r/aviationmaintenance • • 3d ago

Weekly Questions Thread. Please post your School, A&P Certification and Job/Career related questions here.

1 Upvotes

Weekly questions & casual conversation thread

Afraid to ask a stupid question? You can do it here! Feel free to ask any aviation question and we’ll try to help!

Please use this space to ask any questions about attending schools, A&P Certifications (to include test and the oral and practical process) and the job field.

Whether you're a pilot, outsider, student, too embarrassed to ask face-to-face, concerned about safety, or just want clarification.

Please be polite to those who provide useful answers and follow up if their advice has helped when applied. These threads will be archived for future reference so the more details we can include the better.

If a question gets asked repeatedly it will get added to a FAQ. This is a judgment-free zone. We all had to start somewhere. Be civil.

Past Weekly Questions Thread Archives- All Threads


r/aviationmaintenance • • Jul 25 '22

A library of resources to help the world learn

786 Upvotes

Hello all you mechanics, technicians and maintenance personnel out there,

I've recently finished AMT School and gotten my A&P Certification, currently still in school for to get my GROL & AET Certification. But in the nearly two years I've been in school, I've amassed quite a large library of study guides, notebooks and reference material. You can find it here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Alf4AQNY3cyaRiNg6MKeZy2eJgybeZN2?usp=sharing

A contents breakdown:

  • Block Notes: PowerPoints of every subject I studied in school
  • Additional Certification: AET & GROL studies
  • Advisory Circulars of note in training
  • Avionics studies
  • E-books: A library of textbooks across the industry
  • FARs
  • IA Study guide
  • King Audio/Video: Video lectures on nearly every subject, and mp3s of those to listen when you can’t watch
  • Notebooks: my notebooks, from school, scanned into PDF
  • Study Guides: this is the big folder - Audio and Written study guides for all three written tests and the Oral exam
  • TCDS relevant to my schooling
  • Tool catalogues - because we all need tools
  • And a mac & cheese recipe (because you can't study on an empty stomach)

I've built this to be used by the students at my school, but there's a whole helluva lot useful to anyone studying for an A&P, or any other Certification. I maintain it on the regular and update occasionally, when I get through a significant portion of schooling enough to upload something new. So one day you might check it and be like "Ah! He's gotten on to studying for his IA! Cool." And these resources are for everyone. I ask no compensation for it, some men just want to watch the world learn.

So my pitch to the mods was: sticky this link on the sidebar of the subreddit, so those who are looking for guidance on how to get an A&P can be directed there.

I figured putting it there would be better - since it wouldn't need to be stickied to the top of the feed or just keep getting posted.

Take a look at the Drive and see what you think. Be advised, the technical manuals and reference materials were really what was used for our school and are posted there -FOR REFERENCE ONLY-. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS refer to current and applicable manufacturers maintenance manuals or other approved data for real-world maintenance. And if there's something out there that you think would be useful to add to it, message me here on reddit or shaunthesailor87@gmail(dot)com and we'll put heads together to see what we can come up with.

I'm often one to quote wiser men than I am so I'll leave you all with one from Bruce Lee:

"Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own."


r/aviationmaintenance • • 5h ago

B25 run up

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82 Upvotes

Not my video, but the museum did a run up for an event. As you can see it was at night which means you can see the fire coming out of the exhaust pipe. Very cool thing to see


r/aviationmaintenance • • 13h ago

How to be more mindful of my work as a mechanic?

31 Upvotes

I got sent home early because I accidentally left a rag in the engine cowling (GA).

What can I do to be less forgetful of little things like that? I want to be an aviation mechanic and I want to be a better one. I’m only 5ish months into it. I thought maybe keeping a checklist I can go over for each job to make sure everything is done thoroughly. I know the FAA has that maintenance checklist but I’m thinking something more detailed like “Did I lubricate? Did I torque correctly? Did I remove all tools after I was done?” etc. Is this something any of you do? I dont want to think I’m just not the type of person for this career, I don’t see why I can’t just adapt to my own habits and make checks for myself to make sure everything is done properly. So I really need some kind of tips or plan on making sure everything I do at work is really airworthy.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

Passed my General!

