What Do Aircraft Mechanics Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Aircraft Mechanics

Aircraft Mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Salary
$69040
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Post-secondary certificate
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth
Low

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Aircraft Mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Includes helicopter and aircraft engine specialists. They also examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.

Other tasks include:

  • Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
  • Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
  • Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
  • Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
  • Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications.
  • Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.

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

Job satisfaction

52%

How meaningful is this job

36%


52% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 36% 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 Mechanics inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment. They read and interpret pilots’ descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.

A typical day for an Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician will also include:

  • Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
  • Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.
  • Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.
  • Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
  • Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.

We asked some Aircraft Mechanics 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? 46% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 38% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 44% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 8% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 0% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 75% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Aircraft Mechanics also measure the tension of control cables. They may also clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Aircraft Mechanics Disassemble engines and inspect parts, such as turbine blades or cylinders, for corrosion, wear, warping, cracks, and leaks, using precision measuring instruments, x-rays, and magnetic inspection equipment. They might also Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment, such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, or ammeters.

In addition, they Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules.

To some Aircraft Mechanics, it is also their responsibility to Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications.


Working life

Working hours

Standard 40 hour work week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Do Aircraft Mechanics work in an office-style work environment?

Once a week
32%


Never
30%


Do Aircraft Mechanics work outdoors?

Once a week
49%


Once a month
19%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Builders and The Organizers

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.



Learn more about Aircraft Mechanics

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Related to Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians Job Description

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Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm
http://www.amfanational.org/
http://www.faa.gov/
http://pama.org/


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