วีดีโอ

Haha, ya never know. Amazon wanted a review video for the foam tips but what do you really say about them? Posted it here too for the heck of it…

It really all depends on what part of the industry you’re in and where you’re located. In general, you’ll make more money working on jets than piston GA aircraft. But there’s a huge shortage of mechanics right now and companies are having to pay more to get them across the board.

That's completely up to you, insurance premiums have gotten much worse since this video came out.

Absolutely 👍! I didn’t say it in the video, but I have been getting extras of these tools for my garage as well. I’m still looking for a variable light output magnifying glass. We also use an older one made by Champion spark plugs that works great but isn’t as bright. Can only find them on eBay though.

Good tip on the Klein scissors, I’ll have to look into them. I honestly haven’t even tried using my Klein strippers on 20ga and smaller yet after having abysmal results with another brand. But I’ll give it a shot and see. As to the crimping, thanks for the feedback. 👍I’m doing it the way i was taught to. I’ll experiment with what you said as well. On insulated terminals with harder plastic, the prong absolutely punctures the insulation. The terminals we use from Edmo seem to have a softer plastic and do not. I’ve honestly never been happy with crimping using the “insulated“ section, seen them come apart from multiple mechanics in different fields. Part of why i jumped in to using the prong when i saw it.

It looks like a solid option for just starting out. I have no experience with this exact pair but it appears to be a step up from some other bargain brands. I do however have some other Ares tools that are well made and have been holding up. Certainly worth giving them a shot at that price. Thanks for putting these on my radar, I may need to try them out and do a comparison video.

@@LeftSeatAdventures Thank you very much for replying. I am a parent with no experience but my son would like to pursue a career in aviation maintenance with school starting in August. The program he has enrolled in requires all students to have ready all the tools in a long list near school starting time. Otherwise they will receive failures and will not be able to advance in the program. A lot of the required tools are either not on the lists of other aviation maintenance programs or are considered optional, and some are not even in the tool chest of another TH-camr who has been in the field for more than 10 years. All the tools except the power tools in your list are required by his program-the power drill is implicitly required because several other required tools are to be powered by it. TH-camrs such as you are a great resource and help to people like me since you have the experience and expertise. Thank you again.

Awesome, happy to help! Interesting, the local school here has students buy a curated set from Snap-On. Most schools and the military say no power tools, but when you’re out in the field it’s a requirement. I’m going to hop over to your other question, but let me know if there’s anything else you need.

All good suggestions, some like the 30/60 wrenches will already be in the next one. Modifying/ grinding down cheap tools is definitely something we do too, but I think it'll be it's own video. Where do you see tri-wing hardware being used? I've seen them in other industries, but not our aircraft yet.

@@LeftSeatAdventures Boeing has stopped using them but you can still find Tri-wing hardware on aircraft spruce. The only time I have seen them is on older Beechcraft. The frustating thing is it was only one or two on a panel or randomly holding a tinnermen nut. Like the last mech lost a screw and replaced it with the first thing he found.

Awesome! We all got to start somewhere, but you’ll be an expert in no time and be set up for a great career down the road.

@@LeftSeatAdventures thank you friend

Absolutely! 👍

Absolutely

They did on this one, but it’s not always the case. Too bad i can’t film it at work..

Ok. 🤷‍♂️

I like that idea, this is what my boss has us do in our shop.

Yup, on this one but not always. Wanted to be sure as i was mating up the exhaust.

Good idea! 👍

😆 😆 😆

Same shit

🤓 Actually in my industry, they’re called MS24665 Cadmium plated cotter pins. 😆 FAA standard nomenclature, but I’ve heard it the other way in other fields.

This time. 👍 (Unfortunately i couldn’t film this trick at work where we do this all the time. ) I also wanted to be sure as i was mating up the exhaust.

Awesome! 👍 I learned it from my boss who’s been doing this for 37 years. (Who probably learned from his boss! 😆)

Uh oh. What did he get?

@@LeftSeatAdventures nothing hurt his area his planes in the back the 2nd to last shop

Mostly true on this one, but i use this trick in my day job where it is. Should’ve picked a better “set” to film. Cheers!

Thanks!!

I think some people want to stick with what in there mind is the most simple. Less systems equal less points of failure. Some people want see a newer design well proven by others before they'll take the chance. The development of automotive conversion (or any new design) engines has not been without it's hiccups. And then some are in fact stuck in cognitive dissonance and will never except anything new. In the case of the Rotax 9 series, it's lighter, more efficient and a tighter tolerance design than legacy engines and has millions of proven flight hours. But I know people who still refuse to have anything to do with them. (Especially those w/ 30+ years of aviation mechanic experience.) In the end, go with the engine design you believe is best and prove it out, maybe you'll convince some holdouts.

Thanks!

I hear ya! I was 37 when I started down this path as well, similar situations too. So, it is possible to apprentice on the weekends however it's going to take a VERY long time to get to where you can do it full time. (It's 18 months of experience to get a repairman certificate working as a full time apprentice.) Less shops or individual technicians are less likely to bring you on for only weekends. We have a young guy in our shop who went to school for industrial maintenance, hated it, then came to be an aircraft mechanic apprentice. He recognized the opportunity in avionics and decided to focus on that while building experience for the A&P. You don't have to be an A&P to work on or in the avionics field, but that is one way to get there. Plus, I think it makes you more knowledgeable and more marketable in the field. I leveraged my experiences (and a two week course) to break into the field as an apprentice. I started out making less, but made it up shortly after proving myself. Another approach is to check out the Aviation Electronics Association (AEA) which is a trade organization for avionics shops, installers and manufacturers. They have an Aircraft Electronics Technician Certification (AET) course they teach over a weekend to give you the base knowledge to enter the avionics field. You can also use that to obtain a repairman's certificate. That might get you in the door for full time work right away. aea.net/aet/ Please let us know what you end up doing. Good luck!

