Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Technicians and Mechanic Career Information

Aircraft and avionics equipment technicians and mechanics perform maintenance on helicopters and airplanes. According to FAA requirements, they perform routine inspections, too.

Such repairs, inspections, and general maintenance are vitally necessary given the complexity of today's helicopters and airplanes. Each part must be in good working order--reliable enough to safely fly. It is the aircraft and avionics equipment technicians and mechanics who ensure these high-tech machines are in peak operating condition.

Some mechanics specialize on one particular type of aircraft, whether that specialty is propeller-driven airplanes, helicopters, or jets. Other mechanics develop a more all-around knowledge, working on several different types. Still others specialize in a single section of a specific type of aircraft--like the engine of a jet, for example, or the hydraulics on a propeller-driven plane. Independent helicopter and airplane repair shops tend to repair, maintain, and inspect a wide variety of aircraft.

The majority of mechanics who repair, maintain, and/or inspect civilian aircraft possess the Airframe and Powerplant certificate, or A&P. This certificate is regulated and awarded by the FAA. With the A&P, a mechanic is FAA-approved to work on every part of a given aircraft except the electronic flight instruments; this last falls within the realm of avionics technicians.

There are several different type of aircraft and avionics equipment technicians and mechanics. These include:

Repair mechanics. As the name suggests, this group specialized in repair, and is thus less likely to perform inspections. When pilots have an issue, they describe it to the repair mechanic and the repair mechanic fixes the issue. If a fuel gauge malfunctions, for example, the pilot must depend on the repair mechanic to locate the problem and effectively deal with it, replacing any defective parts if necessary. Repair mechanics often must work rapidly in order for the airplane to return to service in a timely manner.

Maintenance mechanics. This group specializes in routine inspections and regular, preventative maintenance work. It is vital that each aircraft be inspected on a regular basis. Typically an aircraft's maintenance schedule will revolve around such considerations as time since last inspection, hours in the air, trips flown, or some or all of these. Special tools are employed in order to measure wear, and parts that are worn-out are replaced. Maintenance mechanics generally inspect a wide range of aircraft parts--from engines and landing gear to air conditioning systems, brakes, instruments, and more. Even the plane's exterior is inspected and its metal sheets repaired or replaced. Sometimes cracks in the exterior are virtually invisible, so special equipment is used (including magnetic inspection equipment or x-rays) to make sure these cracks are found before they develop into something worse. Mechanics often employ aircraft monitoring systems, which gather data and provide diagnostic information for the mechanic to use when making an inspection. This equipment must be regularly tested, too. The entire aircraft--from the tail to the wings to its main body--is inspected for distortion, cracks, and corrosion. It is important, too, that maintenance mechanics keep good records of their work on each and every aircraft they inspect or maintain.

Avionic technician. When it comes to the aircraft's electronic systems, the mechanics move over and the avionic technician moves in. The domain of the avionic technician includes an aircraft's radar systems, radio communications, flight instruments, and any other election systems. Avionic technicians are expected to be able to analyze often difficult electronic issues--then solve them. With the increased use of automated technology on airplanes and helicopters, more and more time is required maintaining an aircraft's computer systems.

Employment Numbers

Most aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians work in the private sector (85%), based on 2010 statistics, with the rest (15%) working for the federal government. Almost 150,000 jobs were held by avionics technicians and aircraft mechanics during the same period, most of them held by the latter (avionics technicians made up about 13% of that number).

A relatively small number of industries do the bulk of hiring avionics technicians and aircraft mechanics.

Once again according to 2010 statistics, the scheduled air transportation industry employed the largest proportion of aircraft mechanics (26%), followed closely by airports and other support activities for air transportation (23%). Three other industries round out the top five: the aerospace products and parts manufacturing industry (16%), the (non-postal-service-related) federal government (16%), and the non-scheduled air transportation industry (4%).

Meanwhile, during the same year, the largest proportion of aviation technicians were employed by the aerospace products and parts manufacturing industry (31%), airports and other support activities for air transportation (26%), and the non-postal-service-related federal government (12%). The scheduled air transportation industry accounted for 11% of all aviation technician jobs, while the navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing industry employed 4% of this group.

In terms of environment, technicians and mechanics generally work in repair stations, on airfields, or in hangars. In order for flight schedules to be met, mechanics and technicians are required to maintain strict deadlines--all while complying with equally strict safety standards. Certainly, such a work environment may lead to stress.

Less than a third of aircraft mechanics and aviation technicians belong to any sort of union. Among those that do, perhaps the most significant is the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.

