Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aviation Mechanic

🎯 Role Definition

An Aviation Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant / A&P) is responsible for performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, inspections, repairs, and troubleshooting on fixed-wing and/or rotary-wing aircraft to ensure airworthiness, regulatory compliance, and safe operations. This role requires hands-on mechanical and avionics skills, meticulous documentation in maintenance logs and technical records, and the ability to interpret manufacturer maintenance manuals and regulatory requirements (FAA, EASA, or applicable civil aviation authority). The Aviation Mechanic works closely with maintenance control, quality assurance, pilots, and safety teams to deliver mission-ready aircraft.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aviation Maintenance Technician School (Aviation Maintenance Technology diploma)
Military aircraft maintenance experience (aircraft mechanic)
Apprentice or junior technician role in an MRO or airline maintenance department

Advancement To:

Lead Aviation Mechanic / Shift Lead
Maintenance Supervisor / Base Maintenance Manager
Quality Assurance Inspector / Certifying Mechanic
Engine Specialist, Avionics Specialist, or Structures Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Avionics Technician
Airframe Structures/Sheet Metal Technician
Component Repair Technician
Technical Records / Maintenance Planner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform and document detailed pre-flight, transit, daily, weekly, and scheduled aircraft inspections in accordance with company programs, manufacturer maintenance manuals (AMM), and regulatory requirements to ensure continued airworthiness.
Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and flight-control systems using appropriate schematics, wiring diagrams, and fault isolation procedures to restore aircraft to service.
Conduct engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) inspections, borescope inspections, minor overhauls, component replacements, and functional tests while adhering to torque specifications and manufacturer procedures.
Repair or replace structural components, perform rivet, sheet-metal and composite repairs, and complete structural inspections in compliance with engineering approvals and structural repair manuals.
Execute avionics removal, replacement, testing, and line-replacement-unit (LRU) swaps for communication, navigation, and transponder systems, coordinating with certified avionics personnel where required.
Complete preventative maintenance tasks such as lubrication, filter changes, brake servicing, tire changes, and corrosion control to extend component life and ensure safe operations.
Perform non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection techniques—such as dye penetrant, ultrasonic, eddy current, and visual inspections—to detect cracks, corrosion, and material defects per NDT procedures.
Interpret and apply airworthiness directives (ADs), service bulletins (SBs), and engineering orders; verify compliance and annotate logbooks and maintenance tracking systems (CAMP, AMOS, RAMCO, TRAX).
Maintain accurate and compliant technical records, aircraft logbooks, work orders, and maintenance release documentation including FAA 337s, EASA forms, or equivalent regulatory paperwork.
Operate diagnostic equipment and test benches for electrical, hydraulic, fuel, and pneumatic systems and perform troubleshooting using multimeters, oscilloscopes, and specialized test sets.
Disassemble, inspect, repair, and bench-test components such as pumps, actuators, landing gear components, and environmental control system parts to manufacturer standards.
Conduct functional checks and ground runs after maintenance tasks, coordinate engine run-ups, and verify system performance under the supervision of maintenance control or certifying personnel.
Support line maintenance and quick-turn operations by performing rapid troubleshooting, temporary repairs, and ferry-preparation checks to minimize aircraft downtime while maintaining safety.
Collaborate with maintenance planners and supply to identify required parts, line-replaceable units (LRUs), and tooling; request special parts or engineering approvals as necessary to complete repairs.
Follow lockout/tagout procedures, hazardous materials handling, and safety protocols while working with fuels, hydraulics, and batteries, and participate in safety audits and toolbox talks.
Apply weight and balance, rigging, and control-surface alignment procedures to ensure correct aerodynamic performance after repairs or installations.
Install and rig flight controls, actuators, cables, pulleys, and bearings; adjust and verify control system tensions and travel limits as per maintenance manuals.
Support aircraft modifications and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) installations by following engineering data, pre-planning tasks, and executing installations per approved data.
Coordinate with Quality Assurance for inspections, receiving corrective action requests, and implementing root cause fixes for recurring discrepancies to improve maintenance reliability.
Mentor and train junior technicians and apprentices, sharing best practices for troubleshooting, recordkeeping, and regulatory compliance.
Ensure environmental systems (pressurization, air conditioning, and bleed systems) are inspected and repaired to maintain passenger comfort and safety.
Maintain and calibrate ground support equipment (GSE), tools, and test equipment and ensure calibration records are current and available for audits.

