So you have decided to become an aircraft
mechanic? That is wonderful. New pilots are continuously entering the
field, so high-quality aircraft mechanics are always needed. No
airfield can operate without aircraft mechanics, as these men and women
are responsible for keeping the pilots and passengers safe.
Deciding what type of planes you want to maintain is the first thing
you need to do before becoming an aircraft mechanic. It is necessary
for you to have an idea of what you want to do with your mechanic's
license, just like a car mechanic has the choice of working on Porsche
sports cars, Ford trucks, or tractors. Are you interested in working on
commercial airliners, helicopters, military jets, or small personal
aircraft? You should know exactly what your goal is before entering any
program of study, so take the time to discover exactly what you would
like to do.
Secondly, you should decide on a reputable aircraft maintenance school.
Schooling prepares you for successfully completing the oral, written,
and practical exams necessary for an FAA Mechanic Certificate. You
should realize that you must choose a school that is appropriate for
the goals you wish to achieve. If you desire a four year degree, then
attending a four-year university with a good maintenance program is
necessary. Aircraft maintenance programs are usually offered by
universities in conjunction with degrees in aviation management or
aircraft engineering. A public community college or private technical
school may be what you need if you are not interested in obtaining a
degree and merely want to earn your certificate.
Before entering any program of study, you will want to investigate it.
As with any other field, discover the best program that will enable you
to succeed and attain a successful career after graduation. Certified
mechanic schools must offer students at least 1,900 class hours, as
required by FAA standards established by law. School coursework
generally continues for 18 to 24 months and utilizes the same type of
tools and equipment used on the job for training. You will be
supervised by qualified instructors while learning practical on-the-job
skills about 80 percent of the time, rather than merely sitting in a
classroom, if you choose a quality school. The school you choose should
be equipped with modern industry-standard equipment for you to learn
with so that you can gain experience and feel comfortable handling
these tools. Using out-dates tools will be of no benefit to you in the
future. A lecture and a test are not the only things involved in school
for aircraft mechanics. Aircraft mechanics have to completely
understand the workings and build of the aircraft, so you will have to
dismantle and reconstruct entire systems, like the engine. Students in
aircraft maintenance school, through lecture and practical courses,
will learn about all components of an airplane and become experts in
aircraft repair and maintenance.
However, you won't have your license once school is over. FAA
regulations decree you must have 18 months of supervised work in order
to qualify for taking the powerplant or airframe licensing tests, and
30 months of work are required to take the A&P combined test. You
must obtain a notarized statement from your employer or a documented
work time sheet signed by the supervising mechanic in order to qualify
for testing.
You will have the education and experience needed to apply for your
license after countless long work days spent working on all aspects of
planes. If you work hard for it, you will enjoy it. And remember that,
on the airfield, you are the most important person. The lives of the
pilots and passengers are in your hands, and it is your responsibility
to keep them safe. I hope that you will appreciate your new career as
an aircraft mechanic and succeed in all that you do.
About the Author: James Bunter is an avid aviator who knows the
importance of finding a good aircraft mechanic. He needs mechanical
work done on his plane, he goes to TGH Aviation. TGH has Garmin Aviation GPS mechanics who do garmin avionics,
as well as certified A&P mechanics who can tackle any type of
problem. These men work hard and carefully, knowing that your life is
in their hands.
