Aircraft maintenance technician

Aircraft maintenance technicians perform preventive maintenance to aircrafts, aircraft components, engines and assemblies, such as airframes and hydraulic and pneumatic systems. They perform inspections following strict protocols and aviation laws.

Excludes people performing maintenance and repair of navigation and communication systems.

Aircraft maintenance technician typically do the following:

• Understand and interpret service bulletins, maintenance manuals and other specifications to ascertain the feasibility and techniques of replacing or repairing faulty or damaged components
• Examine finished work to guarantee that maintenance work attains standards and that aircrafts are prepared for operations
• Take care of repair logs and document all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance activities
• Organize conventional and special examinations as necessitated by standard regulations
• Look out for invisible cracks in fuselage, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, rigging, gaskets, electrical systems, seals, and distortions.

Aircraft maintenance technicians work in hangars, in repair stations, or on airfields. They must meet strict deadlines while following safety standards.

Most of these technicians work near major airports. They may work outside on the airfield, or in climate-controlled shops and hangars. Some of them work on military installations.

Aircraft maintenance technicians often lift heavy objects, handle dangerous chemicals, or operate large power tools. They may work on scaffolds or ladders, and noise and vibrations are common, especially when engines are being tested. Workers must take precautions against injuries, such as wearing ear protection and brightly colored vests to ensure that they are seen when working around large aircraft.

Aircraft maintenance technicians usually work full time on rotating 8-hour shifts. Overtime and weekend work are common.

The following job titles also refer to aircraft maintenance technician:

avionics line inspector
aeroplane preventative maintenance technician
airworthiness technician
cabin mechanic
aviation maintenance technician
aeroplane systems maintenance technician
aircraft systems maintenance technician
aircraft instrument operator
aeroplane technician
aircraft engineer
avionics instrument inspector
aviation line inspector
avionics mechanical technician
aviation instrument inspector
aircraft technician
aircraft preventative maintenance technician
aircraft instrument operative

Some aircraft maintenance technicians enter the occupation with a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training to learn their skills. Aviation maintenance personnel who are not certified by regulation authorities such as the FAA, EASA, or similar bodies work under supervision until they have enough experience and knowledge and become certified.

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 technician is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

aircraft engine specialist
avionics technician
aircraft de-icer installer
aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician
aircraft assembly inspector

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of aircraft maintenance technician. 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 technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aircraft maintenance engineer
avionics inspector
aircraft engine tester
aircraft engine inspector
rolling stock engine tester

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

• Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
• Electromechanics: The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
• Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
• Aircraft mechanics: Technicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repairs in aircrafts.
• Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
• Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
• Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
• Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
• Airport safety regulations: Know airport safety regulations and instructions.
• Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
• Electrical wiring plans: Pictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the relative position and arrangement of devices and terminals on the devices, to help in building or servicing the device. A wiring diagram is often used to troubleshoot problems and to make sure that all the connections have been made and that everything is present.
• Common aviation safety regulations: The body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels. Understand that regulations aimed at protecting citizens at all times in civil aviation; ensure that operators, citizens, and organisations comply with these rules.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
• Engine components: Know the different engine components, and their operation and maintenance. Understand when repairs and replacement should be undertaken.

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

• Repair engines: Repair identified problems with internal combustion engines, external combustion engines and electrical motors. Replace and fix faulty parts by using hand and machine tools.
• Assemble electrical components: Assemble switches, electrical controls, circuit boards and other electrical components by using hand and soldering equipment.
• Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
• Install electrical and electronic equipment: Install equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes switchboards, electric motors, generators or direct current systems.
• Use power tools: Operate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Ensure compliance with airport security measures: Ensure compliance with airport security measures prior to the boarding of planes.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Read engineering drawings: Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
• Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
• Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
• Disassemble engines: Disassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.
• Evaluate engine performance: Read and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.
• Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.
• Follow manufacturer guidelines in use of airport equipment: Follow advice provided by manufacturers on the use and maintenance of the different vehicles, equipment, and instruments used in airports. Establish communication processes with manufacturers and understand all the mechanical, electrical, and preventive, actions needed to utilise equipment effectively.

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

• Aircraft flight control systems: Know the setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems. Manage flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction of an aircraft. Operate aircraft engine controls in order to change aircraft speed.
• Electrical systems used in transportation: Understand the functioning of electrical systems, their specifications, and application in operations and systems for the transportation of freight and people.

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

• Inspect aircraft for airworthiness: Inspect aircraft, aircraft components, and aviation equipment to ensure they conform to design specifications and to airworthiness standards following major repairs or alterations. Approve or deny issuance of airworthiness certificates.
• Operate precision measuring equipment: Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.
• Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
• 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.
• Test electronic units: Test electronic units using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
• Conduct performance tests: Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.

7232 – Aircraft engine mechanics and repairers

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References

1. Aircraft maintenance technician – ESCO
2. Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Featured image: By Peter F.A. van de Noort – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0