| It's hard to believe that the Wright Brothers took the | | | | Avionics technicians repair and maintain electronic and |
| first powered aircraft flight in 1903 - a little more than | | | | navigation systems. They may require additional |
| one hundred years ago. Since then, airplanes have | | | | licenses, such as a radiotelephone license issued by |
| become a part of everyday life. From small | | | | the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). |
| single-engine private planes to huge jets that can carry | | | | Training Requirements |
| heavy cargo, aircraft are in use in every part of the | | | | Most aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians |
| globe. They all have something in common: they | | | | receive training at one of the many technical schools |
| require regular maintenance and repair. | | | | certified by the FAA. About one-third of these schools |
| When aircraft are concerned, safety is critical. If you | | | | award two-year and four-year degrees in aviation |
| are driving your car and your engine quits, you can pull | | | | technology, avionics, or aviation maintenance |
| over to the side of the road. But if your engine quits | | | | management. Most mechanics who work on civilian |
| when you are flying a small plane at ten thousand feet, | | | | aircraft are certified by the FAA as either a |
| you have a much more serious problem! Aircraft | | | | powerplant mechanic or an airframe mechanic. |
| mechanics and avionics technicians must keep planes | | | | FAA standards require that certified mechanic schools |
| flying safely - it can be a matter of life or death. | | | | must offer students a minimum of 1,900 class hours of |
| Aviation technicians are highly skilled and maintain | | | | instruction. Programs normally last from 18 to 24 |
| aircraft to standards set by the U.S. Federal Aviation | | | | months, and provide training with the tools and |
| Administration (FAA). Within the industry there are | | | | equipment used on the job. After graduation, |
| different areas of specialization. | | | | mechanics and technicians must pass an exam for |
| Many aircraft mechanics specialize in preventive | | | | certification, and take at least 16 hours of training every |
| maintenance. They inspect landing gear, pressurized | | | | 24 months to keep their certificate current. The FAA |
| sections, aircraft engines, instruments, brakes, valves, | | | | also offers the A&P certificate, a combined certificate |
| pumps, and other parts of the aircraft. They carry out | | | | that allows for certification as both an airframe and a |
| necessary maintenance and parts replacement, and | | | | powerplant mechanic. |
| keep records of the maintenance performed on the | | | | The Job Prospects Are Good |
| aircraft. | | | | According to the U.S. Government's Bureau of Labor |
| Other mechanics specialize in repairs. They find and fix | | | | Statistics, during the decade between 2008 and 2018 |
| problems that are identified by pilots or inspectors. | | | | the field of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics |
| Mechanics often must work quickly so that the aircraft | | | | and service technicians will add 9,800 new jobs. With |
| can be put back into service. | | | | the right training and certification, one of those new |
| Mechanics generally specialize in one type of aircraft, | | | | jobs could be yours. |
| such as jets, propeller-driven airplanes, or helicopters. | | | | But how do you get started? The best way is to |
| Others may specialize in one section of a particular | | | | research career colleges. Log onto a reputable online |
| type of aircraft, such as the electrical system, engine, | | | | college directory. Search for aviation mechanics or |
| or hydraulics. Airframe mechanics work on any part of | | | | avionics programs. Compare colleges and what they |
| the aircraft except the instruments, power plants, and | | | | have to offer, including financial aid and career |
| propellers, while powerplant mechanics work only on | | | | services. Then contact the schools that offer what |
| engines. Combination airframe-and-powerplant | | | | you need. In less time than you think, you could be |
| mechanics (A&P mechanics) work on all parts of the | | | | training for a rewarding career or expanding your |
| plane except the instruments. | | | | existing training to qualify for a better job. |