Aviation Maintenance Technician
What To Expect
Aviation maintenance specialists are a key component of the airline industry and air force. Aviation maintenance specialist are aircraft mechanics with the skills to keep airplanes, jets, helicopters and other types of aircraft in top operating condition. Aircraft maintenance specialists complete scheduled aircraft maintenance, repairs, FAA inspections and other preventative maintenance.
Aviation maintenance specialists keep aircraft operating safely and efficiently by completing several different types of tasks. These aircraft mechanics inspect, service, replace parts or repair the aircraft’s engines, landing gears, instruments, pressurized sections, brakes, valves, pumps, air-conditioning systems and other parts of the aircraft. Aircraft maintenance crews coordinate with pilots during pre-flight checks to verify that all the gauges and controls are functioning properly. Aviation mechanics also keep records to keep track of the maintenance performed on an aircraft.
Qualified aviation maintenance and aircraft mechanics are generally employed by major, regional and commuter airlines. Aircraft mechanics also get jobs at international, national or municipal airports where they service fleets of various aircraft types. Many civilian aircraft mechanics are employed by U.S. Air Force and work at military installations. Some aviation mechanics find jobs with airline manufacturing companies or at FAA repair stations. Aviation maintenance specialists use the experience they gain to advance their careers in the industry. Many advance to supervisory positions, such as lead mechanic, crew chief, lead inspector, or shop supervisor.
Recommended Qualifications
People pursing a career in aircraft maintenance must complete aircraft maintenance courses and earn a certification or degree from an aircraft maintenance school certified by the FAA. At aircraft mechanic school and aircraft maintenance school, people work on a degree in a targeted field of aviation maintenance and repair, such as avionics, aviation technology or aviation maintenance management. At aircraft mechanic school the student must complete aircraft maintenance course requirements that involve learning about and gaining experience in turbine engine technology and operation, aviation electronics used in new aircraft models, and the materials used to construct the plane. Students must also learn to use the tools used by aircraft mechanics. After completing aircraft maintenance courses at an FAA-certified aircraft mechanic school, the new aviation maintenance specialist can apply for certification.