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69 Upvotes

Greatest achievement of my life


r/aviationmaintenance • • 13h ago

NCATT AET vs AEA CAET

2 Upvotes

Just looking for input on which one I should go for and what the different is?

Is one of these better than the other? I want to actually learn and not pump and dump for a worthless piece of paper.

Any recommendations of digital prep courses or anything? I like the structure of a proper course instead of searching YouTube. I don’t mind paying.

And before people start telling me not to waste my time…I know they’re both nothing more than a resume booster and I’ve had my A&P and GROL for years and work at an established airline. But while I’m working month on and month off. So basically I just live in a hotel and don’t know what to do with myself so I figure I might as well better myself in some way instead of searching for the bottom of Netflix.

I’m also open to other course/certificate suggestions that can be done remotely. Just trying to make good use of my time. Thanks!


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

Okay, who did this?

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121 Upvotes

r/aviationmaintenance • • 15h ago

Career Advice

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’m approaching graduation with a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering, and I’d really appreciate some career advice on entering the rotary-wing aviation field. I’ve been fascinated by helicopters since I was a kid, and pursuing a career in this field has been a long-time ambition of mine.

As a fresh graduate, I'm currently considering two possible paths:

1. Aircraft Maintenance License – EASA Part-66 B1.3

Pursuing a B1.3 license through an EASA Part-147 training course, with the goal of building a hands-on career in helicopter maintenance, gaining practical experience, and eventually becoming a highly skilled maintenance specialist.

2. Master's in Airworthiness / CAMO / Maintenance Engineering

Pursuing a professional Master's to build a career in CAMO, Technical Services, fleet management, or OEM technical support.

I've been thinking about this decision for quite a while, going back and forth between these two options, but I still haven't found a clear answer. I genuinely enjoy hands-on maintenance, but I also see the potential in the engineering and airworthiness side of the industry.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts:

- As a fresh graduate, would you recommend starting with hands-on maintenance and pursuing a B1.3 license, or going straight into further education and technical engineering roles ?

- How valuable is practical maintenance experience when transitioning into other technical roles later in your career ?

- For those who started in maintenance, how has your career developed? Is it possible to progress into senior technical or specialist positions while staying close to the aircraft ?

I'm also open to alternative paths I might not have considered.

Sorry for the long post.., but this is something I've been trying to figure out for a long time. I'd genuinely appreciate any advice or personal experiences you could share.

Thanks for taking the time to read and hope you all have a great day!:D


r/aviationmaintenance • • 17h ago

Fastener sourcing

1 Upvotes

I am in need of a large quantity of D5 DZUS fasteners, but the innards only, I don’t need the 3/8” shell. They also don’t need to be fully MS. Anyone have any leads on where I can snag a bunch?


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

Aog tools

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15 Upvotes

I got my new case for AO. G for CRJ platforms. I am wondering if there is anything else i might be missing or recommendation to fill it


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

How long do I have to do night shift ?

13 Upvotes

I’m a current A&P student at Vaughn in nyc expected to graduate in may 27. I heard a lot of different rumors for what it’s like in the industry. The ideal goal is to start at a major and stay there forever. I mainly wanted to know is it even likely to start at a major in nyc? And when I do get in one how long until I have enough seniority to not have to do night shifts ? Please give actually helpful info, just saying “it’s gonna suck a lot” is never helpful.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

Mobile. airlinetechs.com

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26 Upvotes

Will she be down for good? RIP quick Resets.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Passed my generals today!

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200 Upvotes

Moving into airframe now. Let’s go!


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

Transitioning from lab electronics radar work to avionics.

4 Upvotes

Good morning friends,

Just trying to get some advice. Ive been working for the dod contractor for about 8 years. I work on IFF radars on ground systems/boats.(For those that dont know IFF radars talk to aircraft transponders) I recently got a job offer for avionics technician which im really excited/nervous about. I do not have military experience or a&p working directly on aircraft. Have you seen this before or been in a position like this. How did it turn out? Regardless im going to work on my a&p while working this job.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Well I did it!

