Aircraft mechanics are responsible for maintenance, safety inspections, and installing new parts. A college degree and certification are necessary, and regular maintenance schedules are recommended. Aircraft must be inspected before each flight, and career advancement opportunities include store management or related positions.
An aircraft mechanic is primarily responsible for aircraft maintenance, installation of new parts, and safety inspections. Aircraft mechanics find job opportunities at airports, aircraft hangers, and aircraft construction companies. The most important part of this job is the safety inspection. Checking to ensure all mechanical systems are working properly before allowing the plane to fly improves safety and reduces the chance of malfunction.
A college degree and certification as an aircraft mechanic are essential for working in this profession. People who are mechanically inclined, enjoy working with tools and are very detail oriented have the most success in this career. The college degree program is typically three years of full-time or five to six years of part-time school.
Regular maintenance schedules are suggested to the aircraft mechanic by the manufacturer and are designed to reduce equipment wear and tear. Typically, the schedule is designed to run on all the different mechanical systems over the course of a year. When maintaining a specific system, hoses should be checked, all joints lubricated and parts replaced if there are any signs of wear.
Occasionally, parts need to be replaced. This could be due to an accident, damage from debris, or excessive wear and tear. Parts vary by aircraft model and generally must be ordered in advance. Many aircraft mechanics take the opportunity to inspect other parts or apply additional lubrication when installing new equipment.
Aircraft repair shops often have a list of customers they have acquired over the years. They will often forward local airport referrals or provide brochures to potential customers. Most customers are very loyal, preferring to have their plane maintained by one company in the interest of ongoing support.
All aircraft must be inspected by a qualified mechanic before each flight. This preflight inspection is designed to check all essential systems needed for takeoff, landing and basic flying. If the plane is deemed unsafe, the pilot will not be allowed to fly. Most pilots file their flight plan at least a day in advance and request a pre-flight inspection at that time. This gives the mechanic time to repair any problems before the planned flight.
Mechanically inclined people interested in airplanes often become aircraft mechanics. Career advancement opportunities usually focus on moving into store management, selling equipment, or a related position. However, many people remain aircraft mechanics for their entire careers.
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