Airplane Mechanic Requirements

Aircraft mechanics perform essential maintenance, inspections and repairs on airplanes and helicopters. These professionals fix aircraft engines, repair airplane sheet metal and perform checks on aircraft electrical systems. Federal Aviation Administration-licensed aircraft mechanics find jobs with corporate flight departments, aircraft maintenance firms, airlines, universities and fixed-base operators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that aircraft mechanics made a median hourly wage of $24.71 as of May 2008.

Types

• Federal aviation regulations require an individual to have an FAA mechanic license with either an airframe or powerplant rating in order to work as an aircraft mechanic. A person who holds a mechanic certificate with an airframe rating may perform maintenance on an aircraft's external and internal structure, such as sheet metal, rib spars and avionics, while a person holding a powerplant rating may work on an aircraft's engine components. Those with both ratings may perform both airframe and powerplant maintenance duties.

Time Frame

• In order to become certified, a prospective mechanic must enroll in one of 170 United States-based airframe and powerplant training schools. These schools provide 1,900 class-hours of in-depth instruction on aircraft structure, engine function, maintenance methods and federal aviation regulations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students spend approximately 12 to 24 months enrolled in these programs before graduating. Students can substitute 18 months maintaining airframes or powerplants and 30 months working on both for the above training requirements.

Education

• In addition to aircraft mechanic training, an aviation maintenance professional must also have a solid educational background. While many employers do not specifically require a four-year college degree, it may be helpful in obtaining an aircraft maintenance position. Aviation companies such as airlines and flight departments look for candidates who have done coursework in physics, mathematics, electronics, technical drawing and computer science. Additionally, an airframe mechanic should have a solid background in writing and composition.

Experience

• Aircraft mechanics must keep their skills sharp in order to retain their licenses. These professionals must log a minimum of 1,000 hours of work experience during a 24-calendar-month period to retain their FAA mechanic license. If a mechanic does not meet the above requirement, he may elect to take an FAA-sanctioned refresher course to renew his mechanic license. Additionally, a professional aircraft mechanic must take a minimum of 16 hours of training courses every 24 calendar months in order to keep his license.

Considerations

• According to the FAA, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and must read, write and speak English in order to earn an aircraft mechanic license. Additionally, prospective aircraft mechanics must pass an FAA-sanctioned written test, verbal test and practical examination in order to gain an aircraft mechanic license. Although a person may possess only an airframe or powerplant certificate, airlines prefer to hire mechanics with both certificates. Many employers require mechanics to possess proficient computer skills.