Aircraft Mechanic

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Interpret blueprints, specifications, or diagrams to inform installation, development or operation activities.
• Read technical information needed to perform maintenance or repairs.
• Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
• Maintain repair or maintenance records.
• Inspect completed work to ensure proper functioning.
• Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
• Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear.
• Inspect structural components of vehicles to identify problems.
• Test fluids to identify contamination or other problems.
• Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.

Typical Working Conditions

• Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
• Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
• Frequent decision-making.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Having face-to-face discussions.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• Working indoors in non-environmentally controlled conditions.
• Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Exposure to hazardous equipment.

Tools & Technology used by Aircraft Mechanics

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Aircraft Mechanics

• Maintaining Equipment—Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Repairing—Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
• Monitoring Equipment—Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Troubleshooting—Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Controlling Quality—Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Solving Complex Problems—Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Aircraft Mechanics

• Mechanical—Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Engineering and Technology—Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Chemistry—Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Physics—Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
• Transportation—Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• Design—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Public Safety and Security—Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• 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.
• 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.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is seeing low growth compared to other careers. There will be very little need for Aircraft Mechanics to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career is best for those with at least an Associates degree, and some professionals earn a Bachelors degree in college. This job does not requires a license, but certifications could aid in showcasing knowledge.

Visit the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence for more information about this career, as well as links to education and training programs in Minnesota.

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Accounting
• Algebra I and II
• Automobile and Diesel Mechanics
• Business English
• Chemistry
• Industrial Technology
• Manufacturing System
• Metalworking
• Physics
• Pre-Calculus
• Transportation Technology
• Trigonometry

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise