Pilots as Mechanics

Should You Become Both? Becoming an aircraft mechanic is a rewarding career. So is becoming a pilot. So, why would anyone go to the trouble of becoming both? After all, you’ll likely choose one or the other for a career. There are many good reasons why people choose to train in both fields. For example, a professional pilot who has become trained as an aircraft mechanic is more likely to notice if something seems ‘off’ during flight. This is a safety issue. Just as an auto mechanic would notice a problem while driving, an A&P would notice a problem with flying. Likewise, a professional mechanic who is also a pilot knows exactly how the controls should feel or how the … Read more

Comac ARJ21

Comac ARJ21 General Information Manufacturer: Comac Role: Regional jet airliner First flight: November 28, 2008 Primary airlines: Chengdu Airlines, Genghis Khan Airlines, Jiangxi Airlines, Myanmar Airways Passenger seating: 78-90 Models: ARJ21, ARJ21F Features General Electric CF34-10A high-bypass turbofan engine Sophisticated spacious cabin An all new wing with a … Read more

Tupolev Tu-154

Tupolev Tu-154 General Information Manufacturer: Tupolev Role: Narrow-body jet airliner First flight: October 4, 1968 Primary airlines: Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Air Koryo, ALROSA Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Russian Air Force, Uzbekistan Airways Passenger seating: 114-180 Models: Tu-154, Tu-155, Tu-324, Tu-334 Features Fun Facts Type Rating Pilots must earn their … Read more

McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30

McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 General Information Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas Role: Wide-body jet airliner First flight: January 10, 1990 Primary airlines: FedEx Express, Lufthansa Cargo, UPS Airlines, Western Global Airlines Passenger seating: Cargo Models: MD-11, MD-90 Features Fun Facts Type Rating Pilots must earn their type rating in the McDonnell Douglas … Read more

McDonnell Douglas MD-88

McDonnell Douglas MD-88 General Information Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas Role: Narrow-body jet airliner First flight: August 15, 1987 Primary airlines: Delta Air Lines, LASER Airlines, World Atlantic Airlines Passenger seating: 123-155 Models: MD-83, MD-87 Features Fun Facts Type Rating Pilots must earn their type rating in the McDonnell Douglas MD-88 … Read more

McDonnell Douglas MD-11F

McDonnell Douglas MD-11F General Information Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas Role: Wide-body jet airliner First flight: January 10, 1990 Primary airlines: FedEx Express, Lufthansa Cargo, UPS Airlines, Western Global Airlines Passenger seating: Cargo Models: – MD-11, MD11CF, MD11ER Features Fun Facts Type Rating Pilots must earn their type rating in … Read more

Embraer ERJ140

Embraer ERJ140 General Information Manufacturer: Embraer Role: Twin-engine regional airliner First flight: June 27, 2000 Primary airlines: CommuteAir, Envoy Air, ExpressJet, Piedmont Airlines Passenger seating: 44 Models: E140ER, E140LR Features Fun Facts Type Rating Pilots must earn their type rating in the Embraer E140 to be qualified to fly this aircraft. … Read more

Embraer E190

Embraer E190 General Information Manufacturer: Embraer Role: Narrow-body jet airliner First flight: March 12, 2004 Primary airlines: Aeromexico Connect, jetBlue, KLM, Tianjin Airlines Passenger seating: 96-114 Models: E170, E175, E190, E195 Features Two underwing-mounted GE 34-8E-10 turbofan engines One of the most spacious interiors of all single-aisle regional … Read more

Embraer ERJ145

Embraer ERJ145 General Information Manufacturer: Embraer Role: Twin-engine regional airliner First flight: August 11, 1995 Primary airlines: CommuteAir, Envoy Air, ExpressJet, Piedmont Airlines, United Express Passenger seating: 50 Models: E145ER, E145EP, E145LR, E145XR Features Fun Facts Type Rating Pilots must earn their type rating in the Embraer ERJ145 … Read more