Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Sample of reported job titles:
Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Aircraft Maintenance Tech), Aircraft Mechanic, Aircraft Restorer, Aircraft Technician, Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A and P Mechanic), Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT), Aviation Mechanic, Helicopter Mechanic

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

  • Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
  • Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
  • Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
  • Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
  • Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.

Technology Skills

  • Accounting software:DatcoMedia EBis
  • Analytical or scientific software:CaseBank SpotLight
    ,
    Engine analysis software
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software:Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • Data base user interface and query software:Mxi Technologies Maintenix
    ,
    Pentagon 2000SQL
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software:SAP business and customer relations management software
    ,
    Tracware AeroTrac

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

  • Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Documenting/Recording Information:Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials:Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment:Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Align equipment or machinery.
  • Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.
  • Assemble electrical components, subsystems, or systems.
  • Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
  • Communicate with coworkers to coordinate installations or repairs.

Work Context

  • Frequency of Decision Making:75% responded"Every day"
  • Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled:73% responded"Every day"
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results:73% responded"Very important results"
  • Consequence of Error:72% responded"Extremely serious"
  • Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions:67% responded"Once a week or more but not every day"

Worker Requirements

Skills

  • Equipment Maintenance:Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Repairing:Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Operations Monitoring:Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Troubleshooting:Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Complex Problem Solving:Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Knowledge

  • Mechanical:Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Engineering and Technology:Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Customer and Personal Service:Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
  • 60%
    Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
  • 25%
    Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
  • 12%
    High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

  • Control Precision:The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Finger Dexterity:The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Information Ordering:The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Problem Sensitivity:The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Interests

  • Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
  • Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Values

  • Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
  • Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
  • Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
  • Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Persistence:Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
  • Self-Control:Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
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