Aviation Maintenance Technician

Now is one of the best times to enter the aviation technician trade. Many of the major carriers are experiencing record profits and record growth. Many technicians at the air carriers are reaching retirement age, and there are not enough in training to fill these jobs.  Learn More >

• Troubleshooting (individually or with crew chief, management, or professional direction), disassembly, checking and cleaning, repairing, replacing, testing, adjusting, assembling, installing, servicing, fabricating, taxiing, or towing airplanes and/or run-up engines, de-icing aircraft, required to maintain the air worthiness of aircraft and all their components while in service or while undergoing overhaul and/or modification.
• Certifies for quality of own workmanship, including signing mechanical flight releases for all work done on field work.
• In those work positions where stock chasers are not utilized and/or available at the time, may chase own parts.
• May have other mechanic personnel assigned to assist him/her in completing an assignment.
• Work according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and company regulations and procedures and instructions from crew chief or supervisor.
• Complete forms connected with work assignments according to established procedures and communicate with other company personnel as required in a manner designated by the company.
• Performing the following duties as assigned: cleaning of aircraft windshields; connecting/removing ground power and ground start units; pushing out/towing of aircraft and related guide-man functions; and fueling/defueling, de-icing of aircraft.

Learn More >

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license
• Verifiable, hands-on experience of the actual time spent in the repair, maintenance, overhaul, or manufacture of aircraft required
• One or both of the following:
  • 24 months on aircraft with a gross weight of 70,000 pounds (including fuel) or engines with 15,000 pounds or more of thrust
  • 48 months on aircraft with gross weight between 12,500 and 70,000 pounds (including fuel) or engines with 5,000 to 15,000 pounds of thrust
• Airframe and Power Plant (A&P) License (must provide license number and date of issue during application process)
• Ability to work rotating shifts including weekends, holidays, and days off
• Must fulfill FAA criminal background checks to qualify for unescorted access privileges to airport security identification display areas (SIDA)
• Must be able to secure appropriate airport authority and/or U.S. Customs security badges

Learn More >

Generally, to become an aircraft technician, you would take one or more of the following paths to become a licensed technician:

• Attend an 18-month (or longer) technical training program.
• Obtain the experience while in the military, then prove to the FAA that you meet the minimum training (18 months’ hands-on experience for power plant (engines) and 18 months’ hands-on experience for airframe). After the FAA accepts the documented training, you can then take the written test. Once you pass the written exam, you must pass an oral and a practical exam. All exams are given by the FAA or FAA-designated examiners.
• Obtain the experience working in a repair facility, then follow the same testing as someone from the military as described above.

Learn More >

This job is subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing. Your previous employers will be contacted to verify if you had any DOT drug violations and/or refusals to test for drugs or alcohol in the previous two-year period. Your DOT-required urine specimen will be tested for the following substances: cocaine, marijuana, PCP, amphetamines and opiates. Learn More >

All aviation maintenance technicians fall under the FAA and must comply with all regulations for maintaining and inspecting all aircraft or aircraft components. All technicians are tested by the FAA and must pass a written, oral, and practical exam to be licensed. Learn More >