Airplane Mechanic Job Description
Airplane mechanics are responsible for repairing, diagnosing, adjusting, servicing and inspecting airplane engines and assemblies and often work for commercial airlines, the military and private businesses. They are also known as aircraft mechanics, aircraft technicians, avionics technicians, aircraft equipment mechanics, airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance technicians.
Other People Are Reading
-
Specific Duties
-
Airplane mechanics typically conduct inspections of airframes and aircraft components to: identify leaks, breaks, defects or other problems; repair and rebuild aircraft structures and components (such as fuel systems, oxygen systems, wings and fuselage); and replace or repair damaged and worn parts using gauges, hand tools and testing equipment. They document aircraft repairs and preventive maintenance in repair logs and review completed repair work to certify that an aircraft is ready for operation. Some mechanics specialize in specific areas such as preventive maintenance or repair work, or specific types of aircrafts, such as helicopters or jets.
Education and Training
-
Most mechanics learn their skills from aviation maintenance technician schools approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Training programs generally last 12 to 24 months, although some schools also offer 2- and 4-year degrees. A small number of mechanics receive their training on-the-job from experienced mechanics. However, due to FAA rules, their work must be supervised and documented by certified mechanics until they become FAA-certified. Consequently, most employers only hire FAA-certified mechanics.
-
Certification
-
The FAA requires that all mechanics who perform maintenance work on aircrafts be certified or perform the work under the supervision of a certified mechanic. The FAA offers certifications in airframe mechanics (A license) for airplane body work, and powerplant mechanics (P license) for engine work. Some mechanics obtain either the A or P license, while others choose to obtain both. To qualify for certification, in general a candidate must be at least 18 years of age, able to read and write English, and pass written, practical and oral tests. To maintain their certification, mechanics must have accumulated at least 1,000 hours of work experience in the previous two-year period or take a refresher course.
Working Conditions
-
Most airplane mechanics work in hangars or outdoors in airfields and frequently need to pull or lift objects weighing more than 70 pounds. They sometimes need to work in dangerous positions such as scaffolds, ladders or on top of aircraft wings and the fuselages of large planes. Because of the loud noise and constant vibration, mechanics must take preventive measure to protect their hearing. They also typically work under stressful conditions due to the time pressure of needing to perform repairs and inspections quickly to maintain flight schedules, as well as bearing the responsibility for the safety of aircraft crew and passengers.
Salary and Job Outlook
-
As of May 2009, the national median wage for mechanics was $25.39 per hour according to occupational data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In general, mechanics who work on jets for major airlines earn more than those working on other types of aircrafts. The job outlook for airplane mechanics is expected to increase by 7 percent during between 2008 and 2018. The best prospects are for applicants with previous experience and who have both the A and P FAA certification.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit airplane image by Grigoriev Vitalii from Fotolia.com