@@LeftSeatAdventures yes I did look up the AET online a few weeks back it seems they teach a few other courses too. Are you saying I should get the repair station certification? That will get me a job asap for avionics technician right away without having to get an apprentice position that’s what I’m hearing? I first I did thought about going to school for A&P but I realize my budget and going to work then straight to school wasn’t going to work out for me. Maybe if I younger this would be possible but I can’t see myself at my age do that with my lifestyle. I thought about even applying for a repair station at some kind of warehouse in my county. I’m not sure if that’s the same or not in order to become a avionics technician

Cool, glad to hear you already knew about the AET. I only recently learned about it when our company joined the AEA. The FAA is kinda vague on avionics technician requirements. In researching the AET, I found multiple companies saying they would rather hire somebody with at least that over somebody with zero experience. What I'd say to do is reach out to some local avionics shops, let them know you're looking to get into the field and are considering the AET and even a repairman certificate, and see what they have to say. There is a definite need for avionics techs all over the country, each place will have their own requirements.

@@LeftSeatAdventures do you know where I can find a practice test for aet ?

I do not. I’d say to reach out to the AEA about it since they run the program.

Absolutely! 👍 I’m glad it helped.

Not yet for the A&P, i won’t have enough hours until the beginning of next year. I did one for my repairman certificate and it wasn’t too bad. It was at an faa approved training course so there wasn’t much to look into. We have another apprentice in the shop who just completed his 8610 and the faa is coming to interview him next week. It’s really up to the individual inspector as to what part of your logs they’re going to question you about.

Also, his documentation was just the 8610 (unsigned), recommendation letter from our IA, and his logbooks.

Hey quick update. The FAA was here this week to talk to my coworker. They reviewed his 8610 forms and logbooks and I’m told it was an easy straight forward progress. Didn’t ask too many questions. Mostly they were just impressed that he had everything logged in good logbooks. Apparently, many applicants do not. So if you don’t have one, i recommend getting a good logbook: amzn.to/4eIu8uz

You can do it! When you have doubts in the future, remember this moment and why you started down this path. Something I remind myself when it gets hard...

Absolutely! They're pretty robust and should have no problems in your application. Just make sure the wiring harness is secured properly and isn't bouncing around. I see the same issue a lot in my day job.

Honestly, the best way to do it is to find out what airports and maintenance shops you have around you and call them. Ask to speak with their director of maintenance about an apprenticeship. (Timing is everything as I've talked to a few who had just hired one and didn't need me. ) If they do have an opportunity, now you have to sell yourself. What makes you different from other applicants? Do you have any aviation or similar mechanical experience? Do other mechanics already know you and would give you a recommendation? General aviation is a small community most DOMs know each other. Most (not all) turbine operations won't take on an apprentice. It's easier to get on with a smaller piston shop. If they have a flight school and part 135 charter certificate, that's icing on the cake.

Also, I talk more about what I did and how I set myself apart in this video: th-cam.com/video/kL3P3GIsFTA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=hH51JZjM5yAtgj5R

Good to hear, that's awesome! 👍 I know what you mean, but it's satisfying to break away from what's "safe" in pursuit of what you love. Let us know how you're getting along in the future. I want to learn more about how Canada does it too.

I've absolutely added more tools, now I just need a bigger box. I have 2 more videos coming up, one I just have to finish editing. 2nd is viewer recommended tools.

@@LeftSeatAdventures Thank you so much because Im a new student

Cool! We've had a couple students come through from Penn Tech. Both got a basic tool set and small rolling cabinet from snap on. It's a good start but definitely not everything you'll need. Does your school have someone like that?

Maybe. Aviation is a huge field, it's really up to you. If you've gone as far as you can where you are and are unhappy, time to find the next opportunity.

Awesome, thank you! 👍

Yup, definitely not too late! I was 37 when I finally broke into aviation. If you can handle the bills and family life balance, school is a good option. Otherwise, being an apprentice at least lets you get paid to learn. You won't start out making much, but raises will come after you prove yourself. I'm glad these videos helped, let us know what you end up doing.

Agreed, I no longer do either. Wish I could update this old video to reflect that.

Awesome! Hey, it counts as aviation experience and should help you get a foot in the door somewhere. My boss is reluctant to hire anyone that doesn't have at least some experience even if it isn't directly mechanic.

Absolutely! 👍 I'm glad they're helpful for you, definitely more on the way. Thanks!

Sorry, I do not.

Absolutely! I keep 3 different length pairs in my toolbox.

Exactly! Unfortunately, it is something I'm asked regularly. Seems the aviation community has some work to do.

Wow, suddenly I don't feel so bad about mine. 😆 It's 4,800 hours of on the job and then I'm choosing to use a 2 week program to finish up. But in reality, you could study for and take an the tests on your own. But I think a proven program is worth the cost. Good to see ya Wally, thanks!

Awesome! 👍👍👍 How have those first 6 months been for you? Similar to my experience or different? I'm putting the finishing touches on my 18 month video now.