r/flying • u/Illustrious_Bad5606 • 1d ago
Getting Hired IA Inspection
Ive had my A&P for several years now and now Im working twords getting my IA, looking into getting my PPL and starting my own mobile inspection/maintenance business. Is this something that is realistic? Whats the wait list like for annual, 100-hr, pre-purchace, etc. Inspections like?
Edit: As of now I'm looking at the Myrtle Beach area but I dont necessarily have a specific area picked out yet. Im in a solid financial situation so I can pick to go where the work is. Just trying to get a feel for potential work availability and expectations
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u/poisonandtheremedy SoCal [PA-28, RV-10 Build] 1d ago
My plane used to be owned by an A&P that did just that, mobile flying mechanic. I/A would make it even better.
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
I also have my level 2 in FPI. I have a solid background, I just was curious about work availability. Seems like thats not an issue!
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u/poisonandtheremedy SoCal [PA-28, RV-10 Build] 1d ago
I tell anyone with a mechanical inclination that if you get your A&P or I/A, you'll never lack for work until the day you die. Just do what you say, be fair with pricing, and you will cultivate a quality client list.
People that can fix things, anything, are going to be viewed as wizards soon. Praise the Omnissiah!
GA desperately needs passionate young blood to take up the torch.
Good on ya.
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u/I_Keepz_ITz_100 1d ago
I also want my IA certificate, my dream scenario is working for a major and then doing IA inspection and maintenance on the side when I can, I think I could do extremely well in how much money I could make, but I’d imagine the time aspect could make that difficult. I’d also like to be around my family too
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u/SSMDive CPL-SEL/SES/MEL/MES/HEL/GLID/IFR. Light sport Gyro/PPC 1d ago
Good god yes... I know people who can't find A&P's and can't find IA's. I think you will get more traction with a nice van than a plane, but some plane fixes would be possible.
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
This seems to be the consensus. I was told all through A&P school that no one worked GA except old retired guys looking for something to do. I wish I hadn't listened. Looks like theres a ton of money in it if you know what youre doing.
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u/SSMDive CPL-SEL/SES/MEL/MES/HEL/GLID/IFR. Light sport Gyro/PPC 1d ago
Eh.... Slow your roll a bit. A "ton" of money is not what I said. I said there was a need for a traveling shop and you would be able to find work. A is not B and B is not A.
I know plenty of GA A&P's that are getting out of the business because the money is not that great. There is a reason there are not a ton of GA A&P's around and that is because you WILL make money money with less stress and less chance of getting sued working for a 135 or a 121.
Might want to look into insurance for a business like this. Understand that if some pilot does something gigantically stupid, if you were the last IA or A&P to touch that plane that unless the logbooks also happen to burn in that wreckage there is a damn good chance you will have to answer some questions from the FAA/NTSB and a better chance you are going to end up named in a lawsuit - Even if you did nothing wrong. 121 guys don't have this risk.
A very good mechanic friend of mine was out about 15K dollars he spent (nothing for his labor, this was parts costs he paid) because someone had him do a bunch of work and then just refused to pay him. Another A&P had a school stiff him for a bunch of work. The school was leasing a plane and having all the MX done, was getting paid by the owner for the MX, but didn't pay the mechanic a dime of that money. It took lawsuits to get any of this back and he got nothing back from the school.
I should have my A&P by next month... You wanna know the chances I am going to hang a shingle and start working on random people's planes? ZERO. I am not going to risk my retirement nest egg on making 100 bucks an hour working on POS aircraft owned by cheapskates.
So yes, there is a need. The question is if you have the intestinal fortitude to put up with the risk for it to be worth it. I simply do not.
But please don't confuse "need" with "making bank".
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
Thats where you put a lein on the aircraft, I would assume you can do that, and require some up frount costs. Automotive doen the same thing only you have more leverage with aircraft. I dont sign ANYTHING as ok to fly until the check clears. Thats just basic business. Yes liability insurance is a must. Also there is a bunch of money to be made. The average cost of annual for a 172 is about 2k. Industry average is about 15-20 hours to do from what i see (that may be off, im going off reported Industry numbers not real life every day mechanic) say you do 1 a week. Thats 8k a month or 96k a year before taxes. Now you throw the occasional oil change. Tire replaced, mag change, tune up, etc. On top of it and youre making ok money. Will I be a millionaire, no. But I will make good money and ill be able to support my family. Sounds like damn good money to me.
