Hey Matt, good to see your well on your way. I really don’t know how our aircraft mechanics apprenticeships here in Alberta but most construction trade apprenticeships require about 1560 hrs of on the job work followed by 8 weeks of full time schooling at a tech college per year, again quite a few being 4 year programs. In both electrical and Instrumentation your final year is 12 weeks of school and two major tests at the end, a TQ(trades qualification) test and your Red Seal, which allows you to carry your ticket across provincial borders and tends to be a little tougher. So about 6240 hrs of on the job work and 36 weeks of full time schooling. Needless to say to say, pretty big party once it’s all successfully done. 😃
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!
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.
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
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.
Hey Matt, good to see your well on your way.
I really don’t know how our aircraft mechanics apprenticeships here in Alberta but most construction trade apprenticeships require about 1560 hrs of on the job work followed by 8 weeks of full time schooling at a tech college per year, again quite a few being 4 year programs.
In both electrical and Instrumentation your final year is 12 weeks of school and two major tests at the end, a TQ(trades qualification) test and your Red Seal, which allows you to carry your ticket across provincial borders and tends to be a little tougher.
So about 6240 hrs of on the job work and 36 weeks of full time schooling. Needless to say to say, pretty big party once it’s all successfully done. 😃
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!
Have you gotten your 8610-2 signed off yet? How was that process/interview and what documentation was asked for?
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
Do it once.
Hey, do you have any info on how I can become an apprentice? How did you apply and what airline do you work for, if you don't mind me asking?
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