Aircraft licensing.

[Talk Wrench]

That statement is pretty much on the money. There is nothing difficult about passing the exams providing you are prepared to put the work in. I personally thought maths was a doddle compared to fitters course ONC and the physics based stuff was probably on a par with a bit extra thrown in. Mechanical guys tend to come unstuck with the electrical based modules (3&4) and the avionic module (5) as these can be very heavy going. Any subject that does not interest you also makes study that little bit harder. The air leg module (10) is of course a different ball game and you will be learning things that are totally alien.

Then there's the essay questions.The one for Mod 10 still leaves me quivering!!!

TW

 

[Dirty Harry]

Some of the legislation and terminology still confuses me know TW and I've been working with and using it for the last 4.5 years.

I remember the time when I was going for my first company approval prior to getting made up from mechanic to LAE. A 3 hour grilling in the form of an oral board with a senior QA surveyor. Part-66, Part-145, CAP747, ETOPS, MEL, concessions, company procedures, you name it and it was in there. I genned up for weeks to get through that.

 

[duffman]

Thanks for that I shall tell him all the info from here.

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

Some of the legislation and terminology still confuses me know TW and I've been working with and using it for the last 4.5 years.

I remember the time when I was going for my first company approval prior to getting made up from mechanic to LAE. A 3 hour grilling in the form of an oral board with a senior QA surveyor. Part-66, Part-145, CAP747, ETOPS, MEL, concessions, company procedures, you name it and it was in there. I genned up for weeks to get through that.

Throw in CDCCL, CPCP, SFAR 88 and other gems as well. There are as many acyromns in the civvy industry as there are in the military!DT_Xtremez_30:

CDCCL... Critical Design Configuation Control Limitations. Basically Fuel Tank intergity.

CPCP... Corrosion Prevention Control Programme. (exactly what it says on the tin!)

SFAR 88.. Special Federal Airworthiness Requirement 88. Brought in after the TWA Jumbo blew up when its centre fuel tank exploded. Many Corporate aircraft have aux tanks in their cargo bays and the FAA have banned the use of many systems installed to these aircraft recently as they don't meet the SFAR 88 standard. The corporate companies are up in arms!!



TW, my module 10 essay was "Tech Logs". Easiest essay of the lot!

 

[Talk Wrench]

I personally thought maths was a doddle compared to fitters course ONC and the physics based stuff was probably on a par with a bit extra thrown in. Mechanical guys tend to come unstuck with the electrical based modules (3&4) and the avionic module (5) as these can be very heavy going.

I absolutely hated maths at school and struggled with it at college and subsequently struggled with it during my RAF training. However, doing it again for part 66 was different. Things which I didn't understand became clearer and I found myself remembering maths and actually enjoying it.

For those wanting to go down the part 66 route, thing to remember about the maths module, is that you will need the knowledge throughout the part 66 syllabus. It's not a case of do the exam, pass it and bin it. For example, numbering systems and conversions, i,e binary, octal and hexadecimal, dealt with in Module 1, come back to haunt you in a big way when you hit Module 5 ( digital techniques) For the leckies and avionics types, there is a massive part on ARINC 429 and how to convert 32 bit messages to obtain information about how the various computers talk to each other. I found it heavy going at first but soon cracked it. The biggest problem was having no experience with ARINC so it was a new skill to learn.

The part 66 syllabus is actually very well done and is presented in such a way, that it gives you foundations in the early modules to give you a better understanding of the later modules.

TW

 

[Downsizer]

How much does a mechanic make as opposed to an LAE?

A link or two to jobs to compare would be helpfull perhaps...

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

How much does a mechanic make as opposed to an LAE?

A link or two to jobs to compare would be helpfull perhaps...

It depends on what you do, where you work, how long you work and what you hold in the way of approvals.

Basics I can quote from the top of my head.

Basic Mechanic/Fitter at a low paying Base Maint MRO.... 22K without shift pay and overtime (Shift can add a couple of Ks, Nightshift pay a couple more overtime even more). I do know mechs that can earn in excess of 30K but they put the Sundays in. This is an MRO that doesn't run a shift, most however do and this sort of money ain't possible. Some MRO's pay better, but 26/27K is the max in the UK.

Line station mechs.. Shift, usually 4 on / 4 off. 26/30k ish.

Connie Mechanic... UK rates are not brill, between 13 and 18 £PH. However a connie will work 60 to 80 hours a week. The money coming in is good, however if there is no work, you will be stood down.. sometimes for weeks... sometimes even longer, especially at the mo. Also to get the most out of it, you must run under your own LTD company. Umbrella companies will tax you if you are their employee + pay their NI from your wage.. I was under a brolly company and did an average 50 hours PW. I saw about 2/3s of what I earned.

Base LAEs start at as low as 26K (one type approval) for a 38 hour week.. More for O/T and Shift Pay. More for number of type approvals. Can earn 40K+. Gain the "C" cert and run an aircraft maint as boss? 45K +. Connie LAEs? 27 to 30 £ph in the UK.. Do 77 hours a week and work that out...