Secondary Functions

Maintain organized tool control, inventory personal and shared tooling, and ensure availability of specialty tools and calibration labels to support maintenance activities.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, lean maintenance projects, and reliability programs to reduce turnaround times and unscheduled removals.
Support parts requisition, scrap disposition, and return-to-service paperwork for shop-finished components and liaise with stores for expediting parts.
Assist in preparing aircraft for scheduled heavy maintenance visits, base checks, and major inspections by staging hardware and coordinating tasks with other trades.
Attend safety meetings, airworthiness seminars, and recurrent training sessions to stay current with regulatory changes, new technologies, and company procedures.
Provide technical feedback to engineering teams on recurring defects, potential design improvements, and field performance of components.
Assist customer service and flight crews with technical queries, post-flight defect assessment, and status updates to maintain transparency and customer satisfaction.
Support emergency response and aircraft recovery operations including on-field troubleshooting, ferry prep, and temporary repairs to return aircraft to service safely.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate or equivalent civil aviation authority license (EASA Part-66 B1/B2 preferred).
Proficient in interpreting manufacturer maintenance manuals (AMM), Illustrated Parts Catalogs (IPC), Wiring Diagram Manuals (WDM), and structural repair manuals.
Strong troubleshooting skills for turbine (jet) and reciprocating engines, including borescope inspection and engine trend analysis.
Hands-on experience with airframe structures, composite and sheet-metal repair techniques, riveting, and fabrication.
Knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, landing gear, and flight control systems diagnostics and repair.
Skilled with avionics equipment installation, basic avionics troubleshooting, and familiarity with pitot/static systems and transponder testing.
Experience with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods: dye penetrant, ultrasonic, eddy current, and visual inspection procedures.
Proficiency using maintenance tracking and technical records systems (e.g., CAMP, AMOS, TRAX, Ramco) and completing regulatory maintenance releases.
Competent with electrical system troubleshooting, wiring repair, circuit testing, and use of multimeters and oscilloscopes.
Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and compliance: FARs (FAA), EASA Part-66/145, Airworthiness Directives (ADs), and service bulletin implementation.
Experience performing engine runs, functional tests, rigging, and flight control adjustments with correct use of torque tools and calibration practices.
Ability to read and apply engineering drawings, calibration certificates, and overhaul manuals to component-level repairs.
Knowledge of hazardous materials handling, fuel systems maintenance, and environmental system servicing (APU, bleed air, ECS).

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and high-quality workmanship with a focus on safety and regulatory compliance.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking to diagnose complex aircraft system failures.
Effective written and verbal communication for clear logbook entries, maintenance release notes, and cross-team coordination.
Team player who collaborates well with engineers, QA, pilots, and supply chain personnel in a fast-paced environment.
Time management and prioritization skills to meet tight turnaround times and operational schedules.
Adaptability and resilience when working irregular hours, overnight shifts, or during irregular operations.
Customer-focused attitude when supporting flight crews and external customers with technical updates.
Coaching and mentoring ability to develop junior technicians and maintain collective team competency.
Ethical decision-making and professionalism when handling airworthiness and certification responsibilities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; acceptable combination of education and verified aircraft maintenance experience.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aeronautical Technology, or a related technical field.
Additional certifications or coursework in avionics, NDT, or aircraft composites preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering Technology
Avionics and Electrical Systems
Industrial Trades (Welding, Sheet Metal Fabrication)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–7 years of aircraft maintenance experience (varies by role level: entry, intermediate, senior).

Preferred:

3+ years of line or base maintenance experience on relevant aircraft type(s) (e.g., regional jets, narrow-body, turboprops, helicopters).
Proven experience with FAA/EASA regulatory compliance, AD and SB incorporation, and technical records management.
Prior experience working in an airline, MRO, military, or Part 145 repair station preferred.