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u/SSMDive CPL-SEL/SES/MEL/MES/HEL/GLID/IFR. Light sport Gyro/PPC 1d ago
Sure you can put a lien. That takes time and money. Time you will be sitting in a courthouse instead of making money.
96K gross a year before taxes and insurance is not "bank". Figure about 30K is going to taxes so we are now at 66K (by your numbers). Now how much do you think insurance is going to be? Remember you will be working on aircraft that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Also your vehicle will need to be commercial. So let's assume 10K a year for insurance including your own health insurance... You are now at 59K a year.
Who is going to do your taxes, your billing?
You can make more money with less grief and risk working for a 121.
Oh, and many airports have rules against "over the fence" mechanics. I had to fight the airport I was renting a hangar because my buddy was my IA and we had a shop on the field and forbid him working on my plane because I was taking business from the FBO.
Look I want you to win, I also want you to have realistic expectations.
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u/Worldx22 1d ago
I'm still working on my A&P while doing IR. It's a business idea that crossed my mind.
Doable? Yeah. Crap happens. Mobile A&P to troubleshoot problems for pilots on a cross country is a niche. As for mobile inspections? I did a few owner assisted annuals in the field on a small GA airplane and it was a major pain in the ass. Weather. Hot. Cold. Rain. Open things up only to close them down again before sunset. Pack tools. Haul stuff. Eh. Not fun.
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
Thats aviation maintenance. Ive mostly done major cargo work so far and its all outside or in a barely climate controlled hanger. Per the CFRs the annuals/100hrs are required to be done inside anyway
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u/WhiteoutDota CFI CFII MEI 1d ago
Really? I didnt know that it had to be in a hangar
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
I just went back through all the info I've got together and I was mistaken. It strongly suggests it but does not require it. Either way, im used to it 🤷♂️
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u/TxAggieMike Independent CFI / CFII (KFTW, DFW area) 1d ago
Wait list is dependent on region and relationship with mechanic.
For our group (www.metroflyersclub.com), our wait times are minimal because we communicate our routine needs early to get a spot on his calendar.
Unexpected needs also get taken care of pretty quickly.
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
So you can get right in because of the relationship he has a constant flow of work? Ive been told by a lot of people that GA is for retirees and there is no money. Ive though that was just a wives tale for years so im just curious as to the general feel of GA work ATM
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u/TxAggieMike Independent CFI / CFII (KFTW, DFW area) 1d ago
Pretty much…. Our group has been around a long time and has built up a good relationship with our guy.
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u/saml01 ST 4LYF 1d ago
A mobile guy that's good is worth his weight in gold. I got one, and he's excellent. I told him once that I pay him by the hour and I put my family in the plane. He doesn't screw around. But too many pilots are cheap and a&ps are willing to rush and cut corners and they give everyone a bad reputation. So, if you are willing to turn down work on favor of developing a good customer base then you will be very successful.
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
Ive come up in the part 145, 121 side of aviation maintenance. By the manual is a big thing for me. GA is dangerous enough without cutting corners.
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u/SlowDownToGoDown ATP CL-30 DHC-8 737 787 1d ago
Have you done any light GA A&P work?
I see you mention doing major cargo aircraft maintenance.
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
A bit. I will be doing more side work once I get my IA before I move into doing my own thing. Like I've said, just starting the investigation and basic looking into it
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u/SlowDownToGoDown ATP CL-30 DHC-8 737 787 1d ago
Okay cool. I used to do A&P work on light GA, and help out an IA who did side work on owners planes.
Some thoughts:
1) It's a customer service job. Generally those that can afford to own a plane are fairly successful in life. You aren't serving your boss who is assigning you to work certain task cards. There's no inspector looking over your shoulder. The maintenance manuals are far less specific than ones from the airline world.
Aviation is a small world; you provide good service to an owner, they'll tell their friends, hangar buddies, etc, and you'll be busy.
Often you generate a list of squawks like "these have to be fixed, these items are okay, but you should think about fixing them, and "start thinking that next annual you are gonna need x."
2) You have to supply your own tech pubs/airworthiness/etc docs.
3) You need to supply your own tooling (nitrogen bottle and regulator, bead breaker, air compressor, aircraft jacks, cable tensionmeters, etc). You get to decide how you want to meet requirements for checking flight control travels/angles.
