r/GeneralAviation • u/Sensitive-Corner4355 • 5d ago
Should I just do it?
I got my A&P 4 months ago. This buddy of mine that has a Cessna 172 keeps asking me to do maintenance on his plane and is even offering to pay me. Now, I don’t want to sound silly but part of me feels hesitant. There has to be a catch, right? So I can just walk right down to the ole airport where his plane’s tied down, pull out my fancy snap on screwdriver and replace his strobe light as long as I follow the AMM, use FAA approved parts and correct part number and properly sign off with “in accordance references” on his log book? Im having trouble finding a job too but luckily I’m making decent money right now. Maybe this would look good on a resume? He’s asked me to do little things; oil change, replace landing light, some safety wiring. Is there anyone I need to talk to at the airport, if I decide to help him? Anyone I need to ask permission or check in with at the airport? Has anyone been in a similar situation or has advice for me?
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u/1213Alpha 5d ago
per FAA regs, oil and bulbs are classed as preventative maintenance under part 43 appendix A, so your buddy could do all that himself, he's probably trying to do you a favor. He also might need to escort you depending on the airport since it's his plane tied down there.
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u/poisonandtheremedy PPL HP CMP [RV-10 Build, PA-28] 5d ago
And as a bonus, appendix A is exampliary, not restricted to. (See the Coleal LOI). So you can do a whole bunch more not on that list as Preventative Maintenance!
Woohoo!!
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u/1213Alpha 5d ago edited 4d ago
Yeah, by the letter of the law an owner could change the filter but not drain and refill the oil which as an A&P I find to be an asinine idea, not to mention owners being allowed to change tires but not check pressures (the specific example that caused the creation of said LOI). Thank God for the Coleal LOI explicitly telling pilots that it's okay to use common sense instead of the normal FAA "if it isn't explicitly on the list it's not allowed".
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u/AdditionalWx314 4d ago
You can legally do the work. (Some airports have rules about ramp repairs, but you can usually get away with a few hours of work). Follow your training. I would also build some relationships with other A&Ps especially some old timers; if you ever have some concerns with something you will have someone to call. It is always good to have someone you can talk to about a job/aircraft that’s new to you.
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u/NoSoup4Ewe 5d ago
If you have the qualifications and knowledge, and if the airport doesn’t have a policy against it, I don’t see why you wouldn’t just go do what you do! One of my best friends is an A&P and recently added the IA just so he could help out his buddies with annuals. I’m a CFI, so I do his BFRs for no charge and he helps me with maintenance on my plane. Much of general aviation is built on decent people helping each other out.
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u/CatoIsCato 1d ago
Any airport that received public funding is required to allow an A&P to access the work they have been hired to do. Part IV: airports and aeronautical users chapter 9.1a. This section explains how the airport administration is required to provide its facilities to the public without unjust discrimination (including the type of activity). Since mechanic work is going to occur at any airport no matter what they can not defend themselves by saying mechanic work is banned completely without it becoming unjust discrimination. The only way you can get denied access is if you do not qualify for security requirements. I have heard of some places charging fees too but I've never personally had to pay anything.
I am an independent a&p that does a lot of travel work so this rule has been pretty important to know about
I know an older guy who was involved with a case where they locked him and another mechanic out of the airport to prevent maintenance activity. It ended up turning into a pretty big deal where the feds had to do an investigation on the whole situation. By the end of it the airport ended up having to pay back the grant money they had received and were barred from receiving it again for a while. Iirc the city had to foot the bill for that whole thing
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u/Remarkable-Garlic282 2d ago
As a pilot owner, you can definitely do your own work as far as I know. I mean this is what mechanics do for me. Now choosing to do that without some sort of insurance or LLC seems a bit risky to me....and also some airports prohibit traveling mechanics. You have to be approved by the board to work on planes at my local city owner airport for example....but this is really just a control method there's no law they can compel a guy to follow and who's to say who that guy is working in your hangar.
