How to Make Airplanes Fly

Do you like airplanes? Have you ever thought of an airline career? Do you want a career that can't be automated, can pay well over $100,000 a year, and one where you go home everyday? This book will provide all the information you need to get started as an FAA Certified Aircraft Technician. Did you know that the people who maintain the aircraft operated by the nation's airlines, e.g. United, American, Southwest and Delta, must have certificates issued by the FAA that allow them to maintain and repair their airplanes. The certificates, also known as Airframe and Powerplant licenses or A&P's, are earned by attending one of the over 160 schools, colleges and Universities across the country that offer FAA certified Airframe and Powerplant courses. 150 of the schools are listed in this book. You don't need a degree in engineering or even have any experience in aviation to start. All you need is to be 18 or over, understand and read English, (English is the required language in aviation), and have the ability to pass high school classes. How long does it take? Between 14 and 24 months depending on the school you attend. Is it expensive? Again depending on the school it could cost as little as $3,500 at a community college. But all the schools teach the same curriculum from the same three books.Listen, you may have never heard of this career before or may have heard someone say, " I know someone works on airplanes and they don't have a license." And under some circumstances that may be true but they would be a mechanic's helper because you have to have A&P certificates to make anything done legal. It's all explained in the book.I wrote this book because I loved the job and want other people to know it exists and is available to anyone who wants it. And I know it is a very misunderstood job that shouldn't be. The book is written in easy to read, one and two page essays describing everything you need to know. For Veterans who have aviation experience there's a special section for you that even lists the FAA offices, forms and people you would need to talk to in order to verify your experience to see if you qualify for the exams now. There is no other consise source for the information contained in this book. It is the only book written on how to become a Certified Aircraft Technician (A&P). This isn't "rocket science." Give it a try. You're worth it.
About the Author: Rick grew up in Southern California and has had an interest in aircraft and aviation for as long as he can remember. After a stint in the Air Force maintaining KC-135's and B-52H's for the Strategic Air Command at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, Rick went on to earn his A&P certifications from National Aviation Academy in Clearwater, Florida and was immediately hired by Continental Airlines at LAX. Later, Rick went over to UPS Airlines at Ontario Airport California and is now semi-retired after thirty years in the aircraft maintenance business. Although Rick is not a licensed pilot, he has considerable "stick-time" in a wide variety of aircraft including bi-planes, four engine jets, twin engine private aircraft, and helicopters. Rick holds a B.A. in Business Management from Minot State University, N.D. and lives with his wife JoAnne in a house they built in Southwest Utah. Rick occasionally works as a contract A&P technician for independent aircraft maintenance operations in Arizona, Nevada and Washington.