Aircraft Mechanic or Vehicle (general) Mechanic

[Fizzee]

So I'm interested in becoming an AMM as I think it's a job that would suit me and be very interesting with great prospects, I have no relevant experience in mechanics though and I'm wondering about my chances. Also I'm interested in knowing anything extra that I can with regards to the trade and also comparing it to slightly similar roles like the vehicle mechanic.

Areas I'm interested in are things such as variety of work, prospects in the raf (promotions etc), prospects after the raf and general job satisfaction/enjoyment.

I've tried to find out as much as I can on here and with a few google searches but I can't find the answers to a lot of my questions so all help is appreciated.

 

[Billy Whizz]

Your chances should be good as the amount of AMMs is on the increase to make up for all the recent PVRs from TG1 and the increase in aircraft squadrons due to the last SDSR. Prospects are good if you can get onto an aircraft type (ie Voyager) that gives you a civvy license.

 

[Fizzee]

Your chances should be good as the amount of AMMs is on the increase to make up for all the recent PVRs from TG1 and the increase in aircraft squadrons due to the last SDSR. Prospects are good if you can get onto an aircraft type (ie Voyager) that gives you a civvy license.

Oh that's really good news I was expecting it to be a trade with a waiting list perhaps because a lot of people would like to work on the aircrafts. Do you have any personal experience to share regarding the trade or any advice on what is best for me to do now to prepare myself to get through selection etc?

 

[Fizzee]

If you go AMM(AV) you'll be in much quicker than AMM(M).

I'm not sure I would find the role as interesting. Do you mean because the training is quicker or because they're fast tracked by demand?

 

[Fizzee]

Need more of them.

You could be waiting a while for AMM(M) as it is oversubscribed.

Oh really, so one is saying they're requiring more and the other says it's oversubscribed haha I'm confused now. I really hope it isn't I'll be a bit gutted. How does Avionics compare in terms of training, day to day and raf/civilian prospects?

 

[Billy Whizz]

Best advice is go for the one you fancy doing not how quick you can get in - am sure there are hundreds of fairies that wake up every day wishing they'd gone Mech...........::

 

[Fizzee]

So at the careers office today I was told avionics is in high demand and it's given me a little bit to think about. To be honest I'm not entirely sure which trade I would be more suitable for or which I would enjoy more but from the outside looking in I feel like I would still prefer AMM and a more hands on oily, dirty and physical role however anything to help me decide definitively between the two is appreciated of course. Also any guidance on which one has better prospects both in the raf and afterwards would be great.

 

[Puma]

You'll get all the training you need, AV's have better job prospects when leaving the RAF and have generally quicker promotion prospects in the RAF.

I also believe the time you'll spend as an AMM is getting reduced, which is a big plus in my opinion.

There may be scope to swap once you're an AMM and you don't like the look of AV, but it is not guaranteed.

Vehicle mechanics generally get much dirtier than aircraft technicians.

 

[Joe_90]

Vehicle mechanics also don't actually specialise on vehicles. The general part of the trade name is much more apt than the vehicle part. They work on anything from aircraft steps to fire engines and everything in between. If it's mechanical but doesn't actually take off with the aircraft they maintain it.

They've also just taken a pay cut with the new pay scales so if I was you I'd stick with AMM.

 

[Fizzee]

Okay more great advice thanks very much. I think I have settled on Aircraft Technician (mechanical) so now my focus is preparing for the AST which I've heard requires a very high score so i'm gonna search through the forums here to find all the revision stuff I can and hopefully get the score I need