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Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians

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

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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
Facilities management software
  • Maintenance planning software
  • Maintenance record software
Analytical or scientific software
  • CaseBank SpotLight
  • Engine analysis 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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Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$65,380
$38,270
$98,590
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about aircraft mechanics and service technicians.