Aircraft mechanics are in charge of ensuring that airplanes are flying in top operating condition. They do this in various ways: by conducting inspections as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), doing repairs, and performing scheduled maintenance.
Although they may be sometimes needed to work outdoors, aircraft mechanics usually work in hangars. When analyzing engines, ear protection is needed as a result of noise and vibration. There’s regular lifting of heavy objects when working, and a great deal of volatile or awkward placement needed. Although a forty-hour work week is common, aircraft machinists can often count on weekend work and/or overtime. The occupation may be somewhat nerve-racking because of the higher level of duty to keep the time pressure as well as safety standards and flight programs to fulfill.
Training, Certification, and Licensing
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Due to the high level of obligation from the job, the FAA requires that all aircraft mechanics be certified. In order to become certified, a person needs eighteen months of practical experience with either power plants or airframes; or (to earn a combined certification as both an airframe along with a powerplant mechanic, known as an A&P certificate) thirty months of practical experience working on both simultaneously.
Where To Start with Mechanics and More
Program completion at a mechanic school certified by FAA may be replaced for the work experience requirement. Mechanics also must pass an exam to be certified, which includes a composite of written, verbal, and practical test components. Once certified, mechanics must take at least sixteen hours of training every two years to help keep their certification updated. There are at present hundreds of FAA-certified schools.
Coursework usually lasts from 18 months to two years and also the law requires the schools to offer the absolute minimum of 1,900-course hours to students. Several schools award two-year and four-year degrees in aviation maintenance management, avionics, or aviation technology.
Classes in electronics, physics, chemistry, math, mechanical drawing, and computer science, are helpful because knowledge of the principles taught in these areas is frequently needed seriously to do repairs. A strong foundation in electronics is especially significant.
Courses that develop writing skills will also be valuable because mechanics need to submit reports on the maintenance and repair work they undertake.
Along with the experience and educational requirements, mechanics need to have the ability to read, write and comprehend English so that you can eventually become certified. Those who want to work for an airline also ought to be aware that most airlines require their mechanics to have a high school diploma and an A&P certification.
Aircrafts are always landing and taking off, so it’s extremely important that repair and maintenance be done efficiently and quickly. An excellent aircraft mechanic is fast and understands how to immediately guide his team to change out, as well as replace, plane components to get the aircraft in the air as quickly as possible while ensuring it is safe to fly.