National
| Median wages (2008) |
$24.71 hourly, $51,390 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
122,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
25,000 additional employees |
49-3011.00 - Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Sample of reported job titles:
Aircraft Mechanic, Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Aircraft Technician, Aircraft Maintenance Director, Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor, Aircraft Restorer, Aviation Maintenance Technician, Helicopter Mechanic
Tasks
- Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
- Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
- Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
- Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
- Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.
- Maintain, repair, and rebuild aircraft structures, functional components, and parts such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, and seals.
- Measure the tension of control cables.
- Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
- Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.
back to top
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Hammers — Ball peen hammers; Plastic tip hammers |
| Integrated maintenance information systems — Aircraft maintenance management systems; LTB/400 maintenance management system; MxManager; S.M.A.R.T aircraft maintenance tracking |
| Lifts — Aircraft test stands; Mechanical lifts; Power lifts |
| Metal cutters — Offset left aviation snips; Offset right aviation snips; Sheet metal breakers; Straight cut aviation snips |
| Punches or nail sets or drifts — Brass punches; Center punches; Pin punches; Taper punches |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — CaseBank SpotLight; CynapSys Virtual DER; Engine analysis software |
| Data base user interface and query software — Metis Systems MainTrack; Mxi Technologies Maintenix; Pentagon 2000SQL; Sacramento Sky Ranch Mechanic's Toolbox |
| Facilities management software — Access Software AIRPAX; Maintenance information databases; Maintenance planning software; Maintenance record software |
| Information retrieval or search software — Computerized aircraft log manager CALM software; Technical manual database software |
| Inventory management software — Supply system software |
