Job Description of an Aviation Mechanic
The aviation mechanic is a well-rounded mechanic who has the training and skills to perform a variety of maintenance tasks that range from turbine engine and reciprocating engine to electrical, hydraulic and airframe systems on complex aircraft. The range of airplanes starts at small single engine airplanes to large, multiple-engine airliners. The wages that an aviation mechanic makes depend on the individual's experience, FAA certifications and licenses and the type of aircraft he works on.
Other People Are Reading
-
Function
-
An aviation mechanic typically performs aircraft engine maintenance and other mechanical and airframe aircraft parts. Maintenance performed ranges from preventative maintenance and scheduled inspections to troubleshooting complex malfunctions and replacing defective components. The mechanic will work on reciprocating or turbine engines, landing gear systems, hydraulic systems, airframes, electrical systems, oxygen and pressurization systems. Mechanics must also have a good working knowledge of computers to remain strong competitors in this field.
Work Environment
-
Aircraft mechanics work in airplane hangars, repair shops or stations and airport flight lines or ramps where aircraft are parked. The schedule a mechanic will work is dependent on the type of company he is working for and is usually a 40-hour work week. A general aviation company may only work during the day or on a client's schedule. Major airlines operate around the clock, and mechanics may be on shift schedules.
-
Education and Training
-
An aviation mechanic, even at the entry level, will be required by most employers to have a high school diploma or equivalent and possession of an FAA Airframe and Power Plant license in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 65. Other than the military, it is rare to learn this trade through on-the-job-training. There are more than 170 aviation maintenance technician schools certified by the FAA that offer coursework to prepare individuals for their FAA certificates.
Types of Employment
-
Almost 50 percent of aircraft mechanics work in the transportation industry for airlines or general aviation, working directly on aircraft; 21 percent work in the aerospace parts and manufacturing industry, supporting the transportation industry; 15-percent work for the federal government; and the rest own their own planes or work for companies that own their own planes.
Outlook
-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth for aviation mechanics will be average with employment increasing at an expected 7 percent until 2018. Most of this growth will come from mechanics retiring. The fastest growing segment in the transportation industry is the commuter and regional airlines, and the job prospects there look the best primarily because they typically pay less than the larger airlines and attract less applicants.
-
References
- Photo Credit aircraft image by Kolas Yauheni from Fotolia.com
