What Do Aircraft Structure Assemblers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Aircraft Structure 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. They also assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Join structural assemblies, such as wings, tails, or fuselage.
• Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
• Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.

We asked Aircraft Structure Assemblers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

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.

We asked some Aircraft Structure Assemblers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	15% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	27% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	80% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	7% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	34% said yes

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 tension of cables. They might also Swage fittings onto cables, using swaging machines.

In addition, they 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 connect control cables to electronically controlled units, using hand tools, ring locks, cotter keys, threaded connectors, turnbuckles, or related devices.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assembler, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends 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.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/production/assemblers-and-fabricators.htm

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http://www.ipc.org/