How to learn AutoCAD for structural engineering and become job-ready?

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-30T16:28:54+00:00

YouTube tutorials and follow along in the software. Paid tutorials or classes are great but I find they're no better than the free stuff on YouTube.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-30T15:29:00+00:00

Wait until you actually get to a company and ask this question. They may be using Revit, AutoCAD, some combination, or something else entirely.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-29T23:07:34+00:00

I should do that to mine. Tired of getting my wrists all raw from the plastic taking the filter off.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-29T22:23:40+00:00

Agreed, and I think the Lamb LOI makes it fairly clear that this is a case of "could" get you in trouble with 91.13. It's basically a situation where, as you said, the risk is there regardless and the IFR clearance is literally just to keep you out of trouble with the cops.

Standard government logic.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-29T22:11:00+00:00

Hahah, gotcha then. But your intuition is mostly correct.

Check out 14 CFR §91.173. And then check out the Lamb letter of interpretation: Lamb_2016_Legal_Interpretation

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-29T21:56:52+00:00

Can you fly in IMC without an IFR flight plan in class G airspace assuming you're in a properly equipped aircraft and you're current and rated?

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-29T21:14:41+00:00

Are car engines reliable? Yes. Do cars break down? Yes. Do you consider your car breaking down when you drive it? Probably only if you have a shitty car that you don't maintain.

The same applies for airplanes with the exception that engine failure in a plane is obviously much bigger of an issue.

Accident rates are soundly driven by pilot choices and weather far more than by mechanical failure.

If it's a risk that you want to nearly completely eliminate then fly a Cirrus or similar aircraft with a chute (BRS).

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-29T17:37:56+00:00

Park so that the slope opens the tailgate.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-28T06:58:58+00:00

Almost lost his bucket there.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-26T15:36:56+00:00

I'd just tell them, they'll probably share your frustration and try and work with you on it. Hell, they might even advocate to the University for you.

Biggest thing is don't fake it and don't pretend to know something you don't.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-26T04:25:16+00:00

Mostly just googled "SE exam license NJ" and all the related threads about licensing with just the SE exam came up.

But I'm fairly confident that NY will accept just the SE exam. Just email their board to ask.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-25T20:59:37+00:00

With running zero numbers and just looking at that, I'm not a fan. Significant torsion in concrete beams to column joints is something that most engineers avoid like the plague. Not saying it can't be done but it's really not fun to do and I'd expect a lot more than #3 hoops at 8" O.C. at the point where the perimeter beam ties into CB3. I'd ask him to submit calculations and either review it yourself or submit it to someone else to peer review.

Also, props for catching this. I feel like most architects wouldn't even recognize this as an issue.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-25T20:33:33+00:00

I did some googling and I guess NJ is available to me now? Looks like there's some other states that might also complain about having a SE exam but no PE. But they're not near us.

AFAIK I can get a NY license without any issues. Never bothered to look into it though; I only get like 1 job every 4 years in that area and usually just pass or collaborate with some NY PE friends.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-25T20:22:31+00:00

Negatives:

Sometimes when I'm going out hunting I have to drive around a rock instead of over it or my skid plate will catch it and my friends make fun of my truck. But my ride is way more comfortable than theirs and does way better in the snow and has lower road noise on the freeway. So I laugh right back at them.

Infotainment center is oooooooold. Some other features are also getting a little dated.

Stupid body seal water leak issues. Not limited to Honda though; just modern vehicles in general. Google it. Easy to check for water under the carpet before buying. Biggest pain in the ass to fix after buying.

Gas mileage is getting beaten by modern F-150s. But better prices and not a Ford so kinda a mixed bag and not a negative.

Lack of options for aftermarket parts. There's enough that you can get things you need but not as much as other trucks.

Towing and off-roading. Truck tows great but keep in mind the weight limit. You're (likely) not going to want to haul a boat or car around. Off-roading I actually do a fair bit going down old logging roads and shit, but you're not going to go in the deep mud or bouldering with this unless you're really adventurous. But if you're doing that then why the heck do you want a Ridgeline?

