So tell me, grasshopper, how many years of working on your airplane do you
have? Enough to qualify for the 30 months of experience to sit for the A&P
exam? And will your IA sign the experience letter so that you can take the
exam?

Then after a few years of legal wrenching can you walk into the FSDO and ask
for the signoff letter for your own IA? And carry on the tradition of your
mentor doing owner-assisted annuals? And then someone behind you gets to
carry on...and behind him/her ... and so on.

This is all one big circle, bucko, and you are somewhere on it.

Jim



But, the end is near. My IA is of sufficient age that he is hanging it up.
He may do another year with me, but maybe not. It is a shame that owner
assisted annuals are the exception rather than the rule.




I do note an air of aggravation, Sir Jim. As I recall, you are one of
the brave souls who make a living working on airplanes. My hat is off to
you. One of the toughest businesses I have ever seen. My post was in no
way meant to demean the skills or dedication of those wrenches/IAs in
the field.

Since you asked: I have been working on my airplane for 13 years
(cylinder changes, landing gear rebuilds, metal patches, wiring repair,
A/C removal, Mag R&R and timing, upholstery, vac pump replacements, fuel
and oil line replacements, Installing new wingtips/dorsal fairings,
repairing fiberglass nose cowling, pulling fuel tanks, rebuilding fuel
selector, R&R fuel sending units, painting, rigging, and various other
repairs - all under the supervision of my IA - paying him by the hour
for the privilege).

Before that, I did auto engine mechanics and body work for 15 years.
During that time, I also had a 4 year electronics course and briefly
repaired electronic gizmos (back in the days when you could actually
repair them). I also have experience with upholstery, high current
electrical wiring, auto/boat/truck refinishing systems, and a few other
odds and ends. I worked as an assembler in a machine shop for 2 years
putting together high speed automation machines. That involved
fabricating various parts and assembling electrical, pneumatic,
hydraulic, high freq induction heater, and other systems). Hey, you
asked for the resume.

I am a pretty crappy chess player though, so please don't ask me about
that on the test.

Go for an official license of any sort? Why? I have no love of mechanics
beyond my airplane. I already make well in excess of the pay available
to the airplane mechanic. I don't want the liability burden even if I
did try for it. My IA (of over 50 years) asked me several times if I was
interested in going for it. We never discussed it beyond that point so I
don't know if he would sign me off for the exam.

My PPL and Instrument scores were 100% and I DID get a great night's
sleep, but I digress.

Like I said, I am amazed at a person's dedication to go into the
business. You guys are truly amazing.

But, I am not sure why you find my post so irritating. I merely lamented
at the scarcity of mechanics who are in a position to allow owner
assists on the annual. What's got you so riled (I ask cautiously fearing
a Wrath of God Internet reply)?

Warily,
Mike