General Information
about Aircraft Mechanics
Job Description
Aircraft mechanics maintain aircraft
in operating condition, perform scheduled maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs,
and complete any required inspections. They inspect airframes, engines (also
known as powerplants), landing gear, instruments, brakes, tires, valves, pumps,
and other parts of the aircraft. These inspections may be based on aircraft
flight time, calendar days, cycles of operation, conditions, or a combination
of these factors.
Aircraft mechanics also perform maintenance on broken or shorted out wires
and replace or repair them. They also replace any defective electrical or
electronic components.
Mechanics may work on many different types of aircraft (i.e., jets, propeller-driven
airplanes, or helicopters) or may specialize in type. They may also specialize
in either airframes, powerplants, or electrical systems. Powerplant mechanics
maintain engines(powerplants) and, to some extent, propellers. Airframe mechanics,
on the other hand, work on any part of the aircraft except the instruments,
powerplants, or the propellers. Combination airframe-and-powerplant mechanics,
also known as A & P mechanics, work on the entire airplane exceptfor the instruments.
Modern aircraft are continually increasing in complexity. The most modern
aircraft now rely on heavily on avionics systems like global positioning system
(GPS) and and threat collision avoidance system (TCAS). Systems like these
are now integral to aircraft design and safety. This has led to specialized
avionics technicians who maintain aircraft components used for aircraft navigation,
communications, radar, and computers that control aircraft flight functions.
These duties often require an additional FCC radiotelephone license with appropriate
endorsements.
Working Conditions
Mechanics may work in indoor areas like hangars and repair shops, or outdoors.
The conditions outdoors vary with geographic locations and time of day. Frequently,
repairs must be made quickly in order to maintain flight schedules. Under
these conditions, mechanics must work as fast as possible without sacrificing
the safety of the aircraft or its passengers.
Aircraft mechanics occassionally lift heavy items and work in awkward positions
that require kneeling or squatting. Additionally, they must often work on
platforms, ladders, and scaffolds. Noise from aircraft and ground equipment
is common concern for mechanics wherever they work. These various conditions
mandate that the mechanic be familiar with safety rules and regulations.
The average work week for aircraft mechanics is 8 hours per day for 5 days.
This 40 hour work week may also include overtime especially when operational
committments must be met or backlog reduced.
Employment
In 1998, aircraft mechanics and service technicians accounted for about 133,000
jobs. Airlines, airports, and airfields accounted for almost 65% of all salaried
mechanic positions. A little over 12% of the mechanics worked for the Federal
Government while 14% worked for aircraft manufacturers and repair stations.
The rest of the mechanics worked in general aviation including independent
repair shops, small air transport companies, or were self-employed.
The majority of airline mechanics work at major airports near large cities.
The Armed Forces employ civilian mechanics at military installations. Aircraft
manufacturers in California or Washington state employ large proportions of
mechanics. Mechanics who work for the FAA work primarily in Oklahoma City,
Atlantic City, or Washington, DC. Independent repair shops at airports in
every part of the country also employ mechanics.
Training
The FAA certificates a mechanic as either an Airframe Mechanic, a Powerplant
Mechanic, or as an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic. An individual who also
has an Inspector Authorization (IA) can certify work completed by other mechanics
and perform required inspections. Uncertificated mechanics normally are supervised
by mechanics with certificates. The FCC, on the other hand, licenses a mechanic
as a General Radiotelephone Operator and issues appropriate license endorsements
based the individual's knowledge of radio transmissions, basic electricity,
and radar.
A minimum of 18 months of work experience is required for an airframe or a
powerplant license. For a combined A & P certificate, a minimum of 30 months
of experience working with both airframes and powerplants is required. Many
applicants have completed a maintenance program at an FAA certificated mechanic
school. This training may be substituted for the work experience requirement.
All applicants must pass written and oral tests as well as a practical examination
to demonstrate that they can perform the work authorized by the certificate.