Line Station LAEs? DH will tell you that, but its top of the pile.. Connie Line Station Guys can earn even more!

 

[tonkaplonka]

I may be a little different as I work in Aberdeen on offshore choppers( cabs, helicopters, whatever anybody wants to call them!!) I took a slight pay drop to £28k to work as a fitter for 12 months. My employer, knowing that I had all Part 66 modules completed used this time to send me on two type courses.
I gained my licence in June this year and with one company approval I'm on
£45k. That's on the lowest shift allowance because I work base maintenance on permanent days.
My only regret is not leaving the RAF after 6 years instead of the 12 that I did!
Just biding my time and getting more experience for my 2nd approval.

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

I may be a little different as I work in Aberdeen on offshore choppers( cabs, helicopters, whatever anybody wants to call them!!) I took a slight pay drop to £28k to work as a fitter for 12 months. My employer, knowing that I had all Part 66 modules completed used this time to send me on two type courses.

You lucky bastawd.. Wish my lot would, but they know I will be doing a runner somewhere else..

 

[Dirty Harry]

Pay - Large UK Airline/MRO Line Maintenance

Pay - Large UK Airline/MRO Line Maintenance

As ILLKC has stated, there are lots of variables that can affect pay and the packages do vary considerably depending on who you work for. Third party MRO's tend to pay poorly in comparison to the mainstream airlines who have their own engineering departments. Some of these departments also undertake third party work for other airlines to generate additional revenue.

I work for a large UK airline/MRO on a very busy line station. Shift pattern is - 2 days, 2 nights, 4 off. We look after company aircraft and have contracts to provide maintenance services to other established operators. I've got the payscales in front of me so I can give you an approximate idea as to what the various grades earn.

Unlicensed Mechanic:

Basic - £26,000
Shift Pay - £3,200
Total £29,200

'A' Licensed Mechanic:

Basic - £28,000 (including licence pay)
Shift Pay - £3,200
Total - £31,200

The 'A' licensed guys also get an additional £500 per aircraft type on which they hold an approval. If they've got all 5 company types then you can add another £2,500 to the above figure.

'B1 or B2' Licensed Engineer (with one full approval i.e. B767 with GE CF6 engine):

Basic - £38,000 (including licence and approval pay)
Shift Pay - £3,200
Total - £41,200

You get more money for each approval gained up to a maximum number of approvals set by the company. Any further approvals are paid at a reduced rate. An airframe combination with more than one engine (i.e. A320 CFM56 & IAE V2500 engines) only attracts additional pay for the extra engine, you do not get paid for the same airframe twice. It's all very complicated but the beauty of it all is the more qualifications you have, the more money you get paid.

I've got 9 type ratings on my licence and hold all company approvals including full power engine runs and borescope inspection. I am also an engine run trainer and competance assessor but these functions do not attract additional pay. My basic including licence and approval pay give or take a couple of quid is £51,800. With shift pay my total package is £55,000. Overtime can bump up the above salaries considerably. We have unlicensed mechanics who regularly do +£40k a year and some of the B1/B2 guys have pulled in £80k. My P60 showed £72k last year without breaking too much sweat on the overtime. The downside is, anything above about £38k lines the tax mans pocket at 40 percent.

 

[duffman]

I'm not too sure where he wants to resettle, DH are those for a company in/around London/ the SE?

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

I'm not too sure where he wants to resettle, DH are those for a company in/around London/ the SE?

LHR, LGW, STN??? Yeah brother...DT_Xtremez_30:

As DH stated, 3rd party MRO's pay ****e compared to the major players... However I got into a permie job with one at a time when others are going bust / chopping people...

I did have an oppertunity to try Ruin Air at STN. I'm glad I missed the interview slot, cos the bloke who got it walked into my MRO two weeks later.. He said it was rubbish there!

 

[bigboss]

hey

hey

Hi evr1

Im in the final stages of resettlement just now, Out in Feb next year. All I can say is that if you can get your hands on License By Post Notes, or maybe AST Notes etc then just study these notes for each module. The next thing Im going to tell you is probably the most important point to help you pass CAA exams. Use Club Pro 66, its invaluable when it comes to passing caa exams. Trust me, it is not cheating, it just aids you in learning the subject. You will need to understand the notes first. I started my B2 license in March this year and I will have 9 completed out of the 12 I need after December. I have put a fair bit into them but It is not that difficult. As far as colleges goes, I have used AST for Module 10 Air Ledge and I would highly recommend them for this module as its way to dry a subject to learn off your own back. Good setup up there. Im down in South Wales at Lufthansa LRTT just now doing my Module 13 and finding it a hell of a lot of info to take in a short space of time Nav, Comms, AutoFlight, Instruments etc But instruction is good and professional but notes can be dodgy in places. Basically I recommend using LBP and Other notes and doing Modules 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 14 self study and fill in the gaps with colleges for the rest, bearing in mind Im working towards B2 and not B1 (Heavies). If anyone would like any more help copy of notes etc then PM me and I'll help out anyway I can.

