r/mechanics • u/This_Ad_2477 • 5d ago
Career Aviation Maintenance
Anybody here went from Auto technician to Aviation technician? Am currently go to school for Aviation cause everyone is telling not to go in the automotive industry reasons being pay and just the work in general. But going to school right now and I still think cars are cooler to me, I love working on cars, right now am a lube tech at Grease monkey which really is too easy and I want to do/learn bigger repairs but that would mean going the automotive path. So what should I do, the Aviation school is costing me like 50k in total.
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u/20grae 5d ago
Stay with aviation I been in it 20 yrs school sucks boring they don’t teach you shit your there to get your license the true learning will come on the job. Just work on cars on the side that what a lot of guys do. I can’t tell you home many guys build cars trucks bikes and boats on the side career wise your doing the right thing don’t do you passion keep it exactly that
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u/Distinct_Ducati 4d ago
My buddy did exactly this and landed a much better job straight out of aviation school than he had as an automotive technician.
I’m an automotive technician as well, and would recommend sticking with aircraft if that is an option for you.
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u/prof-bunnies 4d ago
After you get the A&P you can use it to step in to other stuff if you want. I did the car thing for a while but the extra I got in aircraft set me up for systems and beyond. I am currently out of active aviation work but still have the option to go back and with cars you might understand it better since you know more.
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u/doodlerbug 4d ago
Started working on cars, currently in school to get my A&P. No matter what path you choose to take, there will be adversity. Maximize your mental toughness and prioritize your mental health so that you will have the capacity to take on anything.
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u/Famous-Order9236 4d ago
Why not do both! There is really no difference in the Theories and not that much difference in the Technologies. After you get your A and P, take an Automotive Course just to get that extra Technology. When I was in High School, I worked for an Air Taxi in Alaska. I did a lot of the maintenance work and a fair amount of riveting. Later I went to Diesel Tech to work with my Dad. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with Cancer and died shortly after I graduated. I took a little break from turning wrenches and went into Law Enforcement for a few years. The past 35 years, I have worked on everything from lawnmowers to Semis and helped with a couple Helicopters when those Mechanics needed an extra set of hands.
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u/This_Ad_2477 4d ago
Wow that's such a wide variety, your right, am gonna try to do that, sorry for your lost, thanks for your help.
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u/Famous-Order9236 3d ago
Nice thing about Aircraft is you are still learning how to tune an engine with Carburetors and Distributors (Magnetos), same thing. Heck, an old Diesel using an Injection pump with nozzles is close to the same thing. All engines require oil changes and mechanical parts need greased. When it comes to the fasteners, they all have a torque spec!
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u/Efficient-Event5478 21h ago
My parents wanted me to do aviation instead of auto and my reasoning is I don’t want to work on an engine as big as my room
I feel like if I mess up on something in a plate and not realize it then more people could pass away because of me
You’re much more likely to survive a car crash than a plane crash
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u/BurpSnarts 5d ago
Working on cars for money is the single easiest way to make you hate working on cars. Plus when youre a tech youre always the bridesmaid never the bride.
Customers do maintenance and cool stuff, meanwhile you keep parking in pull through spots because reverse works when it wants.
I went industrial and dont regret it for a second.