A&P MECHANIC CAREERS

This guide provides a comprehensive roadmap for navigating the journey from an aspiring technician to a fully certificated Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic. In the world of aviation, the A&P certificate is more than just a license; it is a federal grant of trust, authorizing you to maintain, repair, and sign off on the airworthiness of aircraft.

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1. Understanding the Role: What is an A&P Mechanic?

An A&P Mechanic is a technician certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to perform maintenance on the two primary sections of an aircraft:

• Airframe: The fuselage, wings, tail, landing gear, and control surfaces.
• Powerplant: The engines (piston or turbine), propellers, and associated systems.

Unlike many automotive roles, an A&P license carries significant legal weight. When you sign a logbook entry, you are stating that the aircraft is safe for flight. This requires a high degree of integrity, attention to detail, and a commitment to “the book”—following the manufacturer’s manuals and FAA regulations without exception.

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2. The Three Primary Paths to Certification

To earn your A&P, you must meet the requirements set forth in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 65. There are three distinct ways to gain the experience necessary to test.

Path A: FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools (Part 147)

This is the most common route. You enroll in a structured program at a college or trade school that is “Part 147 certified.”

• Duration: Typically 18 to 24 months.
• Pros: Structured curriculum, hands-on labs, and a direct pipeline to testing. Once you graduate, you are automatically eligible to take the FAA exams.
• Cons: Tuition costs can range from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on the institution.

Path B: On-the-Job Training (OJT) / Military Experience

You can “apprentice” under a certified mechanic or use your experience from the military.

• Civilian OJT: You must document 18 months of practical experience for a single rating (Airframe or Powerplant) or 30 months for both. You must keep a detailed log of every task performed.
• Military: If your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) falls under an approved list (like a jet engine mechanic or crew chief), your time in service counts.
• Pros: You get paid while you learn.
• Cons: It can be harder to find a shop willing to mentor you, and you must study the theory (physics, math, regulations) on your own.

Path C: The “Crash Course” (For Experienced Techs Only)

If you have the 30 months of experience but lack the certificate, many “prep schools” offer 2-week intensive courses to help you pass the written, oral, and practical exams. This is not a way to learn the trade; it is a way to pass the tests.

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3. The Testing Process: The “Three-Headed Monster”

To become a certificated mechanic, you must pass three distinct types of examinations.

The Written Tests

There are three computer-based exams (General, Airframe, and Powerplant). You must score at least 70% on each.

1. General: Covers math, physics, weight and balance, and FAA regulations.
2. Airframe: Covers sheet metal, hydraulics, electrical systems, and airframe structures.
3. Powerplant: Covers reciprocating engines, turbine engines, lubrication, and ignition systems.

The Oral and Practical (O&P) Exams

After passing the written tests, you will meet with a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) for a day-long (or multi-day) evaluation.

• Oral: The DME will ask you verbal questions for every subject area. If you can’t explain how a system works, you fail that section.
• Practical: You must demonstrate “hands-on” proficiency. The DME might ask you to safety-wire a bolt, time a magneto, or troubleshoot an electrical circuit.

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4. Career Specializations and Sectors

Once you have your certificate, the industry is vast. Where you work will dictate your lifestyle and your paycheck.

Sector	Focus	Environment
Major Airlines	Large transport aircraft (Boeing/Airbus)	Fast-paced, shift work, high pay, flight benefits.
Corporate/Business Aviation	Private jets (Gulfstream, Global, Citation)	High-end service, pristine hangars, often “on-call” for flight crews.
General Aviation (GA)	Small Cessnas, Pipers, and Beechcraft	Slower pace, wide variety of tasks, usually Monday–Friday.
MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul)	Heavy maintenance and deep inspections	Factory-like setting, repetitive but deep technical work.
Helicopters (Rotorcraft)	Specialized airframes and transmissions	Often field-based, supporting medical or utility operations.

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5. Tools of the Trade: Your First Investment

Unlike many professions, A&P mechanics are generally expected to provide their own hand tools. A beginner’s “entry-level” box can cost between $2,000 and $5,000.

Essential Starter List:

• Safety Wire Pliers: The most iconic tool in aviation.
• Precision Measuring Tools: Micrometers and calipers.
• Wrenches & Sockets: Specifically 12-point sockets, as aviation hardware differs from automotive.
• Torque Wrenches: Everything in aviation has a specific torque value.
• Flashlight: You spend 40% of your life looking into dark holes.

Pro Tip: Don’t buy the most expensive toolbox first. Spend your money on the highest-quality tools inside the box.

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6. Advancing Your Career

Getting the A&P is just the beginning. To reach the top of the pay scale, you should pursue:

The Inspection Authorization (IA)

After being an A&P for three years, you can test for your IA. This allows you to perform Annual Inspections and sign off on major repairs and alterations (Form 337). This is a massive boost to your marketability and earning potential.

Avionics Certifications

Modern aircraft are flying computers. Understanding digital bus systems and glass cockpits is essential. Pursuing an NCATT (National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies) certification in avionics will make you an “all-in-one” technician.

Model-Specific Training (Gen-Fam)

Manufacturers like Bombardier, Boeing, or Rolls-Royce offer “General Familiarization” (Gen-Fam) courses. These are 40-hour to 80-hour classes on a specific aircraft type. Having a “B737NG Gen-Fam” or a “Global 5000 Vision” certificate on your resume is a ticket to high-paying jobs.

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7. The Lifestyle and Compensation

Work Environment

• Physicality: You will be crawling in fuel tanks, climbing on wings, and working in extreme weather (if you’re on the “line”).
• Schedule: Expect to work nights, weekends, and holidays for the first few years, especially at major airlines.

Salary Expectations

• Entry Level: $25–$35 per hour.
• Mid-Career: $40–$55 per hour.
• Senior/Major Airline: $60+ per hour (with overtime, many senior techs earn over $150,000 annually).

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8. Navigating Federal Regulations

Aviation is heavily regulated. You must become intimately familiar with:

• Part 43: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration.
• Part 91: General Operating and Flight Rules.
• Airworthiness Directives (ADs): Mandatory repairs issued by the FAA that must be complied with for an aircraft to remain legal to fly.

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9. Conclusion: The “Golden Age” of Maintenance

We are currently in a massive technician shortage. With a wave of retirements and a growing global fleet, there has never been a better time to enter the field. The barrier to entry is high—requiring thousands of hours of study and rigorous testing—but the reward is a career where you are a vital link in the chain of flight safety.

Every time you watch a plane take off, you’ll know that it is only in the air because a mechanic did their job right.