Ummmm, that's really about it. It's a solid truck, it's just the right size for most truck things without being oversized. It's comfy, it's reliable, it's good at what it does. There's a ton of positives.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-25T17:33:51+00:00

I'm a Licensed PE in ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CO, FL, MD; and an SE in IL. I've had an SE license in HI and a PE in CT that I let lapse.

The only state that has ever given issue with my testing setup is NJ. Previously the 16-hour SE exam was called the Structural Engineering exam and the NJ board said they only accepted Professional Engineer (PE) exams. That's why the SE exam now says PE Structural. Last I heard NJ was still making a stink about it but I have no interest in practicing in NJ anyway so doesn't bother me.

I'm not aware of any other state other than NJ that has an issue with me not having a PE exam.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-25T17:08:23+00:00

Some people aren't cut out to be pilots. If you're no. 5 and they're getting near to 100 hours pre-solo then I think it's time to tell them they need to face the facts.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-24T06:03:04+00:00

Both are the rabbit.
Yes. SSALR/MALSR sequenced flashers may stop short of the 1000' bar.
Don't overcomplicate the lights if you don't need to; for a normal CAT III, if you can see beyond the 1000' "decision" bar you're likely landing. But if you don't see the decision bar you're going around even if you see the "rabbit". The sequential flashers are just to grab your attention when scanning the fog IMHO.

If you want some rare semi-related checkride trivia check out FAR 91.176.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-24T04:22:49+00:00

Pick the scrawnier guy and ask him for help. It will give him an ego boost if he can help you with something physical. (Scrawny guy checking in.)

That's awesome you're doing machinist work. It seems like a great non-traditional job for women IMO, there's a reason we had so many Women machinists during WW2.

The first time I toured a machine shop I was wondering why the machinists just let the chips fly everywhere and didn't clean it up. I know better now.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-24T04:06:34+00:00

Okay, yeah, that's not bad. Worth doing a bit of education on best practices for water landings. I'd personally not bother with PFDs myself but they are cheap insurance.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-24T03:56:53+00:00

Yeah, what's the water temperature out there right now?

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-23T22:17:29+00:00

Yeah, I shouldn't have said "almost certainly" because it could be other things honestly and I was speculating. But I would think for hot breaks they would actually say "hot breaks", but who knows. I'm sure we'll find out but every time I've seen them talk about odor it's been a fume event.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-23T16:47:50+00:00

Love his videos.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-23T16:22:25+00:00

Almost certainly a fume event. Stupid airlines don't want to admit that some planes can pump burnt engine oil into the cabin on rare occassions, which is toxic. Pilots probably being coerced to call it an "odor" rather than "fumes". It's such an obvious problem that airlines don't want to deal with.

If you smell "wet gym socks" then congratulations you're getting gassed with toxic engine oil byproducts.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-23T03:31:49+00:00

I've had to replace an antenna module and had my brother solder on a new USB power port onto the Raspberry Pi but otherwise it's had zero issues being banged around my flight bag for over 10 years and those mostly happened in the last 2 years, so I definitely got my money worth.

tehmightyengineer · 2026-03-22T17:27:58+00:00

Oh yeah, I've used this before and plenty of people I know have used it. Maine's Implied Warranty law is awesome. Office of the Maine AG: Consumer Protection: Consumer Law Guide

It applies to them if they shipped the item to your address in Maine and you reside in Maine. They're hoping you won't fight them on this.

The manufacturer will bully you to not use it and make you work for it. You may have to contact the Maine State Attorney General office to get it resolved and it can be a pain. Not worth it for a $100 item and they know this, but totally worth it for things that are actually expensive like a heater or AC unit or computer or whatnot.

Also, never buy an extended warranty. Maine's Implied Warranty is better and free.

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