Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Key Tasks
- Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
- Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
- Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
- Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
- Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
- Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.
- Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.
- Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.
- Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks.
- Service and maintain aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities such as flushing crankcases, cleaning screens, and or moving parts.
- Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment, such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, or ammeters.
- Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools.
- Reassemble engines following repair or inspection and reinstall engines in aircraft.
- 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, or seals.
- Measure the tension of control cables.
- Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.
- Determine repair limits for engine hot section parts.
- Obtain fuel and oil samples and check them for contamination.
- Examine engines through specially designed openings while working from ladders or scaffolds, or use hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from an aircraft.
- Listen to operating engines to detect and diagnose malfunctions, such as sticking or burned valves.
- Remove or cut out defective parts or drill holes to gain access to internal defects or damage, using drills and punches.
- Communicate with other workers to coordinate fitting and alignment of heavy parts, or to facilitate processing of repair parts.
- Inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment.
- Clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft.
- Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications.
- Disassemble engines and inspect parts, such as turbine blades or cylinders, for corrosion, wear, warping, cracks, and leaks, using precision measuring instruments, x-rays, and magnetic inspection equipment.
- Clean engines, sediment bulk and screens, and carburetors, adjusting carburetor float levels.
- Remove, inspect, repair, and install in-flight refueling stores and external fuel tanks.
- Install and align repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches.
- Accompany aircraft on flights to make in-flight adjustments and corrections.
- Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules.
- Spread plastic film over areas to be repaired to prevent damage to surrounding areas.
- Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.
- Clean, strip, prime, and sand structural surfaces and materials to prepare them for bonding.
- Cure bonded structures, using portable or stationary curing equipment.
- Trim and shape replacement body sections to specified sizes and fits and secure sections in place, using adhesives, hand tools, and power tools.
- Prepare and paint aircraft surfaces.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
93%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
93%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
92%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
92%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
92%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
90%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
88%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
87%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
86%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
81%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
81%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
78%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
78%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
78%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
76%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
76%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
75%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
75%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
74%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
73%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
72%
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
68%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
68%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
67%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
64%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
63%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
63%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
63%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
63%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
62%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
60%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
58%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
57%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
55%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
55%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
54%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
53%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
52%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
50%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
49%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
48%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
48%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
48%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
44%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
38%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
37%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
35%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
34%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
30%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
25%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
17%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
12%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
10%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
10%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
7%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
7%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
3%
Education
Post-secondary certificate
Associate's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
Interests
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
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