Aviation Mechanics With Dual Certifications And Specialized Training May Find More Opportunities

Aviation Mechanics With Dual Certifications And Specialized Training May Find More Opportunities

Aviation maintenance mechanics and its various sub-specialties are an integral part of the team that keeps airplanes flying safely in the sky. An aviation mechanic will service, repair, and overhaul aircraft systems that include parts such as aircraft instruments, airframes, engines, and electrical and hydraulic systems, among others. The airline maintenance industry has experienced great change in recent years and will most likely continue to change due to rapid advancements in the technology and materials used to build airplane structures.

Aviation mechanical technicians service all the various aircraft components and systems, with each specific mechanic responsible for a different section of the aircraft. A mechanic acting in an apprentice capacity or as an assistant mechanic may be unlicensed; however, actual aviation technicians must be properly licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to repair certain parts of the aircraft.

The FAA's Repairman Certificate is the designation required for a mechanic to work on specific parts of the plane. Some licenses certify aviation mechanics to service propellers, radios, or flight instruments. For instance, an Airframe Mechanic is responsible for the maintenance of an aircraft's frame, while a Power Plant Mechanic maintains the engine.

Aviation mechanics with certifications in both airframe and power plant specialties are known as A&P Mechanics. This dual certification typically increases a mechanic's job prospects and earning potential. A&P Mechanics are also in demand when they are adequately trained to work on the gauges and instruments pilots operate.

Aircraft mechanics often find their work is driven by tight maintenance schedules or unexpected airplane repairs that affect the convenience of passengers and airline personnel. Meeting schedules is an important part of a mechanic's job; an aviation mechanic must never sacrifice the high standards of workmanship to potentially meet a deadline.

Aviation maintenance mechanics may work unusually long shifts that include weekends, nights, and even holidays. It should not be a surprise that most of the work will be done outdoors regardless of weather conditions. The nature of the job will subject you to periods of loud engine noise. And when you spend your time working on engines, expect to get your hands dirty.

If you enjoy working with your hands and have above-average mechanical skills, a career as an aircraft mechanic may be a good fit for you. Those considering careers in this field should have an innate interest in aviation and understand the need to do a job thoroughly and carefully. Aviation mechanics often find themselves on ladders or scaffolds, and the job often has heavy physical demands. Manipulating 50-pound engine parts are a routine part of the job, as are physical requirements like constant kneeling, stooping, and crawling.