AVN and AVS Techs

[Klinkaroo]

I currently in the Navy Reserves and am really thinking of transferring to the reg force as ether an AVN Tech or AVS Tech. Both my parents we're in the airforce (Mom was a MSE OP and Dad a Firefighter) so I got a lot of information from them but thought I would ask a few more detailed questions here since they have been out for 5 years now.

First Question
I am fully bilingual (French and English... Gotta love being a military kid)... What are my chances of getting Bagotville as a posting? It's only 5 hours from home...

Second Question
What are the average working hours when qualified?

Third Question
Is there many opportunities for deployment?

Fourth Question
How to quarters work when you are on a long course (like 6 months I think it is for AVS but I read some things and think it's now 12 or 16 months)? Do you get you're own room or are you 2 or 4 to a room? Can I bring my laptop? And do they allow you to bring your personal vehicle?

Hope I can get some awnsers thank you

BTW Last Question
Are you having fun in the trade?

 

[navymich]

Klink, check out this sub-board Maintainer's Bench.  There are some threads within it on both AVS and AVN that should answer most of your questions.

BTW, I also did a CT from NavRes, so if you have any questions on the process itself, feel free to PM me.  There is lots of info on the boards here about CTs too, but if you have anything NavRes specific, just let me know.

 

[cp140tech]

Klinkaroo,

  It's tough to say where they'll post folks at any given minute.  I'm sure a willingness to go and a bilingual profile would certainly help your chances of getting Bagotville.  It's always tough to predict what the career shop is going to do, for me anyways.
  I can only speak for the Aurora fleet, but you put in an 8 hr day under normal circumstances.  There are days that run longer, and days that are shorter.  If you're away from base on TD or whatnot, it can make for way more work, or really easy days.  It all depends on how well the planes are behaving.
  Opportunities for deployment are dependant on fleet and your particular skill set and quals. We get a good number of short trips within North America, and a few that run a bit farther out.  Generally if you stick up your hand and make yourself available for trips, they will come your way. There are a fair number of older guys who are not really interested in TD's anymore unless it's necessary.
  I've been out of the training system too long to accurately answer any questions in that area.
  Talk to people who do both jobs, and in differing fleets and specialties if possible.  Go with the trade that you think will suit you and I'm certain you'll be happy with your choice.  There are plenty of opportunities for advancement and specialty training.  We've got it pretty good.
  feel free to pm me with any specific questions, good luck.

 

[belka]

First Question
I am fully bilingual (French and English... Gotta love being a military kid)... What are my chances of getting Bagotville as a posting? It's only 5 hours from home...

Chances are good. But they might look at it this way....you want the fighters.....you get Cold Lake.

Second Question
What are the average working hours when qualified?

I've had shifts that lasted as long as 10-11 hours and as short as 4 hours. Pay is the same regardless.

Third Question
Is there many opportunities for deployment?

Yes, there are many opportunities, it is only a matter of time. You are basically deployable after you get your servicing quals.

Fourth Question
How to quarters work when you are on a long course (like 6 months I think it is for AVS but I read some things and think it's now 12 or 16 months)? Do you get you're own room or are you 2 or 4 to a room? Can I bring my laptop? And do they allow you to bring your personal vehicle?

Can't speak for Kingston, since I've never been, but in Borden you are likely 2-3 to a room and you can bring your laptop and I highly advise you to bring a car, if you want off base that is.

BTW Last Question
Are you having fun in the trade?

I have fun and love my job when I get to fix airplanes. The fun ends when I get retarded duties that have to do with my squadron or my trade or the Air Force for that matter.

 

[niceasdrhuxtable]

If you end up working on maritime helicopters then you can look forward to some sea time. It's your chance to get out and socialise with the sailors

 

[Klinkaroo]

How long would it take to become fully qualified and be able to go to either CFS Alert or Afghanistan?

 

[cp140tech]

As of right now, unless you're with the UAV's or transport group, I don't think you'd have much luck getting to Afghanistan with a 500 series trade.  I'm not sure how often guys are up in Alert. 
People are getting qualified on the 140 fleet much more quickly in the AVN trade than in the past.  Within a year of getting on base, techs have completed on type training, received their QL5, and have their "Performance of Maintenance" quals granted.  Which basically means you are employable and can sign for the work that you do, you still need a level A tech(4 yrs exp) to release the maintenance action.
I think you'll see more and more trips up north as time goes on, but again it depends on the fleet.  For us, people are useful and deployable for the most part once they have their POM, so about 1 year after getting to the base.  I have no idea how long the other fleets take for new folks to get up to speed.

 

[pteosborne]

CP140tech,
How do you get selected for UAV's? Or is that more of a comox thing?

 

[Klinkaroo]

Same question here...

 

[Eagle_Eye_View]

UAV's is tachel. There is technician here in Comox taking the UAV course, but they are on standby. So yes it is possible, but from what I've seen so far, one went to afghanistan (AVN) and the other was posted to Goose Bay and once posted he started his UAV training.

 

[cp140tech]

As stated, I think Tac Hel owns it.  They ask for volunteers now and again, at least one guy from Greenwood went that route.  I believe the criteria was to be a Cpl and have your 'A' levels on whatever type you were employed on.  It's something you can make your chain aware of if that's where you'd like to end up.

 

[Eagle_Eye_View]

Thats right, if intesrested in UAV's let your C-O-C know and also your ETO.

 

[Klinkaroo]

Couple little questions here...

First off
1) Does anyone know when the next QL3s start?

2) I heard that they only come around once a year... So if they start before I finish my CT what would I do until the next course starts? PAT Platoon?

3) How is the course compared to BMQ? I know it's easier since we can go out at night and weekends and stuff but is it like all the time drill and inspections every two days and things like that or is it more relax so we can study instead of trying to get that last god darn wrinkle out of our shirt...

 

[aesop081]

but is it like all the time drill and inspections every two days and things like that or is it more relax so we can study instead of trying to get that last god darn wrinkle out of our shirt...

You should be able to do both.  I fail to see the problem there.

 

[pteosborne]

When i was in borden they were starting Avn courses every month or so.

 

[Klinkaroo]

One question I completely forgot to ask is... What is the average class size? Is there a good teacher to student ratio? Do we do alot of classroom or will they get us on some more pratical... I have a heard time understanding stuff in a classroom but can learn stuff one shot when I get my hands on it...

 

[pteosborne]

AVN class size is usually 16 but they did try 32 once and ended up splitting them up.
For learning you start in class for a couple of weeks then apply the knowledge for a couple weeks of practical.
(Common-Core is all classroom. apx.3 months long when I went thru)  :crybaby:

 

[Klinkaroo]

Ok thanks

 

[ptesmoke]

hi everyone, i hope i started this in the right section.  anyways, i just finished POET, and waiting for my ql3,, i just wanted to find out if anyone knows how long the avs ql3 course is in shearwater? im in borden right now and have a pmq with my wife, im just curious if they decide to send me to shearwater if theyll move us again. thanks for any helpful input! time to go chk out the rest of this site.

thanks

-ptesmoke

 

[navymich]

hi everyone, i hope i started this in the right section.  anyways, i just finished POET, and waiting for my ql3,, i just wanted to find out if anyone knows how long the avs ql3 course is in shearwater? im in borden right now and have a pmq with my wife, im just curious if they decide to send me to shearwater if theyll move us again. thanks for any helpful input! time to go chk out the rest of this site.

thanks

-ptesmoke

Welcome to the site.  While you are checking the rest of it out, be sure to note the "search" function.  Typing in "AVS" will lead you to many topics on the trade and you should find lots of information including the answers to most of your questions and concerns.