• You must be at least 18 years old and you must be able to read/write and speak English.
• You must have at least 18 months of practical experience with airframes or power plants, or you must have at least 30 months of working experience on both at the same time.  If you can’t meet this requirment you can graduate from an FAA Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School. 

Once you have the required certificate you can then apply for aircraft mechanic jobs.  Aircraft mechanics specialize in performing preventative maintenance on airplanes and other aircraft.  They inspect aircraft engines, landing gear, instruments, pressurized sections, accessories—brakes, valves, pumps, and air-conditioning systems. Whenever there are parts or pieces that are broken or missing, the aircraft mechanic’s responsibility is to replace them.  They also keep very specific records related to the maintenance performed on the aircraft. Aircraft mechanics and technicians conduct routine inspections following a schedule based on the number of hours the aircraft has flown, calendar days since the last inspection, cycles of operation, or a combination of these factors. More high tech planes have computers that monitor data and record the operation of specific components.  This data must be analyzed and is a great way to tell a technician if there are problems in the basic plane operations.  In planes of all sorts, aircraft mechanics examine engines by working through specially designed openings while standing on ladders or scaffolds or by using hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from the aircraft. After taking an engine apart, mechanics use precision instruments to measure parts for wear and use x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment to check for invisible cracks.You may also have to repair sheet metal or composite surfaces; measure the tension of control cables; and check for corrosion, distortion, and cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail. After completing all repairs, they must test the equipment to ensure that it works properly.

Other mechanics specialize in repair work rather than inspecting the air craft for possible issues. They find and fix problems that pilot’s describe. For example, during a preflight check, a pilot may discover that the aircraft’s fuel gauge does not work. To solve the problem, mechanics may troubleshoot the electrical system, using electrical test equipment to make sure that no wires are broken or shorted out, and replace any defective electrical or electronic components. Mechanics work as fast as safety permits so that the aircraft can be put back into service quickly. These types of mechanics are always in high demand and the jobs typically pay very well.

A maintenance mechanic should also have some machining knowledge as you will often have to fabricate repair parts by using machine chop instrumentation and equipment.  As the head mechanic it will also be your responsibility to control part and supply inventories by ordering supplies that are low and by anticipating needed equipment. 

What exactly are the qualifications one would need to be a maintenance mechanic?  These qualifications vary by company, but most companies have you take a mechanical skills test that must be passed to be considered for the job.  Employers also require that you have at least 2 years of electro-mechanic experience within a manufacturing environment.  Some companies work with higher voltage equipment, but the standard is to have knowledge and experience working with 440/480v electrical components.  A high school diploma or GED is also another requirement as well as being able to lift at least 25 pounds often. 

Once you have filled the basic requirements you can plan on making between $12-$17 dollars an hour as a full time employee.  If pursue a career in being a manager maintenance mechanic the pay can be as high as $25-$30 dollars an hour.  Both positions include  full benefits that usually include health and dental.  This type of position is perfect for the type of person that loves mechanical things and loves to solve problems.  Having the ability to create and fabricate a new repair part, or having the ability to see an effective, simple, yet cheap solution will make you a prime candidate to land a maintenance mechanic job. 

Manufacturing is a big business as the auto industry, trucking industries, and construction industries rely heavily on the ingenuity of their maintenance mechanics to help them run smoothly and efficiently.  When one machine goes down a whole company can be halted, this is why these jobs are in very high demand and pay very well.  Put your mind and hands to work and check out the career choice of becoming a maintenance mechanic!