Traveling between different points in our world, regardless of the distance, has become part of the routine of millions of people.
Whether it’s to transport goods, merchandise, or people on business or pleasure trips, airplanes and helicopters of all sizes and capacities are available to use.
With the new technologies that continue to develop, the maintenance of these aircraft has become increasingly more specialized.
A profession that is directly related to the aviation industry is Aircraft Mechanics.
In the next few sections, we’ll describe the most important facts about aviation, what Aircraft Mechanics do, how to become one, and the cost of Aircraft Mechanic training.
Table of Contents
What Is the Aviation Industry?
The aviation industry refers to the creation, development, and operation of aircraft and airports.
There are mainly two sectors in the aviation industry, civil aviation and military aviation.
The first one involves the service of air transportation to the public by commercial airlines, whereas the second one, military aviation, is concerned with military aircraft.
The term aircraft can indicate airplanes, helicopters, and even drones.
What Is an Aircraft Mechanic?
An Aircraft Mechanic is a skilled worker that focuses on the maintenance and repair of aircraft.
They are also known as aviation maintenance technicians and Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanics.
What Does an Aircraft Mechanic Do?
The most common duties that Aircraft Mechanics have are to inspect and diagnose problems in aircraft, repair components of the aircraft whether mechanical or electrical, replace and examine defective parts, and maintain records of the work performed on the aircraft.
How Do I Become an Aircraft Mechanic?
There are mainly two ways of becoming an Aircraft Mechanic: acquiring knowledge and experience while directly working in the sector, and attending an approved school.
Certification is also needed to be able to work.
On-the-job Training
It is possible to acquire knowledge and expertise directly on the job while working under the supervision of an instructor.
This could be a great option if you can’t wait to start working on aircraft and prefer to avoid attending structured classes.
People who have been in the military, also gain knowledge on the job
Aircraft Mechanic Training
Another way of becoming an Aircraft Mechanic is to enroll in an approved training program.
Training is offered by Aircraft Maintenance Technician Schools (AMTS), which have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
It also manages certification for Aircraft Mechanics and related professions.
In these training programs, you’ll acquire knowledge in aircraft operation and maintenance, hydraulics, physics, airframe inspection, fuel systems, turbine engines, and aircraft instruments, among others.
There are three specializations that you can choose: airframe mechanics, powerplant mechanics, or a combination of both.
The degrees awarded are Associate’s and Bachelor’s, depending on the depth of knowledge that you aspire to, and the time and budget you have.
Certification
Individuals who aspire to work as Aircraft Mechanics must obtain certification from the FAA.
This involves taking a set of oral and written exams, as well as field assessments.
The reason for obtaining certification is to prove that you have the required knowledge and expertise to start working as an Aircraft Mechanic.
The potential mechanic must truly comprehend the level of responsibility they have when handling aircraft since they usually transport people and goods from one place to the other in extreme conditions for humans.
How Long Does Aircraft Mechanic Training Last?
Aircraft Mechanic Training can generally last between 18 and 24 months, depending on the specialization selected.
How Much Does Aircraft Mechanic Training Cost?
Several factors can affect the overall cost of Aircraft Mechanic Training programs.
The city where you aspire to work, the school you select, and the subject area can all directly impact the cost of these programs.
For an Associate’s degree, you could pay from $9,000 to $30,000.
For a Bachelor’s degree, you could pay between $25,000 and $80,000.
