Self improvement - An apprentice's request

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VanCityRuckus
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Self improvement - An apprentice's request

Post by VanCityRuckus »

I was hoping some of the more experienced people could give me some advice. I'm an AME apprentice and I want to become a better AME.

I've spent some time doing structures work and now I am doing line maintenance. I would say I am on par with any other apprentice with similar experience.
I want to become more valuable, more efficient, more professional, and more knowledgeable. How do I excel in this industry?

I'm not motivated towards this for the money(as if there was any money in the aviation industry), I just want improve my skills.
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Cranium
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Re: Self improvement - An apprentice's request

Post by Cranium »

1. Read. Learn what you can in your spare time. Check out AMTonline for new tricks and tips.

2. Do it right the first time. If you are given a job, get it right first - then get faster. When you can consistently do a job correctly, you will get better / more challenging jobs.

3. Listen. If you ask a question, wait until you have a full answer. Don't cut someone off in mid-sentence saying, "OK I got it."

4. Don't walk away from a job. Even if it's a pain in the ass, finish the job before starting something else. Get into this habit - it could save someone's life.

5. It's not always what you do, sometimes it's what you see. When doing inspections, go above and beyond the check sheets. They are a list of minimum tasks. When inspecting, use a good flashlight and a mirror. Reach into the panel and check for loose shit. It's amazing what you can't see when it's right in front of your eyes, but will fall apart when you touch it.

6. Remember - with all you do, it's someone's life on the line.

7. Your word is your bond. If you are caught lying (even about something small) you will not be trusted for a very long time. If you pencil-whip something, you deserve to be fired immediately, because if your co-workers cannot trust you, they won't want to sign for you; you will be completely useless to them and to your company.
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avyonx
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Re: Self improvement - An apprentice's request

Post by avyonx »

Learn as much as you can about electronics and Avionics. You are already doing Structures and Maintenance so you might as well do it all my friend. A great advantage to that is at a small company when you can't have an E guy on staff you can do the troubleshooting which cuts down on contracting an over priced avionics shop to do it.

Also, just a personal thing I do is read the flight Manuals for the A/C you service. When you read about how the aircraft is supposed to perform it sometimes brings some sense to the Maintenance Tasks you perform.
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helicopterray
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Re: Self improvement - An apprentice's request

Post by helicopterray »

Don't take short cuts, even if you see experienced guys doing it.
When you're signing out your own work, you can do it any way you see fit, but when someone else is signing out your work, do it by the book.

Read the book and familiarize yourself with the tasks before you start that particular project.
I used to read manuals in my own time. It may not be possible to take books home nowdays, but we have maintenance manuals on DVD's for crews to use.

Take pride in your work.
Never settle for 'good enough'. Strive to a higher level of finish, especially on things like lockwiring, clamping, etc.
These things will make you stand out.
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DrBoeing
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Re: Self improvement - An apprentice's request

Post by DrBoeing »

If you have the talent and aptitude, it will all come in time. I know this is probably not something you wanted to hear.
There is nothing that can replace hands on experience, you WILL make mistakes, we all did and sometimes still do. As others stated, read the manuals before doing a task, do not rely on memory as then you are using assumption, as you will learn real quick in this industry, assumption is the mother of all F ups, do not be afraid to ask for help, other opinions are sure to lead you in the right direction.
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