Aircraft Mechanic Career
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The perks of a job in aviation are hard to beat: usually, airline employees can fly for free. If you love to travel and think you can apply your knack for machinery to airplane engines, you may want to get trained as an Aircraft Mechanic.
True, air travel and the aviation industry are still recovering from the downturn in travel after 9/11. But in September 2007, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics announced that airline passenger traffic was up 2.7% from 2006 and passenger airline employment in July 2007 was up 2.6% from July 2006. Career opportunities in air travel exist for highly qualified people.
Prospects are excellent for aircraft mechanics, especially at small commuter and regional airlines. Some types of aircraft mechanics are:
- Airframe mechanic: Works on all parts of aircraft except engines, propellers, and instruments
- Power plant mechanic: Specializes in airplane engines
- A&P mechanic: Has both airframe and power plant skills
- Avionics technician: Works on aircraft instruments
Taking the extra time and effort to train in both airframe and power plant technology (becoming an A&P mechanic) usually pays off in terms of job opportunities.
The ticket to these jobs is completing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified training programs and obtaining FAA certification in your area(s) of interest. In 2004, the median hourly wage for aircraft mechanics was $21.77.
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Sources:
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition; Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. Department of Transportation