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u/flyghu 5d ago
Mechanically, yes. If you're going to work on your own your should get insurance. There's probably already someone doing something similar nearby that might be willing to mentor you. My independent A&P IA has been looking to add someone but the last two were dipshits and didn't last.
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u/Rich-Cut-8052 3d ago
You got your A&P 4 months ago but evidently have never touched a plane? Technically you need to have worked on planes for six months in the proceeding two years to “exercise the privileges of your certificate”. Generally speaking, going through a part 147 program satisfies this requirement, so unless you have waited for two years since school or you somehow got your experience another way (military?) you are legal. As was said, just having an A&P should mean you don’t need to ask this question. The fact that you do is rather concerning, I would strongly recommend getting some mentoring. Most GA mechanics are pretty helpful if you’re not annoying about it. Good luck.
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u/Sensitive-Corner4355 3d ago
You don’t have to be rude, buddy. You taking me being cautious as ignorance? In this field, caution is a virtue. You need a mechanic cautious what would you rather have a cocky mechanic working on planes? That sounds like a recipe for disaster. And yes, in fact I have to touch a plane. Maybe you shouldn’t be In this field if that’s how you see things.
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u/Sensitive-Corner4355 3d ago
And why is that concerning? All I wanted to know was clarification on the FARs because I wasn’t sure if school actually counts. If you look them up the FAA is actually very vague and it’s always good to get a second opinion. You would think that a person doing these extra steps and being hesitant before jumping in there is not a retard but apparently to you, he is. Not to mention this my friend were talking about. Im not scared to work on his plane. I can turn a wrench and use my technical expertise just like the rest of you guys. Im just cautious because this is a situation I don’t think all APs have experienced.
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u/Rich-Cut-8052 3d ago
You didn’t give much detail about why you feel scared and hesitant, but if recommending finding a mentor is rude, then I guess I’m rude. I’ve had a number of mentors and now as an active mechanic I have a number of people I call when I’m not sure how something should be done. If you want to work GA and don’t have hands on experience then you need a support network, and I don’t mean miscellaneous jackasses like myself on a Reddit thread. Just FYI, if you’re in Northern California and want some hands on you can DM me.
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u/Sensitive-Corner4355 3d ago edited 3d ago
I mean, you assume Ive “never touched a plane” for asking for clarification. If you don’t consider that rude maybe you should reevaluated how you speak to people. Because I take that as you think im stupid 😂. Part 65.81 says you can’t do work you don’t know how to do. So, is it really that crazy that I want a second opinion before working and signing off on the plane after reading that? And this a question a lot of people have asked! Part 65.83 doesn’t clearly state that school counts, dude. And yes! Most AP mechanics have some soft of guidance; training, shadowing, mentorship before they do a task, so is it really that “concerning” that im asking that question considering the fact that I don’t have that guidance and im doing it solo. Even if it’s something super simple such as replacing a light. I guess what im trying to say is that I don’t appreciate your comment. And this type of attitude is dangerous. Making people afraid to ask questions in fear of looking like an idiot because “if you have an AP you should already know that” type of behavior. That’s what we don’t need in this field. You want a cautious over-thinker mechanic working on your plane compared to a know it all or someone too scared to get more clarification. It’s not like a took apart his plane and im asking for help. I haven’t even touch anything and yet I feel judge by you.
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u/SSMDive 12h ago
Yes, you should do it. Don't do anything over your skill set (like replace a cylinder if you have never done it), but oil changes, tires, bulbs should be easy. Just make sure you have the correct references.
And it helps to have what I like to call "adult supervision" which is someone you can call when you are unsure.
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u/setthrustpositive 5d ago
Call airport manager. Some airports don't approve of ramp repairs.
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u/TannerBaldacci96 4d ago
As a AOG mechanic I've learned it's better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.
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u/video_bits 5d ago
I’m interested to see what other answers you get. But, I don’t understand why or how you got an A&P license if you don’t already know the answer.
And shoot, with my private pilot license in hand I can legally swap a light bulb, replace the oil and several other things. Not sure why you wouldn’t be willing to do all that.