Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Career Description: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Industry: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Other Job Titles for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• 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, and 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.
• Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools.
• Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, and ammeters.
• Obtain fuel and oil samples and check them for contamination.
• Reassemble engines following repair or inspection and reinstall engines in aircraft.
• Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.
• Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications.
• Install and align repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches.
• Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules.
• Clean, strip, prime, and sand structural surfaces and materials to prepare them for bonding.
• Service and maintain aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities such as flushing crankcases, cleaning screens, and lubricating moving parts.
• Examine engines through specially designed openings while working from ladders or scaffolds, or use hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from an aircraft.
• Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks.
• Inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment.
• Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.
• Remove or cut out defective parts or drill holes to gain access to internal defects or damage, using drills and punches.
• Clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft.
• Communicate with other workers to coordinate fitting and alignment of heavy parts, or to facilitate processing of repair parts.
• Trim and shape replacement body sections to specified sizes and fits and secure sections in place, using adhesives, hand tools, and power tools.
• Clean engines, sediment bulk and screens, and carburetors, adjusting carburetor float levels.
• Prepare and paint aircraft surfaces.
• Spread plastic film over areas to be repaired to prevent damage to surrounding areas.
• Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.
• Disassemble engines and inspect parts, such as turbine blades and cylinders, for corrosion, wear, warping, cracks, and leaks, using precision measuring instruments, x-rays, and magnetic inspection equipment.
• Determine repair limits for engine hot section parts.
• Cure bonded structures, using portable or stationary curing equipment.
• Listen to operating engines to detect and diagnose malfunctions such as sticking or burned valves.
• Accompany aircraft on flights to make in-flight adjustments and corrections.
• Remove, inspect, repair, and install in-flight refueling stores and external fuel tanks.

Emerging Tasks

• n/a

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adhere to safety procedures
• adjust or set mechanical controls or components
• align or adjust clearances of mechanical components or parts
• align or adjust clearances of vehicle body parts or components
• align vehicle frame
• apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
• apply cleaning solvents
• apply filler substances to dents in vehicle bodies
• apply protective coating to products
• assemble, dismantle, or reassemble equipment or machinery
• build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
• climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
• conduct tests to locate mechanical system malfunction
• cut metal or plastic
• determine installation, service, or repair needed
• determine material or tool requirements
• determine project methods and procedures
• diagnose malfunctioning vehicle systems
• diagnose mechanical problems in machinery or equipment
• dismantle or reassemble rigging
• erect scaffold
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• fabricate aircraft parts
• fabricate sheet metal parts or items
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• file, sand, grind, or polish metal or plastic objects
• follow vehicle repair procedures
• identify base metals for welding
• identify properties of metals for repair or fabrication activities
• inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
• laminate objects
• lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
• lubricate machinery, equipment, or parts
• maintain or repair cargo or passenger vehicle
• maintain welding machines or equipment
• make independent judgment in assembly procedures
• move or fit heavy objects
• observe or listen to machinery or equipment operation to detect malfunctions
• operate forklift
• operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
• operate lathes
• operate pneumatic test equipment
• operate sheet metal fabrication machines
• operate vehicle engine electrical system test equipment
• overhaul vehicle major operating units, such as engines or transmissions
• perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
• read blueprints
• read schematics
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• read vehicle manufacturer's specifications
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recognize characteristics of alloys
• recognize characteristics of metals
• repair aircraft ignition or ignition systems
• repair aircraft propulsion systems
• repair commercial transportation equipment
• repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
• repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
• repair sheet metal products
• repair vehicle body parts
• set up and operate variety of machine tools
• solder metal parts or components together
• stretch, bend, straighten, shape, pound, or press metal or plastic
• test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
• test mechanical products or equipment
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use acetylene welding/cutting torch
• use arc welding equipment
• use auto or vehicular body repair equipment
• use aviation electronics
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use electronic calibration devices
• use engine diagnostic equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use knowledge of metric system
• use knowledge of welding filler rod types
• use lifting equipment in vehicle repair setting
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use pneumatic tools
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$23.56
• Average annual wage (2007) - $49,010.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 10.63%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 13,023
• Employment (2006): 122,472

• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
• Automotive Master Mechanics
• Automotive Specialty Technicians
• Elevator Installers and Repairers
• Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
• Farm Equipment Mechanics
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Mechanical Door Repairers
• Rail Car Repairers