Airplane Mechanic Jobs | Aviation Mechanic Jobs | What Are Aviation Mechanics?
Airplane Mechanic Jobs - What is the Job of a Aircraft Mechanic ? What does a Aviation Maintenance Job Involve?
Aircraft mechanics are responsible for keeping airplanes and avionics equipment in top flying condition, making repairs and completing inspections as directed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Aviation mechanics may also be known as plane mechanics and avionics technicians, with the responsibility of inspecting aircraft engines, instruments, and airplane accessories such as pumps, heating and cooling systems, and brakes, among other parts.
Airplane mechanic jobs also involve conducting regular inspections of the aircraft, which can involve checking computerized monitoring systems, and following a regular schedule of systems that need to be checked. Aircraft mechanics may have to examine engines by taking them apart, using precision instruments and x-ray inspection in order to check for hairline cracks. If any engine parts are defective or worn, an aircraft technician will repair them or replace them.
When conducting a routine inspection, aircraft maintenance technician will also check for cracks or damage in the wings, the tail, and the fuselage, testing all airplane systems to make sure that their functioning properly.
Other airline mechanics will specialize in conducting repair jobs, fixing problems that a pilot notices or that are discovered during a preflight check, such as a fuel gauge malfunctioning. An airline mechanic will troubleshoot airplane electrical systems in order to discover why the fuel gauge is not functioning properly and replace any damaged components or broken wires.
Since airplane systems are exceedingly complex and there are many different varieties of planes such as jets, helicopters, and switch planes, most airline mechanics will specialize in a particular part of an airplane, such as the propellers or fuselage. Air frame mechanics are responsible for working on every part of the aircraft except for the propellers, the electrical instruments, and the power generators. Power plant mechanics are responsible for working on engines and doing some work on the propellers.
A&P mechanics are responsible for working on every part of the plane except for the instruments, and aviation mechanics may also be known as airframe mechanics. Avionics system repair workers are responsible for fixing problems with airplane navigation and radio communications, as well as other flight instruments which control engine, propeller speed, and other basic airplane functions which are now mostly computerized. Avionics technicians will first try to identify the problem and then either repair or replace the damaged part.
Some avionics technician jobs will require additional certification from various Federal agencies and much time is spent on fixing airplane electronic systems and computerized controls due to the increasing sophistication of commercial aircraft.
Working Conditions for Airplane Mechanic Jobs - How is the Working Environment for Aircraft Maintenance Jobs?
Most airplane mechanic jobs last 40 hours a week with over time being common in order to get an airplane back in the air as soon as possible. Aircraft mechanics jobs involve working outdoors in inclement weather, and the aviation mechanic is under a lot of pressure in order to meet flight schedules and to maintain rigorous safety standards.
Flight mechanics must also be strong as they have to lift heavy objects sometimes weighing as much as 70 pounds.
Aircraft Mechanic School Training - How to Become a Aircraft Mechanic - How to Receive Your Aircraft Maintenance Training
Airplane mechanic training is offered by 170 schools that are certified by the Federal aviation administration across the American continent, with most airplane mechanic schools specializing in associates and bachelor’s degrees in avionics, aviation management, and aviation technology. Most courses will last two years and require 1900 classroom hours as established by the FAA.
Most aircraft mechanic schools now offer training in turbine engines, and graphite and fiberglass planes due to their increasing use in the aircraft industry. Mechanical drawing and computer science are also taught in order to be able to understand the functioning of sophisticated aircraft equipment and aircraft electrical systems.
Airplane Mechanic School Requirements - How to Become a Airplane Mechanic
At a minimum, the Federal Aviation Administration requires 18 months of on the job experience in order to become an airline mechanic, although FAA training can be substituted for work experience. The FAA offers combined aircraft mechanic certification in both airframe and power plant mechanic work with A&P accreditation.
A&P certifications must be kept valid by renewal involving 1000 hours of work experience every 24 months or a refresher aircraft mechanic course will be necessary to become recertified. Avionics technicians will also require an FAA aircraft mechanics certificate, and applicants should be 18 years or older.
The work of an aircraft mechanic job involves a heavy degree of mechanical skill, and individuals have to be hardworking and enthusiastic about solving complex aerospace problems in order to get planes up and operational.
As an aircraft mechanics gains experience, they may eventually become an airplane crew chief or an airplane inspector. Over time, an aircraft mechanic may decide to become a flight engineer, actually gaining enough additional training in order to become an airline pilot. Other aviation mechanics decide to become airplane inspectors, working for the FAA.
Aviation Mechanic Employment - What Are The Future Prospects of Aircraft Mechanic Jobs?
Over the next decade, aviation mechanic employment should grow by about 10%, with airline passenger traffic increasing as a result of a growing population. A number of baby boomer mechanics are expected to retire over the next 10 years, and other aircraft maintenance workers decide to transfer into fields such as automotive repair.
Less students are entering technical and vocational schools in order to learn a skilled trade, so there are few qualified people who are entering the field as aircraft mechanics. The most difficult aircraft mechanic jobs to receive are those with major airlines, due to the high benefit pay and wage scale which attracts qualified applicants.
The best job prospects for aircraft mechanics and airplane technicians are at regional airports or smaller commuter airports, and those aviation mechanics with experience in the latest technologies will have good employment prospects.
Aviation Mechanics Salary Pay Scale - How Much Do Airplane Mechanic Jobs Earn?
In 2006, aircraft mechanic jobs had median hourly wages of $22.95 an hour, with those working in air transport earning the most at $27.46 an hour, and those in air transport support earning the least amount at $19.57 an hour.
In the same year, avionics technicians had median wages of $22.57 an hour, with those avionics mechanics working on jets earning the highest rate of pay.
Almost a third of aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians are members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, or the Transport Workers Union of America.