A Fresh Perspective: A&P student roundtable

A&P student roundtable

By Joe Escobar

In May I visited Blackhawk Technical College, a Part 147 school, and talked with five students who were getting ready to graduate. The following article is from the discussion we had on their thoughts and concerns as they get ready to enter the aviation industry.

Meet and greet
Twenty-nine-year-old Jerry worked on tractors and lawn mowers after high school. After 10 years Jerry decided it was time for a career change so he enrolled in A&P school.
Dave joined the Army right out of high school and spent six years working on helicopters. Now that he's out of the Army, 27-year-old Dave is getting his A&P certificate.
Jennifer grew up around race cars and mechanics and always loved the mechanical field. She wanted to do something different and at the age of 31 she's on her way to a career in aircraft maintenance.
Tim's interest in aviation goes back to his childhood fascination with the Apollo missions. When Tim's family farm started to head south he decided to follow his dream and get involved in aviation.
The youngest of the group, 21-year-old Lindsay came to Blackhawk fresh out of high school. She had taken auto mechanic classes in high school. Her teacher talked to her about the possibility of becoming an aircraft mechanic. Lindsay hopes to further her career and earn her bachelor's degree in technical maintenance after she gets a job.

Moral support
What was the initial reaction of your family when you told them you wanted to go to A&P school?
JERRY: My mom was pretty surprised, she didn't like the idea. She's thinking of the implications that come with working on an aircraft and being responsible for 200 people's lives.
DAVE: My wife was supportive. She was with me through the Army and as I said I was in aviation the whole time there.
JENNIFER: I'm the oldest of three daughters and I'm the only one with a greasy thumb. My dad was really happy that I decided to do something in the mechanical field.
TIM: My wife was very supportive. It has been tough on the kids since going to school and studying takes a lot away from family time.
LINDSAY: My family was really supportive. What was really surprising, my grandma was the most supportive. My family just couldn't believe I was going into something like that, but then on the other hand they knew I always enjoyed turning wrenches.

Finances
How did you finance your education?
DAVE: The GI Bill and veteran's benefits and I work full time.
So you work full time in addition to going to school?
DAVE: And drive an hour and 15 minutes each way.
JENNIFER: Well I started working full time and that clashed with school a lot. Trying to work full time and go to school full time wasn't working out. I did however, have a trust fund from my grandfather for college. So that helped me out a great deal and right now I'm not working. I've been concentrating on school and it's really paid off.
TIM: I basically downsized my farming operation, or it was downsized for me, I should say. And so, when this came along I looked at it as an investment and I originally expected to basically foot all of it out of pocket, but since then I have gotten some grants, federal, state aid, that kind of thing, which has helped tremendously. But, basically, most of it, I just look at it as being an investment in my life, so as far as the education and being an A&P, everything I have heard you can use it just about anywhere. It's just a good base knowledge into any job that you want to move into, any career, anything.