Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aviation Maintenance Technician

🎯 Role Definition

An Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) is a certified maintenance professional responsible for the inspection, troubleshooting, repair, and certification of aircraft systems and components to ensure safe, compliant flight operations. The AMT performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on airframe, engines, landing gear, avionics, and environmental systems while following FAA/EASA regulations, manufacturer maintenance manuals, and organizational standard operating procedures. This role frequently interfaces with flight crews, engineers, quality assurance, and parts logistics to diagnose issues quickly, return aircraft to service, and accurately document work in maintenance tracking systems.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Apprentice or trainee Aircraft Maintenance Technician (A&P trainee)
Military aviation mechanic transitioning to civilian maintenance
Avionics technician or avionics trainee

Advancement To:

Lead Technician / Shift Lead
Base Maintenance Supervisor or Station Maintenance Manager
Quality Assurance Inspector / Certifying Technician
Maintenance Planner or Reliability Engineer
Technical Records / Continuing Airworthiness Manager

Lateral Moves:

Avionics Specialist
Component Repair Technician (APU, landing gear, wheels & brakes)
Technical Sales or Field Service Representative for OEMs

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct thorough pre-flight, post-flight, and daily walk-around inspections to identify discrepancies, log findings, and perform corrective actions in accordance with FAA/EASA and company procedures, ensuring aircraft are airworthy and released to service.
Execute scheduled line and base maintenance tasks including A-checks, B-checks, and more extensive C/D-check tasks by following manufacturer maintenance manuals, structural repair manuals (SRM), and airworthiness directives (ADs) to maintain regulatory compliance.
Diagnose complex mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and avionics faults using schematics, wiring diagrams, test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes), borescopes, and fault isolation procedures to determine root cause and required corrective action.
Perform engine and APU inspections, borescope inspections, routine servicing, and replacement of consumables in accordance with engine manufacturer procedures and torque/fastener specifications to preserve engine life and performance.
Remove, install, test, and troubleshoot avionics systems including communication, navigation, transponders, TCAS, weather radar, flight management systems (FMS), and electronic flight instrument systems (EFIS), ensuring software and database currency.
Complete structural inspections and repairs to airframe composite and metallic components, including corrosion control, composite patching, riveting, and sealant application while complying with SRM repair limits and repair approval processes.
Perform landing gear maintenance, including inspection, overhaul, component replacement, leak checks, alignment, and functional testing of extension/retraction systems and anti-skid units to maintain safe operation during takeoff and landing.
Conduct functional checks, leak checks, and pressure checks on aircraft environmental control systems (air conditioning, pressurization), fuel systems, and oxygen systems to ensure passenger comfort and regulatory compliance.
Troubleshoot and repair electrical power generation and distribution, circuit breakers, bus ties, batteries, and start systems; verify proper operation after maintenance and document results in the maintenance logbook.
Use authorized tooling, calibrated measurement equipment, and test benches to repair or bench-test components off-aircraft and coordinate with component repair vendors for life-limited parts, rotable exchanges, and non-routine repairs.
Interpret and apply airworthiness directives (ADs), service bulletins (SBs), engineering orders, and company engineering approvals; coordinate with Engineering/Quality for repair approval when deviations or technical requests (TRs) are required.
Prepare, maintain, and ensure accuracy of maintenance records, logbooks, work orders, and electronic maintenance tracking systems (CAMP, AMOS, TRAX, Ramco), providing clear descriptions of work performed and certifying entries per regulatory requirements.
Perform troubleshooting and rectification of in-flight reported defects and deferred items by prioritizing safety-critical issues and applying Minimum Equipment List (MEL) procedures when applicable to minimize aircraft downtime.
Conduct rigging, alignment, and control surface adjustments (flaps, slats, ailerons, elevators, rudders) using precise measurements and jigs to ensure correct flight control geometry and adherence to manufacturer tolerances.
Execute corrosion inspections, preventive maintenance tasks, and surface treatments; implement recommendations to protect structure and components from environmental degradation and to extend structural life.
Participate in aircraft weight and balance tasks, including installing or removing equipment, ensuring accurate documentation and calculations for safe aircraft loading and center-of-gravity limits.
Verify and maintain life-limited parts, time-controlled components, and consumables; track usage cycles and coordinate replacements to meet continuing airworthiness requirements and minimize regulatory exposure.
Coordinate with line operations, dispatch, and flight crew to provide timely maintenance updates, estimated times to return-to-service (RTR), and to support AOG (aircraft on ground) recovery activities with urgency and clear communication.
Support maintenance quality assurance audits and internal process improvements by implementing standard work practices, participating in root cause analyses, and following corrective action plans to prevent recurrence.
Train and mentor junior technicians and apprentices on safe practices, troubleshooting techniques, proper use of tools, and documentation standards to build team capability and ensure consistent maintenance quality.
Maintain inventory control and parts requisition activities by accurately recording parts used, issuing squawks for missing items, and coordinating with purchasing and stores to ensure timely availability of critical spares.
Adhere to all safety, environmental, and hazardous materials handling procedures (HUMP/HAZMAT), including disposal of hazardous fluids and proper handling of batteries, fuels, and chemicals in accordance with regulations.
Support ferry flights, engine runs, and functional check flights by preparing the aircraft, briefing flight crews, and ensuring all maintenance activities necessary for safe operations are completed and properly documented.

