| When you've got someplace to go, you want to get | | | | FAA requires at least 30 months of work experience |
| there without delay or stops along the way. (Who | | | | for airframe and power plant certification, or |
| wants to change planes in San Antonio, anyway?) | | | | completion of a program at FAA-certified airframe |
| The same is true of your professional pursuits. The | | | | and power plant schools. To obtain an inspector's |
| good news is, at airframe and power plant schools, | | | | authorization, you must have held airframe and power |
| your flight to career success is nonstop. | | | | plant certification for at least three years, with 24 |
| Fly Direct to Airframe and Power Plant Schools | | | | months of hands-on experience. |
| Ready for takeoff? Let's start with the basics. An | | | | In addition, FAA regulations require current work |
| airframe technician is authorized to work on any part | | | | experience to keep the airframe and power plant |
| of an aircraft except the instruments, power plants, | | | | certification valid. Unless you've logged 1,000 hours of |
| and propellers. A power plant technician is authorized | | | | work experience in the previous 24 months, you'll need |
| to work on engines and do limited work on propellers. | | | | to take a refresher course. |
| Combination airframe and power plant technicians | | | | Frequent Flyer Miles Add Up |
| work on all parts of the plane except the instruments. | | | | According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, |
| When you learn the ins and outs of the professions at | | | | aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and service |
| airframe and power plant schools,you'll be equipped to | | | | technicians held about 142,000 jobs in 2004. That same |
| keep aircrafts in safe flying condition. | | | | year, median hourly earnings in the airframe and power |
| Simulator for Success | | | | plant industry were about $21.77, with the highest 10 |
| To break into the airframe and power plant field, you'll | | | | percent earning more than $33.84. |
| need to acquire skills from one of about 170 airframe | | | | Although there is a trend for large airlines to outsource |
| and power plant schools certified by the Federal | | | | airframe and power plant jobs overseas, most |
| Aviation Administration (FAA). About one-third of these | | | | companies prefer that aircraft maintenance work be |
| airframe and power plant schools award two- and | | | | performed in the U.S. because of safety and regulation |
| four-year degrees. | | | | issues of overseas contractors. |
| Once you've completed coursework at airframe and | | | | Don't get stuck in San Antonio (or anywhere else, for |
| power plant schools, you may be certified as an | | | | that matter). Let airframe and power plant schools |
| airframe technician and/or power plant mechanic. The | | | | service your nonstop flight to professional prosperity. |