Robinson factory maintenance course

[superstallion6113]

Have a question about the Robinson maintenance course, mainly the prerequisites they have listed on their website,

 

http://www.robinsonheli.com/rhc_maintenance_course.html.

 

They have the following listed on there.

 

"A working knowledge of aircraft hardware, piston engines, magneto ignition systems (R22/R44), turbine engines (R66), TIG welding of aircraft steel tubing, sheet-metal construction & finishing, metal fatigue, weight & balance, basic physics, and basic electronics. Students must review subject areas they may be weak in prior to the course."

 

For anyone who has attended this class without much prior experience, how much knowledge should I have on TIG welding, sheet metal construction, and metal fatigue? I have none on those areas. I only have experience on the H-60/S-70, S-92A, CH-53E, and CH-46E/BV107, and have about 14 years experience combined on those aircraft. Plenty of experience on turbine engines, dynamic components, drive systems, basically maintenance and overhaul of all components of a helicopter EXCEPT sheet metal repair and welding. It's always been a separate position and person who does sheet metal/airframe maintenance where I have worked.

 

I'm just hesitant to take the class, spend $1500 on the class and hotel, and wind up failing because I lack knowledge in those areas. Thanks.

Edited July 30, 2014 by superstallion6113

[cryesis]

I wouldn't think you have to be an expert on it but you should have some knowledge about it. Do you have an A&P?

[superstallion6113]

I wouldn't think you have to be an expert on it but you should have some knowledge about it. Do you have an A&P?

 

Yep. I have basic sheet metal skills that I have only ever used on the O&P portion of my A&P test with the mechanic examiner, but zero aircraft welding experience.

[cryesis]

I'd think as long as you have the basic knowledge you'll be okay

[Jaybee]

I agree, since you have to be a certified Aircraft welder in order to weld on an aircraft, that knowledge only should be fine - same as O&P test.

 

Robinson also stated for their Pilot Safety course that you must have flown a Robinson for at least an hour within so many days or something or other, so I went out and did an hour before I went to the course. Nobody asked or cared.

[Guest pokey]

i was a welder since i was 12, oxy/acetelene, then stick, then tig (never cared much for mig).

 

when i was in A&P school (age 30) and they taught us basic gas welding?---the main reason was to teach the students that welding is a skill that is not to be done by the new A&P.

 

as long as you know that? i would say "you are good to go"

[apiaguy]

You don't have to be a certified welder to weld on aircraft... If you have your A&P you can weld on it if you like. People use certified welders because they aren't proficient and don't want their certificate on the repair. Oxy/acetelene is still the standard taught for aircraft structure because it is forgiving and easy to learn. TIG is mostly what is used at the factories today due to speed, good looks and strength.

 

For the factory course... you don't have to be able to TIG weld... you need to understand the process so you can understand what goes into building the aircraft. When deciding to repair or replace a structure they are going to give you the parameters to do it by and they expect you to be able to accomplish it in the field... not going to happen at the training course.

 

You have your A&P and you should understand everything they listed... I understand you are a military mechanic and so your knowledge in some of those areas may be weak but you at least understand them... that's all you need... don't spend time learning TIG... spend more time understanding magnetos or something.

[superstallion6113]

You don't have to be a certified welder to weld on aircraft... If you have your A&P you can weld on it if you like. People use certified welders because they aren't proficient and don't want their certificate on the repair. Oxy/acetelene is still the standard taught for aircraft structure because it is forgiving and easy to learn. TIG is mostly what is used at the factories today due to speed, good looks and strength.

 

For the factory course... you don't have to be able to TIG weld... you need to understand the process so you can understand what goes into building the aircraft. When deciding to repair or replace a structure they are going to give you the parameters to do it by and they expect you to be able to accomplish it in the field... not going to happen at the training course.

 

You have your A&P and you should understand everything they listed... I understand you are a military mechanic and so your knowledge in some of those areas may be weak but you at least understand them... that's all you need... don't spend time learning TIG... spend more time understanding magnetos or something.

 

Thanks for the helpful reply. It sounds like I should be ok then. I have actually done oxy acetylene brazing/welding/cutting(just not on aircraft), and know what TIG welding is, how it works, where to find welding in AC 43.13, etc, etc. Just never actually done it. Unfortunately I won't be attending the class until next year sometime since the class is booked that far out. Should give me a bit of time to prep before I go though.

Edited August 6, 2014 by superstallion6113