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While AvjobsWeekly will soon cover specific
aspects of aircraft maintenance, we wanted
to provide you with an overview of a career
as an aircraft maintenance technician. To
keep aircraft in peak operating condition,
aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics
and service technicians perform scheduled
maintenance; make repairs, and complete
inspections required by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA). Some mechanics work
on one or many different types of aircraft,
such as jets, propeller-driven airplanes,
and helicopters. Others specialize in one
section of a particular type of aircraft,
such as the engine, hydraulics, or electrical
system. Airframe mechanics are authorized
to work on any part of the aircraft except
the instruments, power plants, and propellers.
Powerplant mechanics are authorized to work
on engines and do limited work on propellers.
Combination airframe-and-powerplant mechanics
Called A&P mechanics Work on all parts
of the plane except the instruments. Most
mechanics working on civilian aircraft today
are A&P mechanics. In small, independent
repair shops, mechanics usually inspect
and repair many different types of aircraft.
Avionics technicians repair and maintain
components used for aircraft navigation
and radio communications, weather radar
systems, and other instruments and computers
that control flight, engine, and other primary
functions. These duties may require additional
licenses, such as a radiotelephone license
issued by the U.S. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC). Because of the increasing
use of technology, more time is spent repairing
electronic systems, such as computerized
controls.
Many aircraft mechanics specialize in
preventive maintenance. They inspect aircraft
engines, landing gear, instruments, pressurized
sections, accessories and other parts of
the aircraft. They do the necessary maintenance
and replacement of parts. Technicians also
maintain records related to the maintenance
performed on the aircraft. Mechanics and
technicians conduct inspections following
a schedule based on the number of hours
the aircraft has flown, calendar days since
the last inspection, cycles of operation,
or a combination of these factors.
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Finding Solutions
In large, sophisticated planes equipped
with aircraft monitoring systems, mechanics
can gather valuable diagnostic information
from onboard computers that monitor the
aircraft's basic operations. Aircraft mechanics
also examine engines by working through
specially designed openings while standing
on ladders or scaffolds or by using hoists
or lifts to remove the entire engine from
the craft. After taking an engine apart,
mechanics use precision instruments to measure
parts for wear and use x-ray and magnetic
inspection equipment to check for invisible
cracks. They repair or replace worn or defective
parts. Mechanics also may repair sheet metal
or composite surfaces; measure the tension
of control cables; and check for corrosion,
distortion, and cracks in the fuselage,
wings, and tail. After completing all repairs,
they must test the equipment to ensure that
it works properly.Mechanics specializing
in repair work rely on the pilot's description
of a problem to find and fix faulty equipment.
For example, during a preflight check, a
pilot may discover that the aircraft's fuel
gauge does not work. To solve the problem,
mechanics may troubleshoot the electrical
system, using electrical test equipment
to make sure that no wires are broken or
shorted out, and replace any defective electrical
or electronic components. Mechanics work
as fast as safety permits so that the aircraft
can be put back into service quickly.
Work Conditions/Training
The work requires constant exposure to outdoor
conditions and loud jet engines, resulting
in high turnover. Most work is performed
outside in all types of weather, and ear
plugs are usually necessary because of aircraft
engine noise. Those aspiring to be an Aircraft
Maintenance Technician need to complete
rigorous
technical training in Airframe and Powerplant
technologies or at least 30 months of
experience. Once the training is completed,
the trainee then takes and passes an FAA
oral and written exam. Upon successful completion
of the FAA exams, the recipient is awards
a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
certificate.
A Day In
The Life
Cargo flights also need ground handling
and our video partner provides
us with a video look at technicians in action
at an aircraft maintenance facility that
caters to small to medium sized commercial
jets. Watch the team in action on a Boeing
737. Read more about
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians at
www.avjobs.com
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