Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Human Advantage 70%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.9 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Also Known As: A & P Mechanic (Airframe and/or Powerplant Mechanic), A & P Technician (Airframe and/or Powerplant Technician), Aerospace Propulsion Jet Engine Mechanic, Aircraft Accessories Mechanic, Aircraft Air Conditioning Mechanic, Aircraft Body and Bonded Structure Repairer, Aircraft Cylinder Mechanic, Aircraft Electrician +72 more
Core Tasks
- Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- 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.
- Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.
- Obtain fuel and oil samples and check them for contamination.
- Maintain, repair, and rebuild aircraft structures, functional components, and parts, such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, or seals.
- Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
- Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.
- Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment, such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, or ammeters.
- Measure the tension of control cables.
- Spread plastic film over areas to be repaired to prevent damage to surrounding areas.
- Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks.
- Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools.
- Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules.
- Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.
- Reassemble engines following repair or inspection and reinstall engines in aircraft.
- Service and maintain aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities such as flushing crankcases, cleaning screens, and or moving parts.
- Clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft.
- Trim and shape replacement body sections to specified sizes and fits and secure sections in place, using adhesives, hand tools, and power tools.
- Accompany aircraft on flights to make in-flight adjustments and corrections.
- Remove or cut out defective parts or drill holes to gain access to internal defects or damage, using drills and punches.
- Install and align repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches.
- Inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment.
- Clean, strip, prime, and sand structural surfaces and materials to prepare them for bonding.
- Communicate with other workers to coordinate fitting and alignment of heavy parts, or to facilitate processing of repair parts.
Supplemental Tasks (9)
- Examine engines through specially designed openings while working from ladders or scaffolds, or use hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from an aircraft.
- Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.
- 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.
- Cure bonded structures, using portable or stationary curing equipment.
- Listen to operating engines to detect and diagnose malfunctions, such as sticking or burned valves.
- Clean engines, sediment bulk and screens, and carburetors, adjusting carburetor float levels.
- Determine repair limits for engine hot section parts.
- Remove, inspect, repair, and install in-flight refueling stores and external fuel tanks.
- Prepare and paint aircraft surfaces.
Education & Training
Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (26)
Tools & Equipment (150)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Maintenance & Repair Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 3
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians You are here
Zone 4
Transportation Inspectors 76% match
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