A mechanic must have been licensed for a minimum of 3 years in order to qualify
for the inspector authorization exam.
Aircraft maintenance personnel in the Armed Forces usually acquire enough
general experience to satisfy the FAA work experience requirements for the
FAA certificate. Normally, however, jobs in the military are too specialized
to provide the broad experience required by the FAA. Therefore, most Armed
Forces mechanics have to complete additional training in order to qualify
for both licenses. In any case, military experience is a great advantage when
seeking employment especially when coupled with trade school training.
FAA regulations require current experience to keep the A & P certificate valid.
Applicants must have at least 1,000 hours work experience in the previous
24 months or take a refresher course. Furthermore, more employers are requiring
mechanics to take on-going training, to maintain and update their skills.
Recent technological advances in aircraft maintenance necessitate a strong
background in electronics. FAA certification standards also make ongoing training
mandatory. Every 24 months, mechanics are required to take at least 16 hours
of training to keep their certificate.
Aircraft mechanics must be meticulous. A mechanic's thoroughness requires
a high degree of mechanical aptitude. Employers seek applicants who are self-motivated,
hard-working, enthusiastic, and able to diagnose and solve complex mechanical
problems. Agility is also important because of the reaching and climbing necessary
for the job. Additionally, because mechanics may work on the top of wings
and fuselages, applicants should not be afraid of heights.
Advancement for aircraft mechanics often means promotion to lead mechanic
(or crew chief), inspector, lead inspector, or shop supervisor positions.
Opportunities are best for those who have an aircraft inspector authorization.
In the airlines, where promotion is often determined by examination, supervisors
sometimes advance to executive positions. Those with broad experience in maintenance
and overhaul might become inspectors with the FAA. With additional business
and management training, some open their own aircraft maintenance facilities.
Outlook
The employment outlook for aircraft mechanics should be favorable over the
next 10 years. The small numbers of young workers in the labor force, coupled
with few entrants from the military, and a large number of retirements point
to good employment conditions for students just beginning training.
Job opportunities are likely to be the best at small commuter and regional
airlines, FAA repair stations, and in general aviation. Because wages in these
companies tend to be relatively low, there are fewer applicants for these
jobs than for jobs with the major airlines. Also, some jobs will become available
as experienced mechanics leave for higher paying jobs with airlines or transfer
to another occupation. Mechanics will face competition for large airline jobs,
because the high wages and travel benefits for these jobs attract more qualified
applicants than there are openings. Prospects will be best for applicants
with significant experience. Mechanics who keep abreast of technological advances
in electronics, composite materials, and other areas will be in greatest demand.
The number of job openings for aircraft mechanics in the Federal Government
should decline, as the size of the Armed Forces is reduced.
Most job openings for aircraft mechanics through the year 2008 will stem from
replacement needs. Each year, as mechanics transfer to other occupations or
retire, several thousand job openings will arise. Aircraft mechanics have
a comparatively strong attachment to the occupation, reflecting their significant
investment in training and a love for aviation. However, because aircraft
mechanics skills are transferable to other occupations, some mechanics leave
for work in related fields. During recessions, declines in air travel force
airlines to curtail the number of flights, which result in less aircraft maintenance
and, consequently, layoffs.
Pay/Salary
Average hourly earnings of aircraft mechanics in 1999 were about $19.90. The
hourly pay for a mechanic varies according to geographic region and employer.
Listed below are average hourly rates for different types of employers.
Corporate Air Transportation |
$24.35 |
| Major Airline | $23.35 |
| Regional Airline | $16.70 |
| Manufacturers | $18.80 |
| Government | $18.15 |
Mechanics who work for the major
airlines generally earn more than those working on other aircraft. Airline
mechanics and their immediate families receive reduced fare transportation
on their own and most other airlines.
Unions
Almost one-half of all aircraft mechanics, including those employed by some
major airlines, are covered by union agreements. The principal unions are
the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the Transport
Workers Union of America, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and
the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.