What To Do Now? AIrcraft Mechanic Training

Everyone wants to think they're flying on a safe and maintained aircraft, and it's due to aircraft mechanics that travelers can breathe easy. With proficiency in prevention, maintenance, and repair, airline mechanics are technicians that keep airline equipment in top shape. If you are good with your hands, enjoy equipment, and are technically minded, you might like to explore career retraining, whether through traditional classes or online aircraft mechanic training courses, to improve your skills for this field.

Career Skills for the Aircraft Mechanic

Working primarily in preventative maintenance, aircraft mechanics inspect and repair landing gear, instruments, engines, brakes, accessories, and more. Generally speaking, there are three types of aircraft mechanics: airframe mechanics, power plant mechanics, and avionics technicians. Airframe mechanics are typically trained to work on any part of an airplane except instruments, propellers, and power plants. Power plant mechanics are traditionally trained to work on engines. However, combination airframe-and-power plant mechanics are equipped to work on every part of a plane, except the instruments. The avionics systems--used for navigation, weather radar, and communications--are usually maintained and repaired by avionics technicians who are trained to work with these complex systems.

If you are considering career retraining for one of these aircraft mechanic positions, then you should be able to work with your hands, follow instructions, and be detail-oriented. Other career skills include the ability to diagnose problems, write clear reports, and complete work in a timely fashion.

Career Advice: Education to Retrain and Improve Your Skills

Today, there are 170 schools accredited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to train aircraft mechanics. Career retraining typically takes between 18 to 24 months or a minimum of 1,900 class hours. Online aircraft mechanic training courses can be a great way to start your career as you get a background in mathematics, chemistry, electronics, computer science, and more.

However, today's aircraft mechanics trade schools are also starting to put additional emphasis on technological developments to prepare students to work in tomorrow's economy--such as graphite, aviation electronics, composite materials, and more.