What does an Aircraft Mechanic do?
An Aircraft Mechanic helps commercial, private and cargo aircraft perform safely. By carrying out the repair and services duties established in an Aviation Maintenance Technician job description, they ensure that aircraft parts and systems are in working order and that issues that may affect safety and performance get resolved.
The record-keeping responsibilities of an Aircraft Mechanic allow aircraft owners to track previous work performed, which can help them determine when it may be time to retire an aircraft from service. By maintaining accurate records, they also enable aircraft owners to prove that they complied with service and repair requirements established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Aircraft Mechanic skills and qualifications
Aircraft Mechanics who excel in their roles often possess certain skills, and employers often prefer to hire candidates who possess them. Some qualifications commonly found in a job description for Aircraft Mechanic positions include:
- Ability to access systems and parts and to move heavy parts from one place to another
- Knowledge of the parts and systems found in different models of aircraft
- Familiarity with the proper use of metal working tools, wrenches, punches, tail stands and other commonly used tools
- Reading comprehension skills to understand repair manuals for various aircraft models
- Analytical and problem-solving skills to use flight data to identify and repair problems
- Attentiveness to detail to ensure that work gets performed correctly
- Observation skills to spot defects and damage
- Mathematics and computer skills to utilize equipment and calibrate parts
Aircraft Mechanic experience requirements
How much experience an Aircraft Mechanic will need to successfully perform their job duties depends on the nature of your open position. If your new hire will be working on a specific type of aircraft, such as airliners or helicopters, you may wish to prioritize candidates who have serviced similar vehicles in the past.
Employers who have well-established mechanic teams consisting of experienced technicians may be able to hire Aircraft Mechanics with little to no experience beyond their education and training. However, those with smaller or newer teams may prefer to list a few years of experience as desirable or mandatory in an Aviation Maintenance job description.
Aircraft Mechanic education and training requirements
Some formal post-secondary education is usually necessary to work as an Aircraft Mechanic. Most training programs award a certificate of completion. To perform repairs without supervision, an Aircraft Mechanic normally needs FAA certification. There are different types of certification available, but candidates typically need to complete an FAA-approved training course and complete a minimum number of hours of hands-on repair work to qualify. In addition, the FAA requires those seeking certification to pass written and practical tests. If your new hire needs to perform independent repair work, you may wish to list FAA certification as a required qualification in your job description for Aircraft Mechanic positions.
Aircraft Mechanic salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Aircraft Mechanic is $82,818 per year. Geographic location, education, experience and certification status determine how much individual mechanics can expect to make.
Aircraft Mechanic salary expectations
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Common salary:
33.87 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
13.15 -64.00 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Job description samples for similar positions
If the Aircraft Mechanic job description described above isn’t a good match for your open position, explore these alternatives:
Aircraft Mechanic job description FAQs
How can I make my Aircraft Mechanic job description appealing to candidates?
Summarize the key perks of working for your organization in a bulleted list at the beginning of your Aviation Maintenance Technician job description. You can mention things like benefits packages, retirement plans, flexible scheduling and continuing education allowances.
What’s the difference between an Aircraft Mechanic and an Avionics Technician?
An Aircraft Mechanic works on the parts of airplanes, such as engines, heating and cooling systems, wings and hydraulics. Avionics Technicians focus on repairing and maintaining the electronic systems that pilots use to fly planes and the wiring systems that power those controls.
Should I hire an Airframe or a Powerplant Aircraft Mechanic?
An Airframe Aircraft Mechanic services the body of the aircraft, while a Powerplant Aircraft Mechanic repairs and maintains an aircraft’s engine systems. To decide which type of mechanic to hire, consider the makeup of your existing team. Keep in mind that some Aircraft Mechanics are both Airframe and Powerplant certified and qualified to service the entire aircraft as a result. If you wish to prioritize these mechanics, you may wish to make the title for your Aviation Maintenance Technician job description A&P Aircraft Mechanic.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
