Choosing Which Type of Aircraft Mechanic You Will Become

It is imperative that you understand your career choices before entering any program of study. For example, a decision must be made whether math majors want to instruct, work for NASA, or become bookkeepers. Someone expecting to become an aircraft mechanic should also be well educated about planes and what licenses are in high demand. It is more difficult to become an aircraft mechanic than an auto mechanic, so pay attention to the following information on the business of aircraft mechanics.

A mechanic who is FAA certified can select either a power plant rating or an airframe rating. An airframe rating is determined by all parts of the body and structure of the plane. A power plant rating is part of the engine specification of aircraft. You must complete 18 months of hands-on plane maintenance to even be able to apply to take the tests if you want one of these certifications. You must either have the signature of the supervising mechanic or a notarized statement from your employer to confirm the time worked. Maintenance work can only be performed after you complete a certified program of study or aircraft maintenance school.

If you want both certificates, you can opt to take a different test after working for thirty months. You will be elevated the the level of A&P mechanic, qualified to work on the entire airplane with the exception of the instrument panel (aka avionics). It is quite common among mechanics to obtain both certificates, and most of them hold A&P certificates.

Avionics repair is a highly specialized field which is worth all of the hard work. Avionics concentrates on the electronic systems and instruments of the airplane and, ironically, many aircraft mechanics have not trained in this area. The focus of avionics technicians is on a plane's electronics and instrumentation, areas in which most aircraft mechanics are not trained. More licenses are needed for these duties.

The aviation industry, including general aviation, is heading more towards avionics, and industry experts forecast that this will be reflected in the job market for years to come. If a perspective employer sees on your résumé that you are trained in both aviation mechanics and avionics, you can rest assured your name will be at the top of the list of people he will hire because he will be getting two technicians for the price of one. Avionics oftentimes consists of a knowledge of the the most current technology and having the ability to apply this technology as a mechanic.

There is a specific field for each aircraft mechanic to work in. You can choose from several different types of workplaces such as aircraft manufacturing facilities, airfields, and the military. While the majority of aircraft mechanics are generalists, repairing all of the systems on a variety of aircraft, others are specialists, working only on specifics parts.

Before deciding on a career as an aviation mechanic, please understand that maintenance will be a daily requirement that will consume most of your time. FAA certification standards require continuous training, particularly if you have an A&P certificate. So be sure you log in at least 1,000 hours of mechanical work every two years or you will have to take refresher courses.

While you are deciding to become an aircraft mechanic you should know all of the possible opportunities. Your educational and certification requirements will depend on which field of study you wish to pursue and what types of aircraft you want to work on. Enter your field only after cautiously pondering it, making sure you have made a knowledgeable decision.