechanic examiner from Gavilan College. I needed to take the oral, written and practical tests at Gavilan College. So there are ways to meet the practical experience requirement without going to an accredited school.
Joel Marketello

[Bill Berson]

I requested a letter from each aviation employer documenting my total months on the job.
And a letter from the I.A. that signed off my Aeronca Chief restoration.

[mallen]

Thanks Joel. I will be building most likely a RV-12 but even doubling the time will still leave me short. I plan on having A&P's to come and do sign offs but they took the traditional way of schooling and have scratched their heads on online classes and seminars counting for time when asked. I would think that online seminars that count for AMT credit would count for time as would some of the engine classes you can take from the manufacturers. I do think talking to the FSDO might clear it up but still wondering if anyone recently went this route and fined out what was approved.

[jam0552@msn.com]

One other thing was an issue for me- turbine engine experience for the "P" rating. I got plenty of reciprocating engine experience but turbine engines are so valuable and scarce, that only accredited schools have engines to work on/study.
Joel Marketello

[Auburntsts]

Sorry to rain on your parade but don't kid yourself into thinking that building a modern kit, especially as one as easy as the RV-12 remotely gives you the experience anywhere near what you need to be a competent A&P. IMO building barely gives you the necessary chops to qualify for a repairmans certificate and I built a plane way more complex than a 12.

[gbrasch]

I am also under the impression that any work you do towards the hours for the license has to be under the direct supervision of a licensed mechanic who is on the work site.

[enginesrus]

One other thing was an issue for me- turbine engine experience for the "P" rating. I got plenty of reciprocating engine experience but turbine engines are so valuable and scarce, that only accredited schools have engines to work on/study.
Joel Marketello

It still amazes me that the FAA hasn't split up the Turbine and the Reciprocating Power plant rating, it makes zero sense to have them combined, they share nothing in common except a propeller if it is a turbo prop. I just don't understand the lack of logic. I remember in the past hearing about ex military jet guys trying to get P ratings that had zero recip experience so it so makes sense to make them separate ratings. Jet mechanics never deal with magneto timing nor cylinder pressure differential tests etc.
One other question all I see is A&P rating here, cann't you still get one or the other alone? And what about an AI or IA what ever it is called now, can that be also had for one or the other? And then where does power plant stop and airframe begins, at the mount to fire wall? Or engine to mount?