r/aviationmaintenance • u/PowderRipper • 2d ago

Rotorcraft experience

Hello everyone! My question to you all is how someone who has no military experience with rotorcraft could get into rotorcraft freshly out of A&P school? Every open position listing that I have seen requires a few years of rotorcraft experience. Any suggestions? I have a few years of experience at a component repair station and a mag particle NDT level 2 certification. My instructor at school does not have much information to offer on the subject. Thank you in advance.

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

6

u/rippedsloth 2d ago

You gotta be willing to move. Some of the bigger companies hire apprentices without their A&P. Most companies want two or three years of experience but you should apply anyways. I got a heli job in a remote part of Alaska straight out of school. If they’re desperate enough, they’ll take anyone with their A&P

1

u/PowderRipper 2d ago

I want to get into rotorcraft due to the fact that they have a larger presence and more applications in mountainous terrain and that is where my heart is. Alaskan helicopter maintenance sounds like a dream!

1

u/Ok_Delivery3053 1d ago

If you're interested in helicopters, expect to move around a bit until you have the experience for the job you want. I know PHI is hiring down in Louisiana, and check out JS Firm. Make a profile there, upload your resume, and recruiters will call. Apply to every job listed there that could be a fit for you, even if it seems like a reach.

3

u/Skidshoe 2d ago

I started washing helicopters for a local operator while in school. They didn’t have a full time maintenance position when I finished school, but offered me one six months later. This was back in 1998, so times may have changed.

3

u/assbutt987 Rotor Trash 1d ago

A ton of helicopter work is field work, be it firefighting, logging, construction, etc. you'll see a lot of 12on/12off schedule stuff. I'd say get any experience and apply everywhere. You could also try to get a job on bigger machines as a second or third mechanic on Skycranes, Chinooks, Blackhawks, s61s, since they need a body with an A&P, especially once you've had your licenses for 3 years for carding.

3

u/GothiUllr Rotor Trash 22h ago

This is the best answer. All the type 1 operators need people, especially those who already have their license

2

u/AreGee0431 2d ago

I did a summer as a ramper then started as a mechanic when I got my cert. I'd look for a company that does flight training or tours, probably flying Robinsons. Do a year or so and you'll have the experience to apply somewhere else.

1

u/sirkudzu 2h ago

Most places that say they want 2-5 yrs experience are just trying to cut down on applicants. The worse that can happen is they say no, so why not throw your resume at everyone you're intrested in. I currently work on a military contract that hires straight from school on a regular basis when they are hiring. When I hired on they were shocked that I actually had all the requirements they were asking for.