Aircraft Mechanics and Aircraft Inspectors

## About This Job

### **Aircraft Mechanics**

* maintain, repair, overhaul, modify and test aircraft structural and mechanical and hydraulic systems

### **Aircraft Inspectors**

* inspect aircraft and aircraft systems following manufacture, modification, maintenance, repair or overhaul

### **Aircraft Mechanics and Aircraft Inspectors**

* work for aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul establishments
* also work for airlines, the armed forces and other aircraft operators

## Earnings

### **Hourly Rate**

* High: $45.19/hr
* Median: $34.00/hr
* Low: $20.90/hr

## Duties

### **Aircraft Mechanics**

* troubleshoot aircraft structural, mechanical or hydraulic systems to identify problems and adjust and repair systems according to specifications, technical drawings, manuals and established procedures

* repair and overhaul aircraft structural, mechanical or hydraulic systems
* install or modify aircraft engines and mechanical, hydraulic, flight control, fuel and pneumatic systems
* dismantle air-frames, aircraft engines or other aircraft systems for repair, overhaul and cleaning, and reassemble
* perform and document routine maintenance
* order and maintain inventory of parts and supplies

### **Aircraft Inspectors**

* inspect structural and mechanical systems of aircraft and make sure they meet Transport Canada and company standards of performance and safety

* inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, repair and overhaul, or modification of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to make sure standards and procedures are met
* maintain detailed repair, inspection and certification records and reports

#### **Aircraft mechanics usually specialize in working on**

* specific aircraft systems such as engines, engine accessories, air-frames, propellers, mechanical components or hydraulic systems
* specific kinds of aircraft, such as light aircraft, jet transports and helicopters

## Work Environment

### **Key aspects of the work in this occupation**

* Work takes place in a controlled indoor environment.

* Working with equipment, machinery or power/hand tools may be a source of injury.
* Work may produce enough noise to cause marked distraction or possible loss of hearing.

## Job Requirements

### **Education, training & qualifications**

* Completion of secondary school is required.
* A college diploma in aircraft maintenance or Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program is usually required.
* Several years of on-the-job training are required for aircraft mechanics.
* Aircraft mechanics and inspectors who sign maintenance releases and certify airworthiness require an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's (AME) licence issued by Transport Canada.
* Trade certification for aircraft maintenance engineers is available, but voluntary, in Ontario, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
* Trade certification for aircraft structural technicians is available, but voluntary, in British Columbia.
* Industry certification from the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council for some occupations in this unit group is available, but voluntary.
* Aircraft inspectors require several years of experience as an aircraft mechanic.

### **Skills**

* Manual Dexterity
* Spatial Perception
* Detail-Oriented
* Object-Oriented
* Motor Coordination