The Aviation Industry Needs 690,000 Mechanics. Help Train the Next One.

Grease Pilot handles the tracking and paperwork. You just do what you already do — work on aircraft.

100% Free
No Classroom Teaching
FAA-Compliant Tracking

No credit card. No commitment. No catch.

The A&P Shortage Is Getting Worse Every Year

A&P schools only produce about 9,000 new certificates each year — nowhere near enough to replace the wave of retiring mechanics. On-the-job training is the other half of the solution, and it starts with supervisors like you.

24,000
Unfilled mechanic positions in North America
54
Average age of current A&P mechanics
27%
Of certificated mechanics are over 64
$50K+
Cost to replace one mechanic who leaves

Sources: Oliver Wyman, ATEC Pipeline Report, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

Supervise an Apprentice and Add Income to Every Shift You Already Work

You're already doing the work. An apprentice works alongside you, provides productive labor, and Grease Pilot handles all the documentation.

What You Do

  • Work on aircraft like you always do — Your daily routine doesn't change. The apprentice learns by working next to you.
  • Let them work alongside you — They provide productive labor under your supervision while gaining real experience.
  • Sign off on their hours and tasks — Quick digital sign-offs right in the Grease Pilot system. Takes seconds.
  • No classroom teaching required — The FAA requires practical experience, not lectures. You teach by doing.

What Grease Pilot Handles

  • OJT Hour Tracking — Automatic logging of airframe and powerplant hours with detailed task entries.
  • Task Documentation — Every task logged with aircraft N-numbers, descriptions, and timestamps.
  • Progress Reports — See where your apprentice stands on their 18/30 month requirements at a glance.
  • Apprentice Matching — Motivated students in your area find you and send requests. You choose who to work with.

Hiring vs. Training: The Numbers Don't Lie

When you can't find experienced mechanics, growing your own talent is the smartest move.

Hire an Experienced A&P

The expensive gamble

Cost Per Hour
$38+/hour
BLS median A&P wage is $37.84/hr ($78,680/year) — and rising
Retention
2-3 Years
Then they leave for airlines offering 20-50% raises
Replacement Cost
$50,000 - $120,000
Recruiting, lost productivity, and retraining — industry estimates 1–1.5× annual salary
Availability
~24,000 Unfilled Jobs
Oliver Wyman projects the shortage will reach 40,000 by 2028
Loyalty
Low
No personal investment — they'll jump ship for a better offer

Train an Apprentice

The smart investment

Cost Per Hour
$14-25/hour
37-66% less than an experienced mechanic
Retention
90%+ Stay
Stay in the trade after program completion
Replacement Cost
$0
They're already trained to your standards and your shop
Availability
Growing Pipeline
Motivated students actively looking for OJT opportunities
Loyalty
High
You gave them their career — that builds real loyalty

Sources: Median A&P wage — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2024). Unfilled jobs & shortage projections — Aviation Technician Education Council Workforce Data; Oliver Wyman MRO Survey 2024. Replacement cost estimates — Center for American Progress; SHRM. Apprenticeship retention — U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship.

The Return on Investment Is Proven

The U.S. Department of Labor studied apprenticeship programs across industries. The data speaks for itself.

$1.47
Returned for every $1 invested in an apprentice
90%
Retention rate after program completion
29
States offering tax credits up to $12,600/yr
68%
Of employers see positive ROI within 5 years

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) Evaluation Report; Apprenticeship.gov State Tax Credit Programs. ROI figures reflect employer-reported outcomes across industries studied.

Get Started in 3 Simple Steps

No paperwork. No fees. No obligations.

1

Create Your Free Account

Takes 1 minute. No credit card required.

2

Get Matched With Apprentices

Students in your area send you requests. You choose who to work with — no pressure, no commitment.

3

They Work, You Supervise

Your apprentice provides productive labor while learning. Grease Pilot tracks hours, tasks, and progress.

Join the A&Ps Building the Next Generation of Mechanics

Making a free account takes 1 minute or less.

Create Free Supervisor Account →

No credit card. No commitment. Just opportunity.