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Aircraft Mechanic
TransportationYou maintain and repair airplanes, which means every bolt you tighten and every wire you connect has hundreds of lives depending on it. You'll inspect airframes, troubleshoot avionics, and overhaul engines in hangars that are either freezing or boiling. The FAA watches everything you do, every repair gets documented, and 'close enough' is a phrase that does not exist in aviation maintenance.
Salary Range
Low
$48k
Median
$70k
High
$100k
10-Year Growth
faster than average
US Workers
148K
Education
FAA A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) certificate from an approved school + ongoing training
Environment
both
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) maintenance procedures
- ▸Avionics troubleshooting and wiring repair
- ▸Turbine and piston engine overhaul
- ▸Aircraft structural repair (sheet metal, composites)
- ▸NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) techniques
- ▸Maintenance tracking software (AMOS, TRAX)
- ▸FAA regulatory compliance and documentation
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Extreme attention to detail
- ▸Safety-first discipline
- ▸Technical documentation habits
- ▸Accountability and integrity
- ▸Composure under schedule pressure
What you'll actually do
- 01Inspect aircraft systems and structures following maintenance manuals that leave zero room for improvisation
- 02Troubleshoot avionics, hydraulics, and engine issues using diagnostic equipment and hard-won experience
- 03Replace components and parts with the documentation rigor of someone who knows the FAA audits everything
- 04Perform scheduled maintenance checks that range from quick overnight inspections to multi-week overhauls
- 05Sign off on work with your A&P license, personally certifying that the aircraft is safe to fly
- 06Work night shifts and weekends because planes need to be fixed when they're not flying, which is when you'd rather be sleeping
Related Shifts
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