Rasher

Hey Rasher,
Read your post.Would like to know if you could help me with updated LBP module 10 notes.I have LBP module 10 notes but they are outdated. And im also taking the essay exams next month.Any advices on how to prepare for it and what literature to read.Would really appreciate your feedback.Thanks

 

[Rasher]

Hey Rasher,
Read your post.Would like to know if you could help me with updated LBP module 10 notes.I have LBP module 10 notes but they are outdated. And im also taking the essay exams next month.Any advices on how to prepare for it and what literature to read.Would really appreciate your feedback.Thanks

Okay mate

Basically, I have LBP, SR Technics and AST notes all on disk. Problem is, most of them are old like yours. I did all of my module 10 exam and essay by attending AST college in Perth. I highly recommend them. The tutoring is good especially if you get Sam, he's one funny guy. I did Module 9 (Human Factors) xam and essay of my own back and took the exam at the CAA centre in Glasgow. I was lucky as I passed the essay question but I failed the exam. My advice for module 9 is to read as many notes as you can get and use Club Pro 66! Its got essay questions on there to practise with and lets just say they are accurate! For module 10 I recommend college like I said. Its a scary subject to learn off your own back. I can have a look for the AST Module 10 notes that they gave us during the course If you like? Im also doing module 7 at college. Oh, and I would recommend taking the essay with the relevant exam and not all 3 essay questions together unless your mental that is:raf: If you want them notes then send me an email to rasherkane@hotmail.com

So are you about to leave the RAF? Do you have any work sorted yet? Im on every agencies books going and Im really struggling to find anything, no one is hiring at all. Few military type contracts knocking about but no use for experience in log book. Im out in Feb and even thought about pulling my PVR then I got sense. Hopefully something will turn up. Oh, if anyone reading this knows of any unlicensed mechanic work then please let me know. Cheers. Hope this helps big boss

 

[bigboss]

thanks

thanks

hey Rasher,
thanks for the feedback.Just sent you an email !

 

[Dirty Harry]

Im on every agencies books going and Im really struggling to find anything, no one is hiring at all. Few military type contracts knocking about but no use for experience in log book. Im out in Feb and even thought about pulling my PVR then I got sense. Hopefully something will turn up. Oh, if anyone reading this knows of any unlicensed mechanic work then please let me know. Cheers. Hope this helps big boss

Unfortunately Rasher your timing in leaving the RAF couldn't be worse. The civil industry is on it's arse at the moment and there are so many people out of work, particularly unlicensed guys as there are lots about. Your lack of civilian aircraft experience will put you at a disadvantage in the current climate. You will be in direct competition with time served civvy trained fitters who have many years hands on and employers have got the luxury cherry picking those who best fit the requirements. That said, there are signs that things are beginning to pick up so bear with it and you will eventually get a lucky break. Whatever you do, do not rescind your PVR. Focus your efforts on finishing the exams and stick to your game plan. You may have to take one or two military contracts on the way to make ends meet but the time will come when airlines and MRO's realise that they just haven't got the numbers to deal with the upturn. They will then be forced to recruit again and this will be your opportunity to get a foot in the door.

As far as looking for unlicensed work goes, it might help if you could give a bit more information on your background? How many years experience, aircraft types, trade etc.

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

For Air Ledge, this book is a goldmine of information and does fill in some of the holes..

Airworthiness.. A guide to Certification

Shop about, you can get it cheaper..

However, I would also download EC2042/2003 from the EASA website and CAAIPs from the CAA website and read them. They will cover most things that are not in your old notes. It is worth reading the appendix as well and remebering form numbers etc. These little beuaties can be the difference between you getting 75% or not.

Oh, I did the essays at the same time as the relevent MCQs.. You have just been revising the whole core of that subject!!DT_Xtremez_35:

 

[bigboss]

hey- I LOOK LIKE KEVIN COSTNER,

hey- I LOOK LIKE KEVIN COSTNER,

Thanks for the info.I already have that book. Got it for free from the internet in pdf format. It is good but doesnt get you through the UKCAA exams !
And EASA publications are a must....otherwsie u dont stand a chance in the module 10 exam.I can bet on it.
what essay topic did you have when you did your module 10 essay?

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

Thanks for the info.I already have that book. Got it for free from the internet in pdf format. It is good but doesnt get you through the UKCAA exams !
And EASA publications are a must....otherwsie u dont stand a chance in the module 10 exam.I can bet on it.
what essay topic did you have when you did your module 10 essay?

Tech logs.. What is a tech log and how is it used from a daily though two sectors with an unfixable radio snag after sector one...

F700 proceedures are fairly similar to a tech log, just the different terminology and that the u/s equipment is marked as inop..

I do have an up to date Mod 10 notes in a book.. I will not give it away however if I get time... PM me if interested.

 

[bigboss]

hey

hey

TECH LOGS....hmmm.....one of my favourites. I really hope i get that too.
PM sent.