Everything to Know About Being an Aviation Maintenance Technician

When you think of mechanics, you usually think of mechanics working on cars.

Think of airplanes for a moment. Flying is usually seen as the safest mode of transportation. That didn’t happen by chance.

Flying is safe thanks to the work of aviation maintenance technicians. These are the mechanics who work on aircraft of all kinds, from military jets to private planes.

Are you interested in becoming an aviation maintenance technician? Read on to find out what it takes to get started in this rewarding career.

What Does an Aviation Maintenance Technician Do?

Working on planes sounds interesting, doesn’t it? There’s a lot more to the job than you realize.

You’re responsible for aircraft maintenance, replacing parts, inspecting planes before they take off, and doing work required by the FAA.

You could be welding parts one minute, and later on, you could be inspecting a turbine engine. You also have to keep a detailed log of all maintenance performed on the aircraft. Your work is primarily on preventing aircraft issues.

How to Become an Aviation Maintenance Technician

There isn’t one typical path to become an aviation mechanic. Some people will get formal training and go to school. Others will get experience in the military.

The most important thing to focus on is to become an FAA-certified technician. You can choose to be an airframe mechanic, powerframe mechanic, or both. You have to be at least 18 years old and read, write, and understand English.

You need some kind of experience and education, too. You have a couple of options available. The first is to graduate from an FAA-approved school. These programs typically offer certification programs that cover every aspect of aviation maintenance.

An alternative to a formal certification program is on-the-job experience. You need to have at least 18 months of training under a mechanic. If you choose to pursue a certification in airframe and powerframe, 30 months of experience is required.

If you have aviation maintenance experience from the military, you can apply this experience to a certification program.

Once you have enough experience and training under your belt, you have to pass a series of exams. The FAA requires oral, written, and practical exams to be FAA certified.

Each exam is about 8 hours, and you have to pass all of these exams within a two-year period.

Start Your New Career as an Aviation Maintenance Technician

The aviation industry has its ups and downs. Even though commercial airlines have financial struggles, a job as an aviation maintenance technician will continue to be in demand.

There are thousands of planes in the air at any time. Government planes, military jets, private planes, and commercial planes all need specialized maintenance. You also can’t forget about air shipments. After all, those e-commerce orders have to be delivered quickly. Your job will always be in demand.

Do you want more tips to further your career? Check out the Education section of this site regularly for more great articles.