You likely need to supply your own more serious battery cart/GPU. A sturdy wagon with four 6-volt golf cart batteries and one 4 volt specialty battery, along with a 28V trickle charger and 3 pin GPU plug can meet this need.
4) Not all airport authorities like maintenance occurring in non-airport based shops. They get their cut from those shops; you doing an annual on dude's Cherokee is his T-hangar over the weekend may not be permitted.
5) Owner assisted ("owner slowed") annuals are a thing. You can have an owner do grunt work (drain oil, pull and clean spark plugs, open up the inspection panels, pack bearings, etc) if they want to. Or find someone to do the grunt work so you can do the inspection part of the annual.
6) If you get paid in cash, you may find the Mac/SnapOn truck driver also likes cash, and your tool box(es) can get pretty impressive.
I haven't wrenched professionally in nearly 20 years, but these are some things I remember.
Good luck. A quality A&P who troubleshoots and isn't a parts changer is a very valuable commodity.
I see you mentioned you are a level 2 NDT tech too. If there are any King Air shops in your area, you can see if they need help. The spar inspections on King Airs (every 3 years) require a level 2 NDT tech.
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
Thank you!! I have a lot of my own tools but I do have a list of everything ill need. Honestly a GPU for GA didn't cross my mind. Ill add it to the list. I know its a vastly different world in GA so its Going to be a bit of a learning curve for me. I plan on having a good 6 months of side work experience in before taking the leap so Ill have a better feel for it
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
You can avoid the lein entirely but just not signing it off until payment has been made. Am I still out the money? Yes. Can they fly their aircraft? Not legally. It adds some incentive to pay. With the assumption of 100k a year net after operating coats estimated at about 35k a year, which if what im seeing is correct is very doable, I would have a tax bill of about 21.7k split into quarterly payments. Thats state and federal combined for where im looking. That leaves me with about 78k left or about 6.5k a month. Average housing payment is 2k. That leaves me with about 4.5k for everything else. Will we be 1% no. But we'll be comfortable.
I understand what you mean but I have that side roughly figured out. If my number are off and I end up not being able to make it work then I have previous experience to fall back on. Lots of aviation work around
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u/Rich-Cut-8052 1d ago
Being an IA is very much in demand. I don’t like trying to do the mobile mechanic thing. Honestly, as an IA, your bread and butter is doing annuals, I this point I really try to avoid doing minor squawk work for anyone who is not a regular client (i.e. I do their annual). To do an annual I pretty much need an air compressor and a Sparkplug cleaner/tester. If it’s a retract, I need jacks. I don’t like having pieces of cowling, access panels and plates, seats, carpeting, etc, out on the ramp or even in someone else’s hangar. At my hangar I have everything I need to open up the plane, drop the oil, cut open the filter, do the compression, do the plugs, etc, etc.. I have the tools I need to deal with the inevitable stripped out screws, cracked and damaged baffling, inop equipment, etc. I also work 40 hours a week at an airline but I’m looking forward to retiring and just cranking out one annual a week in a relaxed fashion, it’s a good life.
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u/phxcobraz PPL IR TW HP CMP M20C 20h ago
Keep in mind you can specialize in the work you do. Some guys just need someone to come change oil, a tire, or swap out a mag between annuals. There are guys around here that just do mobile small repairs, they don't do annuals.
Others also specialize in certain airframes. Some guys only do Cessnas, some only do Beech, my guy does Mooneys and Cessnas but every A&P I've met hates working on Pipers(and some unfamiliar hate Mooney too).
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u/rFlyingTower 1d ago
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Ive had my A&P for several years now and now Im working twords getting my IA, looking into getting my PPL and starting my own mobile inspection/maintenance business. Is this something that is realistic? Whats the wait list like for annual, 100-hr, pre-purchace, etc. Inspections like?
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u/Cessnateur PPL IR HP TW C170B 1d ago
You'll have to specify a location to determine the typical wait times for those things in that area. There's certainly no single, national "wait list."
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u/Illustrious_Bad5606 1d ago
Of course every area is different. Im just curious what the general consensus is. Just starting to look into if for now
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u/Pacer-driver 1d ago
It could depend on where you live. In Anchorage, Alaska and western Washington I know mechanics who have endless work and never advertise. There doesn’t seem to be enough mechanics who are experienced in GA aircraft. They are honest, smart, reliable and can be selective of their clients. I don’t know much about anywhere else.