Quick Facts: A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) Mechanic
| 2010 Median Pay | $53,320 per year or $25.59 per hour |
| Entry-Level Education | Postsecondary non-degree award |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2010 | 142,300 |
| Job Outlook, 2010-20 | 6% |
| Employment Change, 2010-20 | 9,100 |
What Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics Do:
An A&P mechanic is an airplane mechanic who repairs and services every part and system in an airplane except the instruments. An A&P mechanic must meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) standards and comply with FAA regulations to be authorized to work on airplanes.
How to Become an A&P Mechanic:
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics must be certified by the FAA. Most mechanics learn their trade at an FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School.
Job Outlook:
Employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Job prospects will be best for mechanics who hold an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate and a bachelor’s degree in aircraft maintenance.
Job Description:
An A&P Mechanic inspects, services and repairs airplanes to ensure they’re operating correctly and safely and is responsible for ensuring that airplanes get regular maintenance and that any problems are fixed correctly. A&P Mechanics may work on different parts of an aircraft, such as the engine, landing gear, brakes and pumps and may work with special instruments designed specifically for aircraft maintenance. The A&P Mechanic services different types of aircraft, such as helicopters, jets and propeller-driven airplanes.
This is a Non-Exempt position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Inspects, repairs, and maintains aircraft assembles including: engines, wings, fuselage, tail, landing gear, control cables, propeller and fuel system using specialized tools to repair or replace components.
- Documents work according to specification of a repair station.
- Consults manufacturers’ manuals and aircraft maintenance manuals for specifications to determine the extent of repair or replacement of part(s).
- Inspects engines for defects and corrects any problems according to the specifications of the MFG Maintenance Manual.
- Replaces or repairs worn or damaged components.
- Performs engine replacements.
- Cleans parts, using cleaning solvents for inspection following all MSDS safety data.
- Adjust and/or replace electrical components and aircraft accessories and instruments.
- Inspects, services, and repairs power and hydraulic system. Performs miscellaneous duties to service aircraft, including brake system, flight controls, landing gear service, and checks that all systems are operational.
- Works with current manufacturer inspection checklist or maintenance manual/data and makes appropriate log book entries.
- Comply with safety rules and regulations.
- Adheres to departments (Part 145 Repair Station) procedures and regulations in servicing, repairing and maintaining aircraft and aircraft engines to ensure airworthiness
Knowledge Skills and Abilities Required:
- Must hold a current valid FAA Airframe and Powerplant License (A&P)
- Inspection Authorization and/or FCC License a plus.
- Must be able to read and interpret aircraft maintenance manuals and specifications to determine feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
- Ability to work with little supervision to troubleshoot and repair systems on aircraft airframe and engine(s), including electrical, mechanical and hydraulic.
- Versatility, flexibility, and willingness to work days, nights, weekends, and overtime if needed.
- Ability to perform complex sheet metal repairs and perform aircraft paint including N-numbers, stripes, and aircraft surfaces a major plus.
- Avionics technical experience a plus
- Attention to detail and accuracy to ensure compliance with policy, procedures and regulations.
- Ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
While performing duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to perform procedures and assessments, reach with hands and arms, and speak and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and smell. The employee is required to maintain adequate physical conditioning to be able to perform job duties. Job duties are often performed at high stress levels requiring employee to function effectively and independently while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, patients, customers, or other individuals. The employee may be required to be able to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.