Whether you’ve just recently completed the coursework for your high school diploma and are excited (but unsure) about which direction to take toward a rewarding career, or have been in a job for a few years that is just not as satisfying as you had hoped, consider a career in aircraft maintenance.
Here are some interesting facts about this awesome field:
- Aircraft maintenance schools that are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are the best schools to pursue a course of study in this field; by choosing a school with this highly-regarded accreditation, you can be confident that your program of study will be current, correct, and acknowledged by the leading aircraft maintenance facilities in the world.
- There are many different courses of study from which to choose; aircraft mechanics can earn certificates of completion, an associate’s degree, or even a bachelor’s degree.
- Employers that require their aircraft mechanics to come from FAA-approved schools adhere to the same high standards of expected excellence at their facilities as well.
- Graduates from FAA-accredited schools qualify to sit for the esteemed FAA-certification exams; scoring high on these exams add to your credentials and help contribute to making you a viable candidate for an available position.
- While skilled and seasoned aircraft mechanics typically get scheduled to work regular hours during the weekdays – leaving new hires to juggle often-sporadic schedules, this opportunity enables new graduates not only to work alongside different mechanics, but also work on different types of repair projects that are often saved for late-night or weekend shifts.
- Major airports in major cities are the most common and popular places for aircraft mechanics to secure employment.
- While the salary of an aircraft mechanic ranges from about $35,000 for new graduates to upwards of $78,000 to experienced mechanics, the median salary is around $55,210.
- After working for several years as an aircraft mechanic and honing one’s skills and confidence, many aircraft mechanics explore opportunities with owners of a private aircraft fleet or businesses with their own corporate planes.
- There are 170 FAA-approved schools to train aircraft mechanics.
- The top aircraft maintenance schools not only are approved by the FAA, but also include computer technology coursework in their programs since 21st century aircraft are becoming more technology-oriented than ever before.
- Available jobs and job openings per year level out at 4,520 according to 2012 reports.
- According to a 2012 report, 119,160 jobs in America are specifically related to aircraft maintenance and mechanics.
- The field of aircraft maintenance continues to grow every day. In 2010, there were nearly 50 million airplane departures; that’s a lot of planes that need to be maintained!
- It is estimated that by 2015, the number of departures will be at 100 million.
- Of the thousands of career choices, aircraft maintenance consistently places in the top 20 career lists by popular websites like MonsterJobs, Yahoo! Jobs, and Forbes.
- Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians typically work in airfields, hangars, repair stations.
- Aircraft mechanics must be detailed-oriented and able to meet strict deadlines in order not to cause any downtime in flight schedules.
- Job prospects for aircraft mechanics who earned an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate are higher than those who don’t.
- Knowledge of composite materials, cutting-edge technology, and digital systems will add to an aircraft mechanic’s credentials.
- The profession of aircraft maintenance is highly-respected; since so many lives are at stake regarding aircraft ~ from pilots and staff to passengers and the general public, it is a role that demands precision, professionalism, and accuracy at every step of the aircraft repair process – 24/7; there is never any room for error.
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