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

I know IAH is huge but theres also Hobby? Does anyone know how big of a chance I have of getting into one of the major airlines there like United or FedEx once I get my A&P?

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?

Greatest achievement of my life

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

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.

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.

Will she be down for good? RIP quick Resets.

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.

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😮‍💨

Moving into airframe now. Let’s go!

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??

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.

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…

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.

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?

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.

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)

So I’m considering my next steps after school and I’m interested in joining the air force as an avionics tech, specifically the RAF as I’m in the UK. I’ve spoken to serving avi techs at recruitment events and they’ve said that it is fairly easy to go straight into the airlines after you’ve left the military as the experience is highly desirable, however as far as I know you don’t get a B2 license in most cases whilst in the RAF and I do take what they say with a pinch of salt as they are recruiters after all. Does anyone know how easy the transition is, and whether you can go straight into a high paying job, or would you need to get extra qualifications and training and settle for lower wage whilst you gain airline experience? Any information/advice is appreciated, as I’m struggling to find much about this online, especially for avionics techs which may be a bit more of a niche specialisation. Thanks in advance! :)

Hello!

Just wantes to pop in and ask, since I've seen conflicting posts elsewhere.

In the UK, to be a B1/B2 mechanic for an airline, do you need full colour eyesight? I'm red/green colourblind, however I can distinguish between red & green [and different shades], and it doesn't affect my day to day life at all. Was thinking of an apprenticeship after A Levels.

Thank you!

Hey everyone,

I’m a 17-year-old guy from Europe, and I am seriously looking into joining an EASA Part-147 academy to chase my B2 Avionics License [B]. I love the idea of working with aircraft, and honestly, I'm so happy I stumbled onto this subreddit with people who actually live this reality every day.

Before I fully pull the trigger and lock myself into the training pipeline, I have some raw questions about the lifestyle and long-term path. I would appreciate it if any active B2s or veteran hangar crews could give me the unvarnished truth on these points:

1. The Daily Grind: What is the everyday life actually like for a B2? With those intense 12-hour shifts, is it an exhausting, bone-crushing job, or is it more of a clean, mental puzzle [B]?
2. The 4-On, 4-Off Schedule: How does it actually feel to live on a 4-on, 4-off rotation? Do those massive blocks of consecutive free days give you real work-life balance, or does the shift rotation wreck your body clock [health]?
3. Travel Perks: What is the real deal with travel benefits? Is it true that airline techs get heavily discounted or practically free standby flights (ID90/ZED perks) to travel around Europe/the world [B]?
4. EASA Portability: With a clean EASA Part-66 B2 book, can you actually pack your bags and go contract or work pretty much anywhere across Europe and international aviation hubs smoothly [B]?
5. The Robotics/Mechatronics Pivot: If I hold a B2 license but decide later in my 20s that I want to transition off the active tarmac, how well do our skills transfer into industrial robotics, automation engineering, or mechatronics systems [B]?

I really want to make sure I'm entering this career with my eyes wide open. Thanks in advance for backing up a newbie. looking forward to reading your stories!

My Dad will be retiring from the Tulsa maintenance base at the end of the year after 43 years of service!

In these 43 years, I have NOT ONCE seen where he actually works despite years of my wondering what it's like and asking him to arrange something.

Now, I'm sure clearances are involved, red tape, etc. is it impossible?

TLDR; Is there anyone who could point me in the right direction for a tour of the AA Tulsa maintenance base?