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47 Upvotes

I feel very accomplished but also slightly disappointed I didn’t get a higher score, I guess a pass is a pass. Just worried about my orals I guess, even though that’s a bit away for me😮‍💨


r/aviationmaintenance • • 1d ago

Would an AME-focused community be useful?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’ve been thinking about how fragmented AME-related discussions can be, especially for students preparing for DGCA/EASA exams, OJT, licensing, aircraft systems, and career-related questions.

I’ve started a separate community focused specifically on AME students, licensed AMEs, and aviation maintenance professionals, with the aim of creating a space for discussions, study resources, experiences, and career guidance.

I’d be interested to know if others here feel there’s a need for a dedicated AME-focused community as well.

If you’re interested in joining or would like to know more, feel free to DM me.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Biobor treatment and draining water are not optional...

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84 Upvotes

otherwise your tank might end up like this. Pic 1 is borescope inspection of the feeder tank, Pic 2 is a sample of the water/contaminated fuel mixture that we got out of the tank during pressure cleaning.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Suspended License

26 Upvotes

Unfortunately I drove a vehicle (not mine) without insurance and rear ended someone. Might get my DL suspended. Would the major airline I work at fire me??


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Any tips on removing 172 panel studs?

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9 Upvotes

Most of the studs had a nut on the back, but a few are riveted somehow. Do I have to drill out the back or is there a better way?


r/aviationmaintenance • • 3d ago

What is it like working at a major airline

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102 Upvotes

Hey guys I currently work for a corporate charter company and the pay is pretty good. But man is the job extremely boring… I know that's an odd thing to complain about but I truly enjoy being a mechanic and want to be good at my job. I come from a very fast paced environment being a mechanic and crew chief on Blackhawks in the army. So I guess I’m just not used to being lazy all day with nothing to do. What is it like working for the airlines is it worth leaving where I am at now. I also live in Florida and don’t really wanna move but not completely opposed

Pic I took yesterday (Still in the national Guard)


r/aviationmaintenance • • 3d ago

Does every shop have one of these guys?

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94 Upvotes

r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Please I am seeking for advise..

0 Upvotes

Hello Guys, Please Advise me if you are really has an experience in the field and as well experience in the life.
I am a mechanical Engineer with a Bachelor’s degree from overseas when I came to states I working on my Bachelor’s Evaluation and because my Bachelor’s was from US Accredited university I did my US degree Evaluation.
Now, I have too many paths one is to go for the license (Whatever school 145 or Apprenticeship). The other paths as Engineer in any company maybe related to the aviation industry maybe no.
The third path is to go with my research as PhD student for a new technology which is I had experience in this way too,

Actually guys I prefer to work with my hands and I knew it (This career as Aviation technician will not be replaced with AI or any of this sort)

Please advise me guys and don’t narrow it with oh you are engineer vs technician because I don’y give any consideration for the titles…


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

How do you handle task card sign-offs and audit prep at your shop?

0 Upvotes

Curious how this works in practice. Paper cards, spreadsheets, or an MRO system?

When an auditor asks you to prove a step was done, by whom, against which manual revision, how painful is it to pull together? And how much time goes into chasing down referenced documents mid-task?

Would love to hear what works and what doesn't, especially from smaller shops.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Decal or stencil?

2 Upvotes

Good day all, im a lurker here, but theres the time i need to ask something. Mostly to the guys that handles airbus

How can you differentiate if an external marking in airnavx is a decal or painted using stencil reliably?

Airbus shows description of placards, in mechanical drawing of the marking it says placards/label.

But my higher up says the drawing looks like a painted because theres no background or edge, so it is not a decal.

But in searching of airnavx there are some sections that states alternative part .stencil under the .placard description with an added 41Dxxxx on the partnumber.

Thankyou all.


r/aviationmaintenance • • 2d ago

Just a reminder, the “day” between two night shifts is just a nap with a deadline… also don’t spend that $0.50 shift differential all in one place 🥴

0 Upvotes