Aircraft maintenance coordinator

Aircraft maintenance coordinators plan, schedule, and manage the preparation and maintenance works in the hangars and workshops. They communicate with higher level managers in order to prepare the necessary resources for smooth and efficient operations in airports.

The duties of an aircraft maintenance coordinator include, but are not limited to:

• Designing repair methods and techniques based on engineering knowledge and experience with industry standards
• Coordinating with maintenance crews to ensure that they have the necessary tools and parts on hand to complete tasks in a timely manner
• Coordinating with suppliers to ensure that they can supply the necessary parts at a reasonable cost and within a specified time frame
• Reviewing maintenance records to identify recurring problems, patterns of neglect, or other issues that could lead to equipment failure or other safety concerns
• Ensuring that records are kept of all maintenance tasks, including the details of each task performed, the person who performed it, and the date it was completed
• Coordinating with management to ensure that the budget for maintenance activities does not exceed available funds
• Recommending repairs and new equipment when appropriate to improve efficiency or safety
• Scheduling maintenance activities based on aircraft usage patterns to minimize costs and ensure efficiency
• Maintaining safety standards by ensuring that all repairs are performed using approved materials and methods and that all safety procedures are followed during all stages of repair work.

The aircraft maintenance coordinator works in an office environment, usually in close proximity to the hangar where the aircraft is stored. The work can be physically demanding at times, as the planner may need to climb ladders or work in confined spaces. The work can also be stressful, as the coordinator must plan the work of many people and make sure that all the necessary parts and supplies are available when they are needed.

The aircraft maintenance coordinator typically works a standard 40-hour week, but may need to work overtime during busy periods.

The following job titles also refer to aircraft maintenance coordinator:

helicopter maintenance coordinator
military aircraft maintenance manager
aviation maintenance coordinator
plane maintenance manager
aeroplane maintenance coordinator
coordinator of aircraft maintenance
plane maintenance coordinator
aircraft maintenance planning officer
jet aircraft maintenance coordinator
airplane maintenance coordinator
light aircraft maintenance manager
military aircraft maintenance coordinator
rotary aircraft maintenance manager
aircraft maintenance scheduler
rotary aircraft maintenance coordinator
light aircraft maintenance coordinator
helicopter maintenance manager
aviation maintenance planning officer
civilian aircraft maintenance coordinator
piston aircraft maintenance manager
aviation maintenance scheduler
airplane maintenance manager
civilian aircraft maintenance manager
piston aircraft maintenance coordinator
jet aircraft maintenance manager
aeroplane maintenance manager

Most employers require aircraft maintenance planners to have at least a high school diploma. Some employers prefer candidates who have completed some college coursework in aviation or engineering.

Aircraft maintenance coordinators typically receive on-the-job training in their new roles. This training may last for a few months and may include shadowing an experienced planner or supervisor. The training may also include learning the company’s specific policies and procedures.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Aircraft maintenance coordinator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to aircraft maintenance coordinator.

aircraft engine specialist
aircraft fuel system operator
aircraft cargo operations coordinator
aircraft maintenance technician
airport security officer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of aircraft maintenance coordinator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of aircraft maintenance coordinator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aviation safety officer
aircraft maintenance engineer
airport maintenance technician
aviation inspector
fire safety tester

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of aircraft maintenance coordinator.

• Airport planning: Know airport planning for different types of aircrafts; use that information to mobilise resources and people in order to handle the aircrafts while they are in the airport.
• Visual aid systems in airports: Know the correct use of visual aid systems in airports, the aim of which is to facilitate the safe operation of aircraft.
• Airport safety regulations: Know airport safety regulations and instructions.

These skills are necessary for the role of aircraft maintenance coordinator.

• Manage human resources: Conduct employee recruitment, helping employees to develop their personal and organisational skills, knowledge, and competencies as well as providing feedback and performance appraisals. It includes motivating employees, by implementing rewarding systems (managing pay and benefit systems) in order to maximise employee performance with regard to employer’s strategic objectives.
• Report airport security incidents: Compose comprehensive reports on airport security incidents, such as the detaining of unruly travellers, confiscation of luggage items, or damaging of airport property.
• Analyse the need for technical resources: Define and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.
• Detect bottlenecks: Identify bottlenecks in the supply chain.
• Identify airport safety hazards: Spot threats related to security at the airport and apply procedures to counteract them in a quick, safe, and efficient way.
• Use computerised maintenance management systems: Use computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) in order to facilitate effective follow up of the work undertaken in maintenance facilities.
• Apply airport standards and regulations: Know and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.
• Manage airport workshops: Manage airport workshops to organise operations and ensure completion of all necessary tasks. Prepare maintenance activities according to the requirements and needs of the airport.
• Determine maintenance schedules for airport equipment: Determine maintenance schedules for the equipment and vehicles used in the airport. Consider different criteria in order to plan maintenance activities. Ensure availability of vehicles and equipment at all times.
• Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
• Manage airport development resources: Direct allocated resources for the design and further development of airport property and facilities; control the costs, quality and timeliness of important projects for airport improvement.
• Perform resource planning: Estimate the expected input in terms of time, human and financial resources necessary to achieve the project objectives.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aircraft maintenance coordinator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Quality assurance procedures: The procedures to inspect a product or system to ensure that it is according to specifications and requirements.
• Aircraft cargo capacity: Know the aircraft specifications and characteristics in order to organise and assess cargo loading capacities.
• Aircraft mechanics: Technicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repairs in aircrafts.
• Aviation standards and recommended practices: Know the official Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of ICAO, designed to assist in the management of aviation safety risks in order to reduce the number of aviation accidents and incidents.
• Financial capability: Financial operations such as calculations, cost estimations, budget management taking relevant commercial and statistical data into account such as data for materials, supplies and manpower.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aircraft maintenance coordinator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Perform risk analysis: Identify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation’s functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.
• Ensure data protection in aviation operations: Ensure that sensitive information is protected and used only for safety-related purposes in aviation.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Follow industry codes of practice for aviation safety;: Follows industry codes of practice relating to aviation safety. Follow guidance material to adhere to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Standards (ICAO), other aviation safety requirements, and the identified best practices.
• Make numerical calculations: Work with numbers and perform complex calculations. An understanding of the basics of maths is crucial.

7232 – Aircraft engine mechanics and repairers

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References

1. Aircraft maintenance coordinator – ESCO
2. Aircraft Maintenance Planner Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder