Aircraft Mechanic Paid Training - About 13,100 openings for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Mechanics must be at least 18 years of age, be fluent in English, and have 30 months of experience to qualify for either the A or the P rating or both (the A&P rating). Completion of a program at a Part 147 FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school can substitute for the experience requirement and shorten the time requirements for becoming eligible to take the FAA exams.
Aircraft Mechanic Paid Training
The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within each occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation.
Injuries And Illnesses
It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agricultural workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.
Some aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians learn their trade at an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved aviation maintenance technician school. Others are trained on the job or learn through training in the military. Aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians are typically certified by the FAA.
(See Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), part 65, subparts D and E, for the most current requirements for becoming a certified mechanic.) Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians often lift heavy objects, handle dangerous chemicals, or operate large power tools.
They may work on scaffolds or ladders, and noise and vibrations are common, especially when engines are being tested. Workers must take precautions against injuries, such as wearing ear protection and brightly colored vests to ensure that they are seen when working around large aircraft.
Projections Central
Most of these mechanics and technicians work near major airports. They may work outside on the airfield, or in climate-controlled shops and hangars. Civilian aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians employed by the U.S. Armed forces work on military installations.
Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared between states or to be compared within one state.
In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state's websites where these data may be retrieved. "I started in the aircraft mechanic apprenticeship program and have been with Hawaiian Airlines for the past five years.
It has been a great opportunity to be a part of the Avionics shop; gaining new experience and improving my skills while being faced with new challenges every day. I receive help from the best mentors, who are passing down their knowledge and skills.
Work Environment
The best part of working here at Hawaiian is that I can take advantage of the travel benefits; enjoy the great destinations we offer and still return home to Hawaii.” It is an excellent way for anyone who wants to get started or launch their second career in the aviation industry - all while getting paid to do so.
This program supports new Apprentice Technicians through their first 18 to 24 months on the job, at which time they have the option to become a certified mechanic upon completion. Avionics technicians are specialists who repair and maintain a plane's electronic instruments, such as radio communication devices and equipment, radar systems, and navigation aids.
As the use of digital technology increases, more time is spent maintaining computer systems. The ability to repair and maintain many avionics and flight instrument systems is granted through the Airframe rating, but other licenses or certifications may be needed as well.
Many mechanics are generalists and work on many different types of aircraft, such as jets, piston-driven airplanes, and helicopters. Others specialize in one section, such as the engine, hydraulic system, or electrical system, of a particular type of aircraft.
Work Experience In A Related Occupation
In independent repair shops, mechanics usually inspect and repair many types of aircraft. Some aircraft mechanics and service technicians enter the occupation with a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training to learn their skills and to be able to pass the FAA exams.
Aviation maintenance personnel who are not certified by the FAA work under supervision until they have enough experience and knowledge and become certified. Maintenance schedules for aircraft may be based on hours flown, days since the last inspection, trips flown, or a combination of these factors.
Maintenance also may need to be done at other times to address specific issues recognized by mechanics or manufacturers. The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked.
It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.
Contacts For More Information
Avionics technicians are typically certified through a repair station for the specific work they perform on aircraft, or they hold the Airframe rating to work on an aircraft's electronic and flight instrument systems. An Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certification is available through the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
It certifies that aviation mechanics have a basic level of knowledge in the subject area, but it is not required by the FAA for any specific tasks. Avionics technicians who work on communications equipment may need to have the proper radiotelephone operator certification issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Some avionics technicians begin their careers as aircraft mechanics and service technicians. As aircraft mechanics and service technicians gain experience, they may attend classes or otherwise choose to pursue additional certifications that grant privileges to work on specialized flight instruments.
Eventually, they may become avionics technicians who work exclusively on flight instruments. Avionics technicians typically earn an associate's degree before entering the occupation. Aircraft controls, systems, and flight instruments have become increasingly digital and computerized. Workers who have the proper background in aviation flight instruments or computer repair are needed to maintain these complex systems.
State Area Data
CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area.
There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. The FAA offers separate certifications for bodywork (Airframe mechanics, or "A") and engine work (Powerplant mechanics, or "P"), but employers may prefer to hire mechanics who have both Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings.
The A&P ratings generally certify that aviation mechanics meet basic knowledge and ability standards. "Ever since I was little, I was fascinated by planes and wanted to know how they work. I started working at Hawaiian Airlines in 1989 when I was only 20 years old, and it has been my dream job.
As an Aircraft Mechanic, I have learned so much from being on the flight line, doing heavy checks, and in the interior shop. I always tell the new members of our team that this is a company where you can have a great career and become a skilled mechanic.”
How To Become One
Mechanics use precision instruments to measure wear and identify defects. They may use x rays or magnetic or ultrasonic inspection equipment to discover cracks that cannot be seen on a plane's exterior. They check for corrosion, distortion, and cracks in the aircraft's main body, wings, and tail.
They then repair the metal, fabric, wood, or composite materials that make up the airframe and skin. Airplanes require reliable parts and maintenance in order to fly safely. To keep an airplane in operating condition, aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians perform scheduled maintenance, make repairs, and complete inspections.
They must follow detailed regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that dictate maintenance schedules for different operations. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians typically enter the occupation after attending a Part 147 FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school.
These schools award a certificate of completion that the FAA recognizes as an alternative to the experience requirements stated in regulations. The schools also grant holders the right to take the relevant FAA exams. The Inspection Authorization (IA) is available to mechanics who have had their A&P ratings for at least 3 years and meet other requirements.
What They Do
These mechanics are able to review and approve many major repairs and alterations. Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanics are certified generalist mechanics who can independently perform many maintenance and alteration tasks on aircraft. A&P mechanics repair and maintain most parts of an aircraft, including the engines, landing gear, brakes, and air-conditioning system.
Some specialized activities require additional experience and certification. The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
An AMTS (also known as a "147 School") is an educational facility certified by the FAA in accordance with 14 CFR part 147. These schools train prospective aircraft mechanics for careers in the airline industry, aviation maintenance facilities, and commercial and general aviation
(GA). An AMTS may offer Airframe and/or Powerplant courses, along with Avionics courses, which cover electronics and instrumentation. The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.
Median Pay
The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.
Repairmen certificate holders may or may not have the A&P certificate or other certificates. Repairmen certificates are issued by certified repair stations to aviation maintenance personnel, and the certificates allow them to do specific duties. Repairmen certificates are valid only while the mechanic works at the issuing repair center and are not transferable to other employers.
The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.
The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2021, the median annual wage for all workers was $45,760.
Documentary Evidence
"As a Lead Aircraft Mechanic, I ensure our aircraft departs on time and that our mechanics are up to date on training. Compared to other airlines, I've found that Hawaiian Airlines has a unique culture. It taught me to be humble and to learn from others.
I have a deep level of trust in all my mechanics. We all depend on each other because we all have different strengths. Working at Hawaiian Airlines allows me to work and grow alongside teammates who have become some of my closest friends.
This is my dream job.” About 13,100 openings for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The FAA may give you credit for your practical experience after an ASI has reviewed your documentary evidence. Your documentary evidence must show that you meet the time requirements (18 or 30 months, as applicable) and during that time you gained actual experience with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining,
Occupational Employment And Wage Statistics Oews
or altering airframes or powerplants, appropriate to the rating sought. The more documentary evidence you provide to the ASI, the better. (Please be advised that practical experience means actually performing maintenance. Time spent in training cannot be accepted for either the time or experience determination made by the FAA.)
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