What is Air Service Training?
Neil Fortune, Business Administration Support Officer for Air Service Training, is this month’s guest blogger. Neil’s role involves: student welfare; student recruitment; social media marketing; and maintenance of the company website - to name but just a few.
What is Air Service Training and what
does it do?
AST is a wholly owned subsidiary of Perth College UHI and has been since 1996. AST is renowned for the delivery of training of aviation personnel. The Aviation Industry requires engineers who have been trained towards an aircraft maintenance engineering licence. This is really important as means that a licence holder can certify the work they have carried out on the aircraft so that it can be returned to service.
Why is there a
need for AST?
The Aviation Industry is a booming industry as passenger numbers continue to soar year after year. A recent report from Boeing indicates an estimated figure of 754,000 aircraft engineers will be required worldwide over the next 20 years in order to satisfy demand.
I want to join this booming industry,
so what can I study
with AST?
We offer courses aimed towards experienced engineers such as ex-armed forces aircraft engineers, as well as courses for those looking to start training towards a career in aircraft maintenance. There are a number of different Aircraft Maintenance Licences we are able to offer training and examinations towards, and they are as follows:
A1 – Fixed Wing Turbine Engine
A2 – Fixed Wing Piston Engine
A3 – Rotary Wing Turbine Engine
B1.1 – Fixed Wing Turbine Engine
B1.2 – Fixed Wing Piston Engine
B1.3 – Rotary Wing Turbine Engine
B2 – Avionics (Fixed & Rotary Wing)
What do the
courses involve?
The Category ‘A’ Licences are purely mechanical based licences and the holder of the licence is able to perform relatively minor maintenance tasks and replacement of parts between major servicing. We normally recommend studying towards the Category ‘B’ licensing which allows a broader scope of complex work to be carried out. Work is normally carried out on the aircraft during routine periodic servicing or major overhauls and refits.
What are your entry requirements?
As such, there are no minimum entry qualifications for entry on to the AST training courses - however we do recommend applicants have a good knowledge of both Mathematics and Physics.
What can I study if
I am an experienced engineer?
The course we recommend for experienced engineers is known as the Modular/Self-Improver Route and this course has a duration of between 21 and 25 training weeks - depending upon the licence being studied towards. This course is entirely theory based and once all of the examinations have been completed successfully, the individual would need to maintain a logbook detailing all of the work they have carried out on aircraft for a minimum of five years. Once they have logged sufficient experience, they may then apply to the Licensing Authority for the Issue of their Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Licence.
What can I study
if I have less
experience?
If you are looking for an entry level course in to the world of aircraft maintenance, we offer a course known as the EASA Part 66 Category ‘B’ Approved Basic Training Course. This course has a duration of 89 training weeks in total, and consists of both theoretical and practical training. As part of the training, an 8 Week Industry placement is arranged by Air Service Training - where you will be placed within a live aircraft maintenance facility.
Upon successful completion of the Approved Basic Training course, you will need to source suitable employment within the industry and maintain a logbook of the work you are carrying out. You can then apply for their Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Licence after logging a minimum period of two years’ experience.
To find out more information on the AST training courses, or how you can enrol, you can contact Neil via the following methods:
