A wide range of aircraft is serviced and repaired by aircraft mechanics. Additionally, they conduct inspections as required by the FAA.
Have you thought of aircraft mechanic jobs? This article will take you on how to make it to your new career as an aircraft mechanic.
Read: Aerospace Technician: Salary and Job
Aircraft Mechanic: What is it?
Aircraft mechanics need to be physically fit and detail-oriented people with excellent observational skills in order to deal with large machinery and equipment. They can solve problems and are at ease working both independently and in a group. Although salaries are higher than the national median for all occupations, the work can be highly demanding, and overtime, nights, and weekends are frequently required.
What Do they Do?
Due to their complexity, airplanes need dependable components and maintenance in order to operate properly. Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians carry out routine maintenance, make repairs, and finish inspections to keep an aircraft in operable condition. They are required to abide by intricate federal regulations that the FAA has established and that specify maintenance schedules for various operations.
- Look for defects, leaks, or cracks in the fuselage, hydraulic systems, landing gear, and deicers when inspecting airplane parts.
- Fix or replace broken parts, including those on wings, brakes, electrical systems, and other aspects of the aircraft.
- Replace damaged components with hand or power tools.
- Identifying mechanical or electrical issues.
- As required by rules, conduct regular and exceptional inspections. Verify the quality of the finished work and the readiness of the aircraft for operation.
- Modify aircraft structures, spacecraft, systems, or components by adhering to engineering directives, drawings, charts, and technical documents.
- Maintain, repair, and rebuild the rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, and seals as well as other structural and functional elements of the aircraft.
How to Get into the Industry
Although licenses and certificates are not necessary, the majority of aircraft mechanics and technicians do so since doing so can frequently increase their employability and pay. The FAA mandates that all maintenance on aircraft must be performed either by a certified mechanic or under their direct supervision.
As a result, many mechanics and technicians attend an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school to study their vocation. Some people start with a high school diploma or a GED and receive on-the-job training. Some personnel joins the field after completing their training in the armed forces.
Specialization Areas
Many mechanics are generalists who work on a variety of aircraft, including piston-powered aircraft, helicopters, and jets. Others focus on a single component of a specific type of aircraft, such as the engine, hydraulic system, or electrical system. In independent repair facilities, mechanics typically examine and maintain a wide range of aircraft.
A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) certificates from the FAA are typically held by mechanics who operate on civil aircraft. With the exception of flying instruments and significant work on propellers, mechanics with these credentials are qualified to work on the majority of the aircraft’s components. Avionics technicians with specialized training often take care of an aircraft’s electronic flying instruments.
Salary Information for Aircraft Mechanics
The information below will help you learn more about this profession. The editorial material and recommendations on this page are based on our research, while the income and growth information is based on newly released Bureau of Labor Statistics statistics. The national average salary for this career is $60,000 while their hourly charge is $29.
How Aircraft Mechanic Jobs Fares Compared to Other Professions Nationwide?
For a total of 121,500 people employed in the career nationwide by 2024, 1,600 jobs will change. This represents a 1.3% change in growth over the following ten years, giving the career an Above Average growth rate nationally.
How Do the Pay Rates for Aircraft Mechanics Compare to those in other American Jobs?
According to the most recent data on employment across the country, an aircraft mechanic can earn an average annual salary of $60,160, or $29 per hour. On the low end, they can earn $46,720, which equates to $22 an hour, possibly when just starting out or depending on the state you reside in.
