A newly minted A&P mechanic asked Fred Robel for some advice.
#avgeek  

Originally shared by Fred Robel

My Aircraft Mechanic AMA got queried again:

Q: “I am a brand new A&P. What advice would you give to someone like myself, especially in regards to improving my skills? I came into school with virtually no mechanical experience, so the last 2 years were a growing process for me.”

A: One word: Diversify.

For your long term career health, try to diversify as much as possible in these beginning years of your A&P career.

You will probably get stuck in one department or another, if you work for a large outfit, and that’s fine. Learn all you can, and try to be the best you can be (learn the manuals and how to find what you need in them!). But whenever you can, take the opportunity to work outside of your department specialty. Lend a hand to Avionics, Sheetmetal, Composite, Powerplants; whenever you can. An extra hand that knows how to do things will seldom be turned away when it is needed.

“Help me…… buck this rivet, ring out this wire, hold this bolt while I torque the nut, get the vacuum set on this composite repair….” All things that help you learn a little bit more.

Eventually, you’ll probably settle into one speciality; maybe start moving up the ladder; and that will make it harder to do other things. So do it now, while you are new. It will pay off in the long run, when you want to try being an inspector, or a manager, or a maintenance planner. Experience helps you make better decisions.

If it is hard to branch out at work, then think about any local aviation museums. Places like the Yankee Air Force are always looking for qualified volunteers. You’ll learn a ton from the old retired guys that are usually there.

I have some standard advice I give too: Don’t go into deep debt with the tool truck (Snap-On, etc); just get a decent box, and decent tools; you can add the fancy stuff later as you need it or can afford it. People might sometimes tease you for having Craftsman tools or the like, but you’ll have more money in your bank account. (Except for the Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver, with the hard plastic handle; those cannot be beaten. Well worth the money)

Don’t step on too many toes, or piss too many people off needlessly. This industry is smaller than you can imagine. Often you’ll have to go back to work for a place you never thought you’d go back to; or work with/for someone from the past who wasn’t your favorite person. Just keep it professional when in doubt.

http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4420-aircraft-mechanic

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