Become an Independent Aircraft Mechanic
Side work, a side business, or going out on your own full time — it starts the same way: aircraft owners need to be able to find you.
Get listed free. Keep your day job while you build.500+ A&P mechanics already in the Phalanx database
Supporting A&P mechanics since 2019
You choose your base city and how far you travel
Free account — no card required
You do not have to quit anything to start. Most mechanics begin with an annual here and a pre-buy there, then decide how far they want to take it.
Side work
Take the jobs that fit around your schedule — no notice, no quitting anything.
A side business
Build a local customer base on your own terms, at your own pace.
Full independence
Your own shop, your own customers, your own rates.
Your database registration
Name, base city, radius, licenses, experience, and the aircraft you actually work on.
New job notifications
Hear about new work from owners looking for a mechanic near them.
A free Grease Pilot account
Your free Phalanx listing, plus access to Grease Pilot School — sign OJT records, manage apprentices, and keep your documents. No card required.
Your details go into the Phalanx A&P database — the directory owners and operators search when they need a mechanic near their airport. You set the base city and the radius; they see the aircraft you actually work on.
Searchable by location
Owners and operators search the database by location and the aircraft they fly.
You control your radius
Set a radius from 30 miles out to nationwide — you decide how far a job is worth driving.
Job notifications
Get notified when maintenance work comes up in your area.
One form creates your free account and puts you in the Phalanx database. It takes about two minutes.
Does it cost anything to get listed?
No. The listing and the account are free, and no card is required. Paid memberships add the job board and business tools, but nothing about your listing depends on them.
Do I need my own repair station to take side work?
No. An A&P certificate is what authorizes you to perform and approve maintenance — the FAA confirms a certificated mechanic can work independently without a repair station certificate. What you do need is a clear understanding of your privileges and limitations, and records for the work you sign.
How do aircraft owners actually find me?
Your listing goes into the Phalanx A&P database, which owners and operators search by location and aircraft type. You choose your base city and how far you are willing to travel.
I already work full time. Is this still for me?
Yes — most mechanics start here. A listing costs nothing to keep, so you can take side work when it suits you and scale up only if you decide to.
Create your free listing and get in front of the aircraft owners near you. It takes about two minutes.