What Do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers Do

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.

Salary
$55510
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.

  • Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
  • Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
  • Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements, using sighting devices and hand tools.
  • Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Aircraft Structure Assemblers clean, oil, or coat system components, as necessary, before assembly or attachment. They clean aircraft structures, parts, or components, using aqueous, semi-aqueous, aliphatic hydrocarbon, or organic solvent cleaning products or techniques to reduce carbon or other harmful emissions.

A typical day for an Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler will also include:

  • Monitor robotic assembly equipment, such as snake-arm robots, used to assemble, seal, or swage aircraft structures.
  • Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
  • Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
  • Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.
  • Capture or segregate waste material, such as aluminum swarf, machine cutting fluid, or solvents, for recycling or environmentally responsible disposal.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Aircraft Structure Assemblers also monitor robotic assembly equipment, such as snake-arm robots, used to assemble, seal, or swage aircraft structures. They may also verify dimensions of cable assemblies or positions of fittings, using measuring instruments.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Aircraft Structure Assemblers install mechanical linkages and actuators, using tensiometers to verify the tension of cables. They might also swage fittings onto cables, using swaging machines.

In addition, the position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them splice cables, using clamps and fittings, or reweave cable strands.

To some Aircraft Structure Assemblers, it is also their responsibility to place and connects control cables to electronically controlled units, using hand tools, ring locks, cotter keys, threaded connectors, turnbuckles, or related devices.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.

Demand for this career is growing.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Salary is below average.

How much do they make

Average salary

$55510 per year

Average hourly wage

$27 per hour

Entry-level Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $33,200 to $40,100 per year or $16 to $19 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $83,530 $40
Senior (Top 25%) $70,890 $34
Median $53,160 $26
Junior (Bottom 25%) $40,100 $19
No experience (Bottom 10%) $33,200 $16

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Scheduled Air Transportation $77530 $37.27
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services $65150 $31.32
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services $63560 $30.56
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing $56390 $27.11
Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing $56050 $26.95
Support Activities for Air Transportation $47620 $22.90
Nonscheduled Air Transportation $32110 $15.44

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing 34250 $56390 $27.11
Support Activities for Air Transportation 1160 $47620 $22.90
Scheduled Air Transportation 230 $77530 $37.27
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services 150 $63560 $30.56
Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing 110 $56050 $26.95
Nonscheduled Air Transportation $32110 $15.44
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services $65150 $31.32

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
9%

40 hours
26%

More than 40 hours
64%

Working schedule

89%

3%

8%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
2%

Every day
14%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
1%

Every day
15%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
19%

Every day
80%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
52%

Once a year
19%

Once a month
17%

Once a week
13%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
25%

Slightly competitive
23%

Moderately competitive
24%

Highly competitive
27%

Extremely competitive
1%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
16%

Once a year or more
9%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
1%

Every day
74%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
40%

Once a year or more
20%

Once a month or more
10%

Once a week or more
10%

Every day
20%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
73%

Once a year or more
12%

Once a month or more
12%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
76%

Once a year or more
13%

Once a month or more
2%

Once a week or more
9%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
3%

High School Diploma or equivalent
55%

Post-Secondary Certificate
16%

Some College Courses
1%

Associate’s Degree or similar
10%

Bachelor’s Degree
16%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all aircraft components other than engines, propellers, avionics, and instruments. Includes instruction in layout and fabrication of sheet metal, fabric, wood, and other materials into structural members, parts, and fittings, and replacement of damaged or worn parts such as control cables and hydraulic units.

Aircraft Powerplant Technology

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all types of aircraft powerplant and related systems. Instruction includes engine inspection and maintenance, lubrication and cooling, electrical and ignition systems, carburetion, fuels and fuel systems, propeller and fan assemblies.

Avionics Maintenance Technology

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all types of aircraft operating, control, and electronic systems. Includes instruction in flight instrumentation, aircraft communications and homing systems, radar and other sensory systems, navigation aids, and specialized systems for various types of civilian and military aircraft.


Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
22%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
18%

1 to 2 years
25%

2 to 4 years
20%

4 to 6 years
4%

6 to 8 years
9%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
2%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
1%

1 to 3 months
43%

3 to 6 months
26%

6 months to 1 year
16%

1 to 2 years
12%

2 to 4 years
2%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
1%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
100%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
24%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
14%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
14%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
29%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
38%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
48%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
55%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
43%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
62%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
95%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
48%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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