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Do you have what it takes to be an aircraft mechanic?

So you are interested in becoming an aircraft mechanic, perhaps you have always been intrigued by aviation. If so, you may be wondering whether or not you can cut it as an aircraft mechanic. I mean, after all, this is not Grandma’s van that we are fixing here, this is an advanced plane capable of carrying hundreds of passengers.

Let me put your mind at ease. Sure, being an aircraft mechanic comes with a lot of responsibility and a certain amount of stress – this is no secret. But that stress can be managed by following the proper procedure while maintenance is being performed. All airplanes come with a set of procedures to perform various tasks that must be followed.

It is also true that some people are simply better airplane mechanics than others. Not all mechanics are the same. This is good because multiple skills are required to keep a plane safe. Every mechanic has strong and weak areas. Structural mechanics, for example, or sheet metal mechanics, can work magic when it comes to forming aluminum and making structural repairs. They see the plane as sheets of aluminum, all attached with rivets. These technicians must have a good eye and a steady hand. The old saying “Measure twice, cut once” it certainly applies here. Sheet metal mechanics can earn a very good salary once they perfect the art. Avionics or aircraft electricians is another area of ​​aircraft maintenance that requires a special set of skills. These technicians must be able to read and interpret the wiring diagrams and installation drawings. If you’ve ever looked at an airplane wiring diagram, you’ll see how difficult it can be. These mechanics can trace a broken wire in the hundreds of miles of wiring inside a modern aircraft without blinking. Ask an avionics mechanic to do structural mechanic work and they will most likely no as the result.

Other useful skills

There are other skills or personality traits that are also useful as an aircraft mechanic. The willingness to leave your ego at the door. Being an airplane mechanic means that you will get something wrong at some point. It’s nothing personal, it’s in the interest of safety. Since we are talking about safety, another important skill to have as an aircraft mechanic is the willingness to ask for help. Whether you are a new or experienced mechanic, never be afraid to ask for help. There is nothing wrong with admitting that you are unfamiliar with a task; in fact, it is your duty to tell management that you are in fact unfamiliar. This way they can put you in touch with another mechanic who has performed the task and teach you, along with reading acceptable maintenance manuals, how to perform the task correctly. Another skill they don’t teach at A & amp; P is to listen. If the pilot has any complaints about the aircraft, make sure you fully understand the issue before proceeding. If you can, ask him questions and, most importantly, listen to what he is saying. Aircraft troubleshooting can be frustrating, so make sure you have all the information available.

So you don’t have to be a master’s degree in each and every facet of aircraft maintenance. There are areas in which most people naturally excel and therefore gravitate towards those areas. As long as you have a genuine interest in aviation and are safety oriented, being an aircraft mechanic shouldn’t be a problem. Almost everything else can be taught or learned from experience over time. Those who are not interested in aviation and just looking to earn a big salary, should look for another job. That is not to say that you cannot earn a decent living working on an airplane because, believe me, you can. This industry can be challenging to enter without experience. Many mechanics struggle for the first few years until they settle down. This can be a very rewarding career with a lot of room for opportunity, but that doesn’t happen overnight. Being an aircraft mechanic requires a lifelong dedication to safety and a willingness to learn new things throughout your career.

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