Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
(OP)
Hello, I joined am currently awaiting my ship date to leave for the Air Force on March 18 and I am 18 years old. I enlisted for 6 years active as an Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice.
I've been thinking about an Aerospace Engineering career when I get out but I was wondering if the 8 years i spend total in the Air Force will prepare me for a job in this field. I've been doing some reading and a lot of the online applications for this job say that it does not require a degree of any kind ( it doesn't say that it does either).
What I have read as far as qualifications go, is that an A&P certification would greatly improve my chances. Is there anything else you would recommend I do?
I've been thinking about an Aerospace Engineering career when I get out but I was wondering if the 8 years i spend total in the Air Force will prepare me for a job in this field. I've been doing some reading and a lot of the online applications for this job say that it does not require a degree of any kind ( it doesn't say that it does either).
What I have read as far as qualifications go, is that an A&P certification would greatly improve my chances. Is there anything else you would recommend I do?





RE: Aerospace Engineer
Enjoy your service and learn a lot - look forward to hearing from you in several years!
RE: Aerospace Engineer
Don't know what an A&P cert is.
TTFN
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RE: Aerospace Engineer
Sounds like you will be a "mechanic", which will always be needed, but I fear that is far removed from being an Engineer in the aerospace industry. Do you want to work on engines on an asphalt runway in the middle of August, or in an unheated metal shed in the middle of December after you get out of the Air Force? Or do you want to be developing or improving the designs of airframe, engines and entire systems after you get a BS?
To answer your direct question, the mechanical and diagnostic techniques and skills you will be trained in while enlisted in the Air Force will be a huge benefit over those that do not have that formal training.
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
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RE: Aerospace Engineer
An A&P cert, Is an Airframe and Power plant Certificate
This is the licence awarded by the FAA., to qualified mechanics.
B.E.
RE: Aerospace Engineer
Only of marginal use, I think, for an engineering job.
TTFN
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RE: Aerospace Engineer
in the bad old days there used to be apprenticeships, where people would gain practical experience, and the best were encouraged to move into engineering.
now its different, ... not necessarily better !
good luck with your posting and make the most of your opportunities !
RE: Aerospace Engineer
When you get to your first base, make sure you visit the Education Office. They should be able to advise you on your path to an engineering (or other) degree from there. IMO, the hands on experience will be helpful, things won't be just pictures in books. As a propulsion mechanic, you will be repairing engines, performing routine maintainence, TCTOs, FOD walks, and assisting other Specialists and Crew Chiefs. This will help you in that you can bitch about how the moronic engineeers designed the system to make it hard for you. When you get to the Engineering classes, you will learn why they did it. There will also be additional duties, and training, for general items peculiar to the military. There is more, but I have not finished my first cup of coffee.
Thank you for enlisting, and have fun. If you get to go to other countries (not all do, nor do all go to the War zones) get out, explore and meet the people. You are our best diplomat. Your time will be what you make of it.
Chris, MSgt, US Air Force (Retired)
RE: Aerospace Engineer
RE: Aerospace Engineer
Secondly, while design for maintainability and manufacturability are required in the design process, they are a very small portion of the overall design process, given that the bulk of the other system specifications tend to be conflicting, e.g., weight vs. performance, and the design engineer spend the bulk of their time addressing those issues.
So, given the choice between two fresh BSMEs, one with 6 yr of design experience vs. one with none, but 6 yrs of maintenance exp, the choice is usually toward the former.
TTFN
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RE: Aerospace Engineer
My opinion is that you will gain good experience on the shop floor that you will give you an insight that can never be taught in the classroom. BUT, most of what you do on the floor will not translate directly to becoming an engineer. You will have to keep up the studying and get the degrees and such. But when you get there, you will bring a different perspective which fresh grads never will have.
That is if you decide to move to engineering. You may be perfectly happy being a mech.
Good luck.
RE: Aerospace Engineer
I'm not sure what was worse the flight line at RAF Alconbury or Edwards AFB....both had extreme weather conditions....much happier in my cozy cubicle.
Heckler![[americanflag] americanflag](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/americanflag.gif)
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
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This post contains no political overtones or undertones for that matter and in no way represents the poster's political agenda.
RE: Aerospace Engineer
RE: Aerospace Engineer
RE: Aerospace Engineer