Secondary Functions

Assist Engineering and Reliability teams with trend analysis of recurring defects, contributing technician observations and field data to improve maintenance programs and reduce unscheduled events.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize maintenance processes, reduce turn times, and enhance parts/materials management while maintaining compliance with aviation regulations.
Support regulatory compliance activities such as preparation for internal and external audits, gathering documentation, and implementing corrective actions identified during inspections.
Provide technical input and feedback to procurement and supply chain on part substitutions, alternate source approvals, and obsolescence mitigation for legacy systems.
Engage in cross-functional projects such as cabin refurbishments, avionics retrofits, or modifications by supporting installations and coordinating post-modification inspections and paperwork.
Act as a liaison with OEM field representatives and external MRO vendors for warranty repairs, field service visits, and engineering troubleshooting when supplier support is required.
Maintain current knowledge of industry best practices, FAA/EASA regulatory changes, and manufacturer service information by attending training, reading technical publications, and completing recurrent training.
Support emergency response procedures for maintenance incidents and safety occurrences, providing factual statements, log entries, and participating in follow-up investigations as required.
Provide accurate maintenance briefings for turnover to subsequent shifts, ensuring continuity of work and clear ownership of open discrepancies to minimize miscommunication.
Contribute to training material development and lead toolbox talks focused on human factors, fatigue management, and safety-critical procedural adherence.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification, or EASA Part-66 B1/B2 (or in-progress) — certified ability to inspect, sign, and certify maintenance releases.
Deep knowledge of airframe systems, powerplant systems, avionics, landing gear, hydraulics, pneumatics, environmental control systems, and fuel systems with the ability to troubleshoot across disciplines.
Proficiency with maintenance tracking and technical records systems such as AMOS, CAMP, TRAX, Ramco, CHARM, or IFS for accurate documentation and compliance reporting.
Ability to read and interpret aircraft maintenance manuals (AMM), structural repair manuals (SRM), wiring diagrams, IPCs (Illustrated Parts Catalog), maintenance planning documents, and service bulletins.
Competence using precision maintenance tools and test equipment: torque wrenches, multimeters, oscilloscopes, borescopes, hydraulic test stands, and bench testers for electrical and avionics components.
Experience performing non-destructive inspection (NDI) techniques such as dye penetrant, eddy current, ultrasonic, or visual inspections and understanding of inspection acceptance criteria.
Familiarity with regulatory frameworks: FAA FARs (e.g., Part 43, Part 145 where applicable), EASA regulations, MEL/CDL procedures, airworthiness directive compliance, and certification documentation requirements.
Practical experience with engine/APU removal/installation procedures, borescope inspections, and compliance with engine manufacturer service bulletins and overhauls.
Knowledge of human factors, maintenance error management, and safety management system (SMS) principles to reduce incident risk and enhance operational safety.
Competence in aircraft weight & balance calculations, rigging, control surface adjustment, and structural repair techniques for both metallic and composite structures.
Basic avionics software/database management skills including FMS database updates, software installs, and verification of avionics versions per OEM instructions.
Ability to perform leak checks, pressure differential checks, and operational tests for pneumatic and hydraulic systems along with correct use of test equipment and gauges.

Soft Skills

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to diagnose root causes quickly and propose practical repair solutions under time pressure.
Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills for accurate logbook entries, maintenance release notes, and cross-shift briefings.
Team player mindset with demonstrated ability to collaborate across operations, engineering, QA, and supply chain to meet operational targets.
Detail-oriented and meticulous organizational skills to ensure compliance with regulatory documentation, tooling control, and parts traceability.
Ability to remain calm and decisive during AOG events or safety incidents while prioritizing safety and regulatory compliance.
Adaptability to changing schedules, overnight shifts, standby rosters, and rapid re-prioritization of tasks in a dynamic airline or MRO environment.
Commitment to continuous learning, attending recurrent training and OEM courses to maintain currency on new aircraft types and systems.
Strong personal accountability and integrity when certifying work and managing safety-critical documentation.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with strong coursework in math, physics, and technical trades; completion of a recognized aircraft maintenance technician program or military aircraft maintenance experience.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or certificate in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aerospace Maintenance, or a related technical field from an FAA-certified Part 147 school or equivalent.
Additional courses or certifications in avionics, composites repair, NDT, or manufacturer-specific type training.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aerospace Engineering Technology
Avionics / Electrical Systems
Mechanical Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1 to 7+ years of aviation maintenance experience; line maintenance technicians often start with 1–3 years, while base or specialized roles usually require 3–7+ years.

Preferred:

3+ years of experience on the specific aircraft type or within the same family (narrowbody / regional / turboprop / widebody).
Demonstrated experience with both line and base maintenance tasks, engine/APU work, and avionics troubleshooting.
Prior exposure to an airline, Part 145 MRO, or OEM environment with documented experience using maintenance tracking systems and complying with ADs and SBs.