AF helps maintainers obtain federal licensure Published July 30, 2015 By Merrie Schilter-Lowe 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- After a long career in aviation maintenance technology, Chief Master Sgt. McKinney Crawford, 60th Maintenance Group, never thought he would want to work again on aircraft when he retired. He was wrong. Facing retirement in February, the superintendent said he soon realized that "the best chance of getting a job was to use the experience I already have." But when he applied for civilian aircraft maintenance jobs, he found out that 30 years of military experience is not enough. He needs a Federal Aviation Authority airframe and powerplant certificate, too. "All the job postings I looked at said A&P license required or preferred," Crawford said. "I applied for a job overseas and the company said: 'Your resume looks good; get back to us when you have your license.' "It's an American company that repairs Saudi (Arabian) aircraft and they want me to get an American FAA license," he said with disbelief. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, civilian aircraft mechanics and avionics equipment technicians do not need to be certified or licensed. However, their work must be supervised by an FAA-certified mechanic. Crawford researched ways to get his license in the least amount of time. He found a company in San Diego that offered a 14-day course, but the cost is almost $2,000, he said. So the chief decided to get his certification through Air University and, practically, for free. Active duty, Reserve and Guard members in any 2AXXX career field with 30 months of documented practical experience who have been upgraded to the five skill level and have four years of time in service can enroll in the Air Force A&P Certification Program through the Community College of the Air Force. Technicians who retrained out of an aircraft maintenance career field may also enroll in the program if they meet qualifications and have not been out of the career field for more than two years. The Department of Defense initiated a program in 1998 to determine the difference between military and civil aircraft maintenance, training, education and practices. DOD officials also wanted to streamline the FAA certification program for military aircraft maintenance technicians. The result is the Air Force program, which was approved in 2001. Although military members don't need A&P certification to maintain military aircraft, they do need it when the leave the military, said Dale Patterson, 60th MXG civilian deputy. "They already have the core credits and work experience. "They just need the practical tests," he said. The AU course is designed to help technicians obtain FAA authorization to take the airframe and powerplant written, oral, and practical exams, said Staff Sgt. Jacob Taylor, an FAA curriculum writer with CCAF, at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama. He said the course covers three knowledge areas: general, airframe and powerplant. Technicians who enroll in the course learn everything from basic principles of aircraft construction to troubleshooting engines and the associated components. "Without our program, an engine troop would only receive authorization to take the powerplant test," Taylor said. Similarly, without the program a sheet metal technician would not qualify for the powerplant exam, he said. Retired Master Sgt. Christopher Boss found himself in such a situation when he began his quest for FAA certification more than a decade ago. "It took me about 10 years and lots of hard work," said the aviation maintenance technology technician who retired earlier this month. Boss was assigned to the 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California. Boss worked on aircraft fuel systems and knew "very little about the airframe," he said. "I started hanging out at (civilian) airports with mechanics that already had their FAA licenses and were willing to teach me," he said. "I also learned a lot from our guys in sheet metal." Boss completed aviation maintenance technology courses at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University on base. According to Taylor, technicians can either complete courses at an FAA-approved school or complete the AU courses online. The AU program is self-paced. "It can be completed in months or several years, depending on how motivated the individual is," Taylor said. Airmen take a proctored exam at the end of each course. If they score at least 70 percent on the test, they earn a certificate of eligibility, which must be presented to an FAA Flight Standards District Office to take the written and O&P exams. Airmen must pass the written test before they can take the mechanical portion of the test, said Taylor. The written exams test an Airman's knowledge of the aircraft and general aviation principles while the oral and practical exams test his or her ability to actually maintain the airframe and powerplant systems. The base education center offers the written exam free to military members. There is a fee for the mechanical exams, which can be taken at the heritage center. Each test can cost more than $500, Taylor said. The Montgomery GI Bill and the Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line Program will cover exam costs for those who qualify. Airmen can find information about AF COOL by logging onto the Air Force portal. Getting FAA certification paid off for Boss. He landed a job maintaining aircraft for a flight school in Winters, California, he said.