There is a changing landscape for Aviation Mechanics. The most pressing is the changing nature of the job due to the advances in technology.
To fix the primary issue of changing technology – the best solution is a quality education for a technician trained to perform pre-flight maintenance and general inspections and repairs for private and commercial airplanes.
Specific Approaches to Fixing Aviation Mechanic Challenges
Today the FAA certifies aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians. By viewing Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 65, subpart D and E, you can find updated requirements to become a certified mechanic.
Aircraft mechanics also need service technicians to enter the field. This group needs to attend a Part 147 FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School.
The program will award a certificate of completion. This is recognized by the FAA. It is seen as an alternate to the experience and other requirements cited in the regulations. It also grants holders the ability to take other relevant FAA exams.
How To Enter The Field
Many of today’s aircraft mechanics or service technicians enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent. They typically receive on-the-job training to better-learn their skills. This makes it possible to pass the FAA exams.
Other mechanics and technicians enter the occupation after getting trained through the military. Aviation maintenance personnel not certified by the FAA require supervision until enough experience and knowledge is gathered to become certified.
Most avionics technicians have an associate’s degree for starters. Aircraft systems and controls, as well as flight instruments are steadily becoming more digitized and computerized.
Maintenance workers with proper backgrounds for aviation flight instruments and computer repair are part of the needed fix when talent is required to uphold these complex systems.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians need credentials to improve their wage scales and employment security. FAA requirements mandate that aircraft maintenance be performed by or under the supervision of a certified mechanic.
Separate certifications are easily available for body work as well as engine work. Most employers want to hire mechanics with both Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings.
To qualify for the A and P ratings, mechanics need to be 18 or older, be English fluent, as well as having a full 30 months of experience. Completing a program at a Part 147 FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School substitutes for this experience.
Technician certification takes place through a repair station. The Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) program provides certification through the National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies.
Any avionics technician who wants to work on communications equipment needs the proper radio-telephone operator certification. This is issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
What Does an Aircraft Mechanic’s Salary Look Like?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational and Employment Wages Webpage has published the average Aircraft Mechanics median wage as $55,210.00 as of May 2012.
The top 10 percent of Aircraft Mechanics earned more than $76,660.00 and the bottom 10 percent earned just a little less than $35,190.00.
Employment Projections
The employment projections for aircraft and avionics mechanics and technicians have been showing little or no change expected to continue from 2012 to 2022. Air traffic is expected to gradually increase over the coming decade.
However, new aircraft are generally expected to require less maintenance than older aircraft – hence the technological issues emerging that need to be fixed by an increase in aviation mechanics and technicians getting deeper training and certification.
For more information about a career in the aircraft mechanic field, or to speak with an admissions representative and apply for aviation career training, contact the Aviation Institute of Maintenance today by visiting our Aircraft Mechanic School Programs Webpage. You can also learn more about the Aviation Institute of Maintenance at our Consumer Information Disclosure page, Your right to know.
DISCLAIMER – Aviation Institute of Maintenance makes no claim, warranty or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students and graduates of any career training program we offer. The Aviation Institute of Maintenance website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained within; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content. The printed Aviation Institute of Maintenance catalog remains the official publication of Aviation Institute of Maintenance. The Aviation Institute of Maintenance website links to other websites outside the aviationmaintenance.edu domain. These links are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Aviation Institute of Maintenance exercises no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, information that resides on servers outside the aviationmaintenance.edu domain.