What You'll Do

  • 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.
  • Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.
  • Maintain, repair, and rebuild aircraft structures, functional components, and parts, such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, or seals.
  • Measure the tension of control cables.
  • Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
  • Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.

Essential Skills

Equipment Maintenance 4.88/5
Repairing 4.88/5
Troubleshooting 4.5/5
Operations Monitoring 4.25/5
Reading Comprehension 4.12/5
Critical Thinking 4.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.88/5
Operation and Control 3.75/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.75/5
Monitoring 3.62/5
Active Listening 3.5/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.5/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Integrity, Dependability, Cooperation, Adaptability/Flexibility

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Problem Sensitivity 4.5/5
Written Comprehension 4.12/5
Near Vision 4.12/5
Information Ordering 4.0/5
Manual Dexterity 4.0/5
Finger Dexterity 4.0/5
Control Precision 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

Access Software AIRPAX CaseBank SpotLight Computer aided manufacturing CAM software Computerized aircraft log manager CALM DatcoMedia EBis Disassembler software Engine analysis software Maintenance information databases Maintenance planning software Maintenance record software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Mxi Technologies Maintenix Operating system software Operational Data Store ODS software Pentagon 2000SQL

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.93/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.52/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.38/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.21/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 4.18/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mechanic Aircraft AC Mechanic (Aircraft Air Conditioning Mechanic) Aircraft Accessories Mechanic Aircraft Avionics Technician (Aircraft Avionics Tech) Aircraft Body and Bonded Structure Repairer Aircraft Cylinder Mechanic Aircraft Electrician Aircraft Engine Mechanic Aircraft Engine Specialist Aircraft Engine Technician (Aircraft Engine Tech) Aircraft Equipment Repairer Aircraft Magneto Mechanic Aircraft Maintainer Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Aircraft Maintenance Tech) Aircraft Mechanic Aircraft Motor Mechanic Aircraft Pneudraulics Repairer Aircraft Powertrain Repairer Aircraft Restorer Aircraft Rigging and Controls Mechanic Aircraft Service Technician (Aircraft Service Tech) Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic Aircraft Steel Fabricator Aircraft Structural Repairer Aircraft Structures Mechanic Aircraft Technician (Aircraft Tech) Aircraft Worker Aircraft X-Ray Examiner (Aircraft X-Radiation Examiner) Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A and P Mechanic) Airframe and Powerplant Technician (A and P Tech) Airframe Mechanic Airframe Technician (Airframe Tech) Airline Mechanic Airplane Mechanic Airplane Rigger Airplane Technician (Airplane Tech) Airplane Tester Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Aviation Mechanic Aviation Support Equipment Repairer Carburetor Expert Carburetor Specialist Dinkey Engine Mechanic Engine Installer Engineman Experimental Aircraft Mechanic Experimental Rocketsled Mechanic FAA Certified Powerplant Mechanic (Federal Aviation Administration Certified Powerplant Mechanic) Flight Test Mechanic Flight Test Shop Mechanic Fuel System Maintenance Worker GSE Tech (Ground Support Equipment Technician) Heat and Vent Aircraft Mechanic Helicopter Engine Mechanic Helicopter Mechanic Helicopter Repairer Hydraulic Mechanic Ignition Mechanic Jet Aircraft Servicer Jet Engine Mechanic Jet Mechanic Landing Gear Mechanic Launching Pad Mechanic Magneto Electrician Mechanical Developer Prover Missile Mechanic Pneudraulic Systems Mechanic Powerplant Mechanic Preflight Mechanic Propeller Mechanic Propeller-Driven Airplane Mechanic Rocket Engine Component Mechanic Rocket Engine Mechanic Rotor Blade Installer Structures Mechanic Supercharger Mechanic Utility Helicopter Repairer Vacuum System Tester