Hello everyone,

I am new here, and only posted a few times, but, so far really like what most of you have to say.
I am an A&P returning to A&P work after 15 years or so working on Italian and German motorcycles. Long story about why I am going back to A&P work, and no, it's certainly isn't the big paychecks . I have a part time job now at a place in North Central Washington, and I am rebuilding a 7AC in my hangar. I am pretty much diving right back into it all.
I sometimes wonder if there are many seasonal A&P jobs in Alaska, and if there are, what would I expect? I grew up in Anchorage and have been all over the state. I know I do not want to live there again full time, but would love to work a few summers there. I have a truck and camper trailer combo that can get just about anywhere that anything else has driven with me and my tools, I have lots of tools, and a desire to do something really hard for a while. The motorcycle business has made me a bit soft working on expensive bikes in an air conditioned shop, heck, for most of the last 5 years all I did was engine builds and supervising the guys doing the repetitive stuff. I wouldn't mind doing field repairs in the rain with a bear staring me down.
I see a few jobs advertised now and then on some of the aviation job web sites, but I have found that recruiting descriptions are far from reality on these types of things. Also, the jobs advertised are usually for bigger companies, and I would prefer to work for a small operation even though it means less money and no benifits. I am not in it for the money, although I have to make a living, I want the experience.
Suggestions? How are the smaller outfits doing? What type of work on what type of planes would I expect? Is there no chance I would get hired unless I know a bunch of people?

David

It's been my observation that any shop that wants to do some work has all they can handle. I don't think you'd have any problem getting work. I suspect the more experience with GA equipment one has the better.

Good luck!

Gb

I by the spring I will have gained quite a bit more. I am helping rebuild a set of Glasstar wings, helping with a ground looped Luscombe, and putting my Champ together, plus any other stuff that comes my way. It has been a while since working on aircraft, but the racing motorcycle stuff is very similar work. The bikes just have way closer tolerance engines, lighter components, and eons more modern electronics. Plus bike racers can usually come back into the pits and kick your ass when something fails, airplane owners often can't.

It's too bad my petty cash sock under my bed is empty. I'd love for someone to go up to AK and assemble this for me!
http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_419472_Murphy+Moose+SR3500+Kit.html

I just saw one at JC in September that had an aluminum Corvette motor in it, but I'd definitely go for the Russian M14P.

kevbert wrote:It's too bad my petty cash sock under my bed is empty. I'd love for someone to go up to AK and assemble this for me!
http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_419472_Murphy+Moose+SR3500+Kit.html

I just saw one at JC in September that had an aluminum Corvette motor in it, but I'd definitely go for the Russian M14P.

If I was going to do this project, I would pick it up and haul in back to S10 where I have a well equipped shop and the support of 2 other mechanics, plus an IA. Looks like a really cool aircraft, the M14P is awesome, I have to read up on those a bit.