A&P Question

Can someone interpret FAR 65.83 (listed below) for me? I believe this is the
FAR that I have a question about.

If I remember correctly, in A&P school, we were told that we basically have
to sign off something in a logbook every 24 months to keep current and
"legal".

Do I interpret correctly by saying that according to 65.83(b)(1), I have to
work at least 6 months as an A&P before the 24 month time has expired? If
so, I guess that means that I have to have a job before 18 months after I am
out of school.

I guess what I am getting at is, I received my certificate in May 2003. I
haven't been able to find a job that allows me to utilize my certificate.
How am I supposed to keep current if I can't land a job that utilizes my
certificate? Did I waste 2 years of school for nothing?

Am I reading too far into this FAR?


Thanks...

Chuck


Section 65.83: Recent experience requirements.
A certificated mechanic may not exercise the privileges of his certificate
and rating unless, within the preceding 24 months-

(a) The Administrator has found that he is able to do that work; or

(b) He has, for at least 6 months-

(1) Served as a mechanic under his certificate and rating;

(2) Technically supervised other mechanics;

(3) Supervised, in an executive capacity, the maintenance or alteration of
aircraft; or

(4) Been engaged in any combination of paragraph (b) (1), (2), or (3) of
this section.


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On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 16:31:34 GMT, "Chuck" wrote
in ::

How am I supposed to keep current if I can't land a job that utilizes my
certificate?

Why can't you just hang your shingle out on the local airport bulletin
board to signoff owner assisted annual aircraft inspections?

On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 16:47:05 GMT, Larry Dighera
wrote:

On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 16:31:34 GMT, "Chuck" wrote
in ::

How am I supposed to keep current if I can't land a job that utilizes my
certificate?

Why can't you just hang your shingle out on the local airport bulletin
board to signoff owner assisted annual aircraft inspections?


Because he's an A&P not an IA.

Chuck - The reg does not state 6 months of work at 40 hours per week.
I belive the intent is for you to stay active with maintenance
practices. If you have friends who own airplanes, and you supervise
their work and make a log book entry it counts toward currency. Also
when you get a job you can do all the work you want as there will
probably be a Senior mechanic there who can "oversee" your work.

Last resort, you can call the FSDO and tell them your story and find
out what it takes for them to Determine you can performmm (whatever
the first line in the reg said).

HTH.

z

(who has lots of work to be done if anyone needs to keep current)

Because A&Ps can't sign off annuals. The IA signs off annuals, and you have to
have time in the bucket after the A&P to even sit for the IA exam -- which, BTW,
is entirely written. There is no practical IA exam other than working so many
years at the job.

Jim


Larry Dighera
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

-On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 16:31:34 GMT, "Chuck" wrote
-in ::
-
-How am I supposed to keep current if I can't land a job that utilizes my
-certificate?
-
-Why can't you just hang your shingle out on the local airport bulletin
-board to signoff owner assisted annual aircraft inspections?


Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com