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*Job Description:
The aircraft-aviation industry provides many career opportunities in airplane maintenance and mechanical service and aircraft repair.
Scheduled maintenance and inspections are required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Records must be maintained on repairs, diagnostic testing and scheduled maintenance for all aircraft, whether single engine airplanes or the most sophisticated carriers.
Many airplane mechanics (also called a airframe mechanic, power plant mechanic, and avionics technicians) carry out these tasks. Many inspections and repairs can only be made through openings in the aircraft. They replace worn or defective parts, repair sheet metal, check for cracks in the fuselage, wings and tail.
An airframe mechanic is allowed to work on any part of the aircraft except the power plants, propellers and the instruments, while a power plant mechanic specializes in engines and some propeller repairs. Most aircraft technicians today are combination airframe and power plant mechanics who are authorized to work on the entire aircraft except instruments.
With the new technology and avionics systems on aircraft today specialized technicians, called avionics technicians, are required to maintain the systems. Because of the complexity of these instruments and their infinite controls, additional licenses may be required by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
*Education/Training:
As has already been mentioned, the FAA and FCC require aircraft mechanics and aircraft technicians to be licensed/certified for certain positions. However, uncertified aircraft mechanics can be employed and work under certified employees. Aircraft or power plant certificates require 18 months of work experience, and a combined A&P (airframe mechanic...power plant mechanic) certificate requires at least 30 months of experience with both engines and airframes. The completion of a course at an FAA-certified mechanic school can be substituted for the experience requirements. An inspector's certification requires a mechanic to have held an A&P certificate for at least 3 years, with 24 months of hands-on experience. The airlines may also have their own requirements. There are about 170 aircraft mechanic schools certified by the FAA. 2-year and 4-year degrees in a avionics program, aviation technology, or maintenance management are offered by many of these aircraft mechanic schools. Military training and experience is a great advantage to obtaining one of the positions. FAA regulates experience and refresher courses to keep certification in effect and current. As aircraft mechanics gain experience, they may advance to lead mechanic, inspector or shop supervisor. Positions in the FAA are also attainable. Some aircraft mechanics with management ability may open their own aircraft mechanic business. Those with pilot licenses, which are sometimes necessary for aviation mechanics, may attain pilot positions with an airline.
* Working Conditions:
Working conditions for aircraft inspections and maintenance may vary greatly. Because of their size, many repairs or quick inspections must be made outside, sometimes in inclement weather conditions. If hangers are already filled, outside work may also be required. Physical stamina is necessary as maintenance may have to be performed while standing on ladders and scaffolding. Heavy lifting may be involved as large parts must be removed or shifted to reach affected areas. Aircraft technicians and aircraft mechanics must also work in awkward positions as they crawl into small spaces, kneel, lie or stand under or atop of the craft, and endure noise and vibrations as parts are tested. Forty-hour weeks are the normal, but overtime is not uncommon.
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