Aircraft Mechanic Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post presents detailed information on the aircraft mechanic job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities that they commonly perform.

What Does an Aircraft Mechanic Do?

The aircraft mechanic job description involves inspecting the aircraft engine, installing certain parts and instruments on the aircraft, and replacing broken parts.

It also entails checking on the condition of the aircraft and its components at certain intervals.

Aircraft mechanic performs various maintenance tasks for both military purposes and for civilian purposes (e.g., maintaining an aircraft in perfect working condition to keep it flying).

They supervise and train personnel that perform aircraft maintenance.

Managing and controlling the other workers that do aircraft maintenance too is also part of their duties.

They maintain a certain level of safety and protection at all times so as to prevent any damages being done to the aircraft (e.g., ensuring that only qualified personnel perform maintenance on the aircraft).

It is the duty of the aircraft mechanic to work with the pilots, other maintenance personnel and other departments in order to keep the aircraft flying properly.

This position train and monitor other workers that perform aircraft maintenance by performing tasks such as checking and inspecting equipment, setting up new procedures, making sure new materials are prepared correctly, etc..

Another duty of the aircraft mechanic is developing and implementing new maintenance policies, procedures and methods that always keep the aircraft in perfect working condition.

They ensure that aircrafts are in top condition by performing tasks such as measuring, installing, disassembling and inspecting the different parts of the aircraft.

These include landing gear, wheels, engines, and propellers.

More on Aircraft Mechanic Job Description

Aircraft mechanics perform tasks such as checking on the condition of instruments and navigation systems to make sure that they are working within safety standards.

In addition to maintaining an aircraft’s performance, the mechanic also checks on its weight to ensure that it is sufficiently light enough to fly properly.

These include monitoring how much weight a new part adds.

Aircraft mechanics work with other people in maintenance departments to ensure that they have everything they need.

For example, parts, equipment, and materials.

They use specifications to make sure that the parts are properly prepared (e.g., a weight check ensures that the new part is of acceptable weight).

Other duties of an aircraft mechanic include coordinating with other departments within maintenance department.

These include making sure the supply of materials and parts are available.

Aircraft Mechanic Job Description Sample/Example/Template

The aircraft mechanic job description includes the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Inspects, repairs, and maintains aircraft parts using tools and equipment
• Files paper work reports and maintains log books of the assigned duties and activities
• Handles any emergency or emergency response situation that involves aircraft mechanical components
• Maintains aircraft records, logs, and manuals of the total number of hours worked on each machine or component, to include all preventive maintenance procedures carried out on each component during a specific period of time
• Trains and assists in training new student aircraft mechanics to develop technical, mechanical, and hand skills proficiency
• Works under the supervision of an airframe machine technician or senior airframe mechanic
• Keeps supervisor informed of all problems or issues encountered during the day, with proper documentation of the event and corrective action taken
• Keeps supervisor informed on progress and/or schedule delays in completing special projects or tasks as directed by supervisor that are outside normal schedule requirements
• Checks reports to ensure that all parts and equipment are accounted for and properly documented by serial numbers
• Performs physical inspections and testing of aircraft components and systems to determine required maintenance actions
• Keeps supervisor informed of the status or progress of all special projects, training, or other assignments.

Aircraft Mechanic Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before in the role of an aircraft mechanic and are now making a new resume/CV, you can apply content from the above job description sample in making your resume’s Professional Experience section.

You can create a compelling Professional Experience section for your resume by highlighting the duties and responsibilities from the aircraft mechanic job description example above, which you have actually performed.

This will show that you have been successful performing the aircraft mechanic’s role, which can greatly boost your chances of being hired, especially if the new job that you are seeking requires someone with some aircraft mechanic work experience.

Aircraft Mechanic Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for a Successful Career

Here are major requirements that you may be expected to meet to be hired for the aircraft mechanic role:

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record (no more than three moving violations, including accidents within the past 36 months)
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and work off of ladders
• Read and interpret technical manuals, service bulletins, and aircraft blueprints, as well as other instructions and safety rules/procedures printed on various shop equipment and tooling systems
• Ability to work in a safe manner at all times; follow all policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and instructions from supervisor or other management
• Working knowledge of all aircraft mechanical systems, flight controls leading edges and flight surfaces, instrument systems, and aircraft electrical/plumbing systems
• Strong communication skills as well as verbal and written skills to convey information in a clear and concise manner to management personnel at all levels
• Skilled in the use of computers (Word, Excel) for maintaining data that shows the progress of projects assigned or special activities managed by this individual
• Skilled in using industry standard shop equipment (specialty tools), hand tools, power tools along with measuring instruments such as micrometers, calipers, torque wrenches and other precision measuring devices commonly used in aircraft repair procedures
• Ability to work as a team member while performing assigned tasks in order to accomplish the project
• Must be able to work in a team environment and cooperate with other individuals in performing assigned activities
• Ability to work overtime hours when required and/or requested by management
• Possess ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written with other company employees, supervisors and customers.

Aircraft Mechanic Salary

The average annual salary for an aircraft mechanic is $52,949 (glassdoor.com) and $73,776 (indeed.com).

According to Indeed, the best paying cities are:  San Diego, CA, $83,029; San Antonio, TX, $81,287; Houston, TX, $79,762; Wichita, KS, $76,298; and Fort Worth, TX, $75,755 per year.

According to zippia.com, there are now about 67,910 aviation mechanics working in the United States.

Women make up 6.9% of all aviation mechanics, whereas men make up 93.1%.

A hired aviation mechanic is 42 years old on average.

White (63.7%) is the most frequent ethnicity among aviation technicians followed by Hispanic or Latino (17.9%).

Black or African American comes next with 8.4% followed by Asian (6.6%).

Conclusion

The aircraft mechanic helps maintain aircraft in good flying condition. They inspect, test, and repair aircraft systems/components to make them airworthy for safe operation.

This post is useful to individuals interested in the aircraft mechanic career.

They will be able to learn all they need to know about the aircraft mechanic duties and responsibilities, and so be able to decide if it’s the right career for them.

It is also helpful to recruiters/employers needing to make detailed job description for the aircraft mechanic position in their organizations.

They can apply the sample aircraft mechanic job description provided on this page in making one for the organizations.