Of course, the majority of technicians and mechanics work within close proximity of an airport. For airline mechanics, work is often conducted out of doors (on an airfield, for example), while corporate or repair mechanics tend to work indoors (where climate is controlled). For those mechanics employed by the armed forces, military installations serve as their workplace.

Becoming an Avionics Technician or an Aircraft Mechanic

Coursework at an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School typically takes anywhere from one-and-a-half to two years. These specialized schools provide the equipment and tools a technician or mechanic will use on the job. Some of these schools (around one out of three) additionally award either two- or four-year degrees in aviation technology, avionics, or aviation maintenance management, and employers in the industry seem more and more to prefer those with a Bachelor’s degree.

Considering the rapid development of new aircraft technology, perhaps it is not surprising that these schools are placing increased emphasis on technologies featured in newer aircraft, including composite materials, aviation electronics, and turbine engines. With this increased emphasis, technicians and mechanics gain the background they need to work in these more technically advanced areas. The training of technicians and mechanics generally includes courses in physics and math, electronics and computer science, and mechanical drawing and chemical engineering--all of which communicate fundamental principles relevant to the operation of an aircraft. It is common for such knowledge to provide the key in figuring out a complex aviation issue with which the mechanic or technician is struggling. Of course, if a mechanic or technician is evening a more senior, or managerial, position, courses in communication, writing, and management also come in handy.

Getting Certified

According to the FAA, the maintenance of an aircraft must be performed by FAA-certified mechanics, or at least under supervision of a certified mechanic. Distinct certifications exist for engine mechanics and airframe mechanics, but it's probably best to obtain the combined A&P certificate--especially since the majority of airplanes prefer mechanics with this certification.

In order for a mechanic to qualify, he or she must be at least 18 years old, speak and read English fluently, and have at least 30 months of experience working on engines and airframes. This last may be substituted by the completion of an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School program, however. Along with the age, language, and experience requirements, aspiring mechanics and technicians must pass oral, written, and practical examinations demonstrating skills  needed for the job. Testing facilities that administer these examinations are located all over the world, via computer (for the written test) and in the presence of an FAA-designated Mechanic Examiner (for the oral and practical tests). These tests must all be completed within 24 months in order for the certification to be awarded.

FAA-certified airframe mechanics are authorized to work on avionics equipment (there is no certification specifically for avionics), though they must have the proper tools and training. For many avionics technicians, such training comes from a technical school. For others, military training covers the basics. Still others gain their knowledge while working for a manufacturer of avionics. An FCC-issued restricted radio-telephone operator license is required for all avionics technicians who work on communications equipment.

Even with the certificate in hand, mechanics must (a) perform a repair or inspection at least once every 90 days, and (b) attend a review course once every two years. Typically these requirements are fulfilled through the mechanic's employer.

Compensation and Earnings

Once again going back to 2010 statistics, an aircraft mechanic's median annual salary was $53,420 (the bottom 10% earned under $33,630, while the top 10% earned over $72,250). Median annual salaries also fluctuated by industry. For example, aircraft mechanics working in the scheduled air transportation industry earned a median annual salary of $56,850 (the highest median by industry), while those working support for air transportation earned a median wage of $45,160 (the lowest median by industry).

For avionics technicians in 2010, median annual salary was $52,320, with the bottom 10% of earners bringing in under $36,810 and the top 10% getting paid over $67,560. These medians, too, vary by industry. Avionics technicians working in the scheduled air transportation industry earned a median salary of $56,550 (the highest median by industry), while those working for airports and other support services for air transport earned $46,160 (the lowest median by industry).

A typical shift for both technicians and mechanics lasts for eight hours and are scheduled on a rotating basis. It is not uncommon for technicians and mechanics to perform weekend or overtime work. The most senior mechanics tend to receive preference when it comes to the day shifts. Generally, the compensation package for both technicians and mechanics includes health and retirements benefits.

Employment Outlook

While the demand for aircraft mechanics and technicians is expected to grow, projections estimates predict slower than average growth when compared with other occupations. Still, since air travel is expected to (gradually) increase over time, most employment growth is projected. One reason this growth is expected to be modest (as opposed to rapid) is that such maintenance jobs can often be outsourced to other countries, a practice airlines are employing more and more often--and which often translates into high competition over open positions. Of course, for those technicians and mechanics who have a bachelor's degree, keep up-to-date with the latest technical advances in composite materials and aircraft electronics, and possess and A&P certificate, prospects remain solid. As older mechanics retire, too, entry-level positions regularly open up for a younger cadre.