Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians

realistic interests repair conduct inspection aircraft maintenance specifications malfunctioning equipment system proper functioning

Aircraft Mechanic, Aircraft Technician, Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A and P Mechanic), Aviation Mechanic

Where in the military? Select a military branch to see samples.
Advanced Fighter Aircraft Integrated Avionics; Airborne Mission Systems Specialist Apprentice; Airborne Mission Systems Specialist Superintendent; Aircraft Hydraulic Systems; Airlift/Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice; Bomber/Special Electronic Warfare and Radar Surveillance Integrated Avionics Helper, VC-25; Fighter Aircraft Integrated Avionics Helper, F-15 Avionics; Missile And Space Systems Electronic Maintenance Helper, ICBM; Mobility Air Forces Integrated Instrument and Flight Control Systems Helper, KC-135; Remotely Piloted Aircraft Maintenance Journeyman, MQ-1/MQ-9
AH-64 Armament/Electrical/Avionics Systems Repairer; Aircraft Components Repair Supervisor; Aircraft Powerplant Repairer; Armament/Electrical/Avionics Repair Supervisor; Aviation Officer; Avionic and Survivability Equipment Repairer; Cannon Crewmember; Combat Medic Specialist; MQ-1 Repairer; UH-60 Helicopter Repairer
Airman; Aviation Engineering Specialty; Aviation Maintenance Technician; Aviation Survival Technician; Avionics Electrical Technician
Additive Manufacturing Officer; Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Radar Systems Technician, F/A-18; Aircraft Maintenance (Rotary-Wing); Aviation Electronic Micro/miniature Component and Cable Repair Technician, IMA; Communication/Navigation/Cryptographic/Countermeasures Systems Technician, IMA; Fixed-Wing Aircraft Flight Engineer, KC-130; Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, F-404; Fixed-Wing Transport Aircraft Specialist, C-20; Helicopter Power Plants Mechanic, T-400/T-700; Reconfigurable Transportable Consolidated Automated Support System (RTCASS) Technician, IMA
Advanced Composite Structural Repair IMA Technician; Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance/Material Control Officer; Aviation Electrician's Mate Organizational Level Technician; Aviation Structural Mechanic; C-40 Systems Organizational Maintenance Technician Journeyman/Collateral Duty Inspector; E-2C Group II Systems Organizational Career Maintenance Technician; F-404 Turbofan Jet Engine First Degree/IMA Mechanic; MH-53 Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) Aircrewman; MQ-8C Organizational Maintenance Mechanic; P-8A Aircraft Systems Organizational Career Maintenance Technician
; Aerospace Propulsion Helper, Turboprop andTurboshaft Propulsion (helicopter, propeller, tiltrotor aircraft); Aircraft Fuel Systems Journeyman; Aircrew Egress Systems Helper; Airlift/Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance Helper, C-20/C-21/C-22/C-37/C-40/E-4/VC-25; Helicopter/Tiltrotor Aircraft Maintenance Helper; Refuel/Bomber Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice, Any C-135/E-3/E-8; Refuel/Bomber Aircraft Maintenance Helper, B-52; Remotely Piloted Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice, MQ-1/MQ-9; Tactical Aircraft Maintenance (5th Generation) Craftsman
What they do:
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
On the job, you would:
  • Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
  • Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
  • Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical
  • product and service development

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Business

  • customer service

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Skills

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Technical

  • planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment
  • repairing machines or systems using the right tools

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use

  • put together small parts with your fingers
  • hold or move items with your hands

Verbal

  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by speaking

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Persistence
  • Self Control
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • SAP software Hot Technology
  • Tracware AeroTrac

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Facilities management software

  • Maintenance planning software
  • Maintenance record software

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
certificate after high school or
associate's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
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