Get Your A&P License from Military Experience (Part 1 of 5)

Using your military experience to get your Airframe and Powerplant license may sound like a long road. While it does take some time, it's certainly not impossible. Just imagine a life where you can work on aircraft and not have to wear camy's. I can assure you, it's a life much less hot.

In this article, and subsequent pieces of this series, we're going to talk about the process of getting certified through the Federal Aviation Administration.

Get your training record ready

If you didn't complete the JSAMTCC A&P Certificate program, this is going to be the file that helps you figure out what to write on your 8610-2 forms. It's the same file you will bring to your interview with an Aviation Safety Inspector for the sign off verifying your experience.

Personally, I used my JST, DD-214, and a letter from my Maintenance Officer during my process. Not everyone will be the same, but the key is to have official documentation that states your length of time and your MOS code.

Extra documentation

There are thousands of us who often lent a hand to other work centers to get jobs done. Unfortunately, all those maintenance action forms aren't going to be in your training record.

You can, however, get a signed letter from your Maintenance Officer stating all the other things you worked on during your time at your current duty station. This letter helps build your case in terms of providing evidence of your maintenance history.

The key to this letter covering either the Airframe or Powerplant portion that your MOS code and training record doesn't is the amount of time spent at that duty station. For the time you're applying with, you have to have been doing both types of work concurrently for 30 months.

Fill out your 8610-2 Form

While you can fill this form out by hand, in black or blue ink, I highly recommend you download and fill out the electronic copy. Because you are required to have 2 original forms when submitting for your rating/s you'll save time filling it out electronically. Also, your hand will thank me later.

1. Open your internet browser and get to a search engine, like Google. Search, "form 8610-2" and hit that sweet enter button.

2. Scroll down and select "FAA Form 8610-2".

3. Once you've opened the link. Select the download button in the upper right-hand corner. After the file has been downloaded you can fill out the form electronically and save it.

4. In the end your overall form will look something like this depending on the type of certificate you're applying for based on your qualifications. Follow the photos on how you will fill out the form.

• For Block I, select "Mechanic, Airframe, Powerplant" boxes as applicable. If you're applying for both of your ratings (Airframe and Powerplant) you'll select all three. If you're only applying for one, you'll select "Mechanic" and either "Airframe" or "Powerplant".
• In the application for portion select, "original issuance".

• Fill out the blocks A - J and L accordingly.
• A is your First, Middle, Last name. If you have no middle name identifying that as NMN is standard.
• B calls for a social security number, which is antiquated and is not used on our licenses anymore. Fill out "DO NOT USE".
• C is your date of birth.
• D is your height in inches.
• E is your weight in pounds.
• F is hair color.
• G is eye color.
• H is your sex (M or F).
• I is your nationality. If you were born in the United States you will put USA.
• J is your place of birth.
• L should be marked, "No" since this is your first time applying for this type of certificate.
• N asks about federal or state violations with drugs or substances. This is a federal form you are filling out. Lying on a federal document isn't something I recommend. Be honest, even if it sucks.

• K is your permanent mailing address. If you work, go to school, or just live somewhere, that is your address. If you're still active duty, whatever you place as your driver's license is your permanent mailing address. This address may also be your home of record.
• M will be "No" since this is the first time you've ever applied for this type of license.

• For Block II you'll select "B" or both "A" and "B" if you also gained experience working at a civilian location on non-military aircraft by having a second job. Most applicants will select "B" only.
• Note that the rest of this section will remain blank because you're applying under your military experience.

• For Block III, Section A1-A3 insert the appropriate information.
• Note that if you need to double-check your MOS code applicability for what you qualify for look it up by following this link and its directions:

• B is going to be your employment record with the military. Dates, locations, and the type of work performed will be in this block. Follow the example in the photo below.
• Note when you're describing the work you did you can refer to your training record on what specifically to write. That record will be with you along with your 8610-2 forms if you need to elaborate on your experience during the interview with the ASI.

Finally, you've made it to Block IV! This needs to remain blank until your interview.

Time to Celebrate

You've filled out your 8610-2 forms. That's a huge step to getting qualified!

The next step is calling your local FSDO office and scheduling your interview with an ASI to review your records, 8610-2 form, and overal experience. Check out the link below to find your local FSDO office.