Types Of Aircraft Mechanics
Knowing your career choices before you enter any program of study is important. For instance, math majors must decide if they want to teach, work for NASA, or become accountants. In the same way, a person wanting to become an aircraft mechanic needs to know what type of planes they want to work on and what licenses are in the highest demand. Becoming an aircraft mechanic is much more complicated than becoming an auto mechanic, so here is some basic information about types of aircraft mechanics.
An FAA certified mechanic may choose to have an airframe rating or a powerplant rating. An airframe rating has to do with the body and structure of the plane, from the small bolts on the prop to the wings themselves. A powerplant rating focuses on the engine. If you want either of these certificates, you must complete 18 months of on-the-job plane maintenance in order to even apply to take the tests. This work time must be documented and signed off by the supervising mechanic or you must obtain a notarized statement from your employer. And keep in mind that this maintenance work comes after you are signed off by a certified program of study or aircraft maintenance school.
To get both certificates, you can choose to work for 30 months and then take a different test. This will make you an A&P mechanic and give you the ability to work on all parts of the plane except the instrument panel (also known as avionics). Getting both certificates is pretty common for a standard mechanic, and most mechanics in the field hold A&P certificates.
Avionics repair is a specialty field that is well worth the effort. Avionics focuses on the electronics and instruments in the plane, and most aircraft mechanics are not trained for this. Avionics technicians repair and maintain components used for aircraft navigation and radio communications, weather radar systems, and other instruments and computers that control flight, engine, and other primary functions. These duties require additional licenses.
Avionics is said to be the future of all aviation, including general aviation, and experts expect the job market to reflect that need for many years into the future. When an employer knows that you are capable of working on avionics as well as engines, you become more valuable to them because they may not need to hire two separate people for both engine and instrument work. Avionics usually involves understanding the latest technology and being able to apply that technology as a mechanic.
Each aircraft mechanic can choose to work in a specific field. You may choose to work in manufacturing facilities devoted to the creation of aircraft, an airfield where you run from plane to plane as the need arises, or for the military on F-14s making sure that they won't go down in a combat zone. And while most aircraft mechanics work on a variety of different aircrafts and systems, such as the engines, brakes, landing gear, electrical systems, and structure, some decide to specialize in repairing specific parts of the aircraft, such as the instruments or hydraulic systems.
Maintenance is performed around the clock, seven days a week, so make sure that you choose your career type wisely. FAA certification standards also make ongoing training mandatory, especially if you have an A&P certificate. So make sure that you have least 1,000 hours of mechanical work logged every 24 months or you must take refresher courses.
Now you know the basic opportunities available when you are deciding to become an aircraft mechanic. The specific field of study you choose, combined with the aircraft type you desire to work on, will affect how much schooling and how many certificates you need, so it is good to know in advance. Think about it carefully, and then enter your field, knowing you have made an informed decision.
An FAA certified mechanic may choose to have an airframe rating or a powerplant rating. An airframe rating has to do with the body and structure of the plane, from the small bolts on the prop to the wings themselves. A powerplant rating focuses on the engine. If you want either of these certificates, you must complete 18 months of on-the-job plane maintenance in order to even apply to take the tests. This work time must be documented and signed off by the supervising mechanic or you must obtain a notarized statement from your employer. And keep in mind that this maintenance work comes after you are signed off by a certified program of study or aircraft maintenance school.
To get both certificates, you can choose to work for 30 months and then take a different test. This will make you an A&P mechanic and give you the ability to work on all parts of the plane except the instrument panel (also known as avionics). Getting both certificates is pretty common for a standard mechanic, and most mechanics in the field hold A&P certificates.
Avionics repair is a specialty field that is well worth the effort. Avionics focuses on the electronics and instruments in the plane, and most aircraft mechanics are not trained for this. Avionics technicians repair and maintain components used for aircraft navigation and radio communications, weather radar systems, and other instruments and computers that control flight, engine, and other primary functions. These duties require additional licenses.
Avionics is said to be the future of all aviation, including general aviation, and experts expect the job market to reflect that need for many years into the future. When an employer knows that you are capable of working on avionics as well as engines, you become more valuable to them because they may not need to hire two separate people for both engine and instrument work. Avionics usually involves understanding the latest technology and being able to apply that technology as a mechanic.
Each aircraft mechanic can choose to work in a specific field. You may choose to work in manufacturing facilities devoted to the creation of aircraft, an airfield where you run from plane to plane as the need arises, or for the military on F-14s making sure that they won't go down in a combat zone. And while most aircraft mechanics work on a variety of different aircrafts and systems, such as the engines, brakes, landing gear, electrical systems, and structure, some decide to specialize in repairing specific parts of the aircraft, such as the instruments or hydraulic systems.
Maintenance is performed around the clock, seven days a week, so make sure that you choose your career type wisely. FAA certification standards also make ongoing training mandatory, especially if you have an A&P certificate. So make sure that you have least 1,000 hours of mechanical work logged every 24 months or you must take refresher courses.
Now you know the basic opportunities available when you are deciding to become an aircraft mechanic. The specific field of study you choose, combined with the aircraft type you desire to work on, will affect how much schooling and how many certificates you need, so it is good to know in advance. Think about it carefully, and then enter your field, knowing you have made an informed decision.
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