Posted on May 16, 2019
SPC Licensed Agent: Sales Producer
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I'm considering my guard enlistment options, and 15D has popped up in interest. What FAA qualifications are available quickly after that? I'm still in college, and plan to SMP through my last two years of that as an ROTC cadet. However, I do love mechanics and would be thrilled to work as a mechanic at a local airport while in school.
Posted in these groups: Aviation branch insignia 15D: Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
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LTC Jason Mackay
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I saw those, but I’m skeptical that I would meet all the requirements straight out of training. Just got off the phone with my father in law. He started out as an Air Force helicopter mechanic. When we discussed this he told me there was no way he was qualified to take the certificate exam. Said it took him a couple more years of AD to get to that point. Unless somethings changed, I’m not arrogant enough to think that I’m smarter than that man. I’m pretty handy with a wrench, but he can spin circles around me in technical knowledge.

Still, I’m going to contact these guys and see what the deal is. Also gonna go hang out at an air hangar my friend works at and get their input.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
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SPC (Join to see) no not right out of AIT.
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WO1 Ierw Student
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The NDI certainly you get in 15D AIT pay HUGE bucks!!!
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WO1 Ierw Student
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SPC Licensed Agent: Sales Producer
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Thanks! Are you referring to Nondestructive Inspection? Just to be clear? I’m looking at 15D and then immediately using those skills in the civilian market while I finish up my last two years of ROTC. I have a wife and three kids, so I’d be thrilled to have a job I know I’d love while making decent coin. My friend is an A&P apprentice, he said he didn’t know exactly what the going rate is here in Utah, but that it’s about $30-$35 an hour. I can’t argue with that as a poor cadet.
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WO1 Ierw Student
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SPC (Join to see) yes, nondestructive inspection is used for a multitude of things not just on aircraft. Getting the certification can land you a big job. However, AIT doesn’t give you all of them I believe there is 3 total not 100% but I had a friend in Texas who was reclassifying so he could land an immediate job after graduating AIT.
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SGT Nick Webber
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I was a 15d with the N2 identifier but NDI was through the air Force. That in itself is huge, but you have to be rigid on tracking your hours. You turn on the Eddy current track hours, ultrasound machine track hours, method c dye penetrant track hours. You have to level up in the NDI world and documentation of hours is where it starts.
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