Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Aircraft Inspector Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Aircraft Inspector Assistant supports certified aircraft inspectors and maintenance teams to ensure jet aircraft are airworthy, compliant with regulatory requirements (FAA 14 CFR), and safe for return-to-service. This role performs detailed visual and instrument-based inspections on airframe, engine, landing gear and avionics systems, documents findings, prepares inspection reports and logbook entries, assists with non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, and helps drive continuous improvement in inspection processes. The ideal candidate has hands-on aircraft maintenance experience, strong attention to detail, familiarity with inspection tools (borescope, micrometers, calipers, torque wrenches), and a process-oriented mindset for regulatory compliance and quality assurance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) / Apprentice
Aviation Maintenance Technician School Graduate
Maintenance Support / Parts & Logistics Technician

Advancement To:

FAA-Certified Aircraft Inspector / Senior Inspector
Quality Assurance Inspector / Lead Quality Control Specialist
Maintenance Supervisor / Line Maintenance Manager
NDT Technician or Structural Repair Lead

Lateral Moves:

Avionics Technician
Structures / Sheet Metal Technician
Maintenance Planner or Technical Records Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct thorough, methodical visual and tactile inspections of jet airframes, empennage, wings, fuselage, control surfaces, landing gear, and flight control systems to detect cracks, corrosion, deformation, missing fasteners, or other structural anomalies; document findings clearly with photos and measurement data.
Assist FAA-certified inspectors and senior maintenance personnel during pre- and post-maintenance inspections, helping verify corrective actions, ensuring compliance with approved repair procedures, and confirming that all maintenance has been completed before returning the aircraft to service.
Perform and support non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection techniques such as fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI), liquid penetrant inspection (LPI), eddy current, ultrasonic spot checks, and visual borescope inspections under the direction of qualified NDT technicians and inspectors, following company and regulatory procedures.
Use precision inspection tools and test equipment (calipers, micrometers, depth gauges, bore scopes, borescope video capture systems, torque wrenches, tension meters, vernier, and dial indicators) to take accurate dimensional measurements and verify tolerances against manufacturer manuals and engineering drawings.
Inspect engines (hot sections, accessory gearboxes, and external components) and auxiliary power units for leaks, oil consumption issues, foreign object damage (FOD) evidence, and abnormal wear; log findings and escalate any items that may affect flight safety.
Verify parts conformity including part numbers, serial numbers, airworthiness tags, service bulletins, and life-limited parts expiration; cross-reference parts with maintenance releases, technical orders, and vendor documentation to ensure proper installation.
Maintain and update technical records, inspection checklists, logbook entries, maintenance tracking systems (AMMS / MRO software), and compliance documentation in strict accordance with FAA 14 CFR, company quality procedures, and customer requirements.
Prepare detailed inspection reports and corrective action recommendations for maintenance planners and engineers, including annotated photographs, measured values, acceptance criteria, and required follow-up inspection intervals.
Support structural and sheet-metal inspections, including rivet pattern verification, fastener torque checks, cold-working evaluation, and verification of bonded repairs; assist with temporary patching and preparation for permanent repairs under supervision.
Conduct corrosion inspections and treatments: identify corrosion types, document affected areas, apply cleaning and corrosion-inhibiting compounds per manufacturer and maintenance manual procedures, and recommend further structural repair when necessary.
Support functional tests and rigging checks for flight control systems, landing gear extension and retraction cycles, and hydraulic system pressure tests; record results and assist in troubleshooting any discrepancies identified during tests.
Perform borescope inspections of inaccessible areas such as turbine blades, compressor stages, combustion chambers, and hydraulic plumbing; capture and annotate imagery for engine shop or OEM review.
Assist in performing pre-flight and post-flight walk-around inspections for line maintenance operations, identifying and documenting squawks, MEL items, and urgent safety-of-flight discrepancies for fast resolution.
Collaborate with maintenance engineers and planners to interpret service bulletins, airworthiness directives (ADs), structural repair manuals (SRMs), and maintenance manuals (AMM); help ensure AD compliance and track life-limited components.
Support incoming and outgoing quality inspection during heavy maintenance visits and periodic checks (A / B / C / D checks), verifying work scopes, cross-checking sign-offs, and ensuring no discrepancies remain unaddressed prior to release.
Participate in safety investigations and root cause analysis when inspection finds reveal recurring defects; help collect evidence, maintain chain-of-custody for parts removed, and implement corrective actions.
Coordinate with supply chain, parts department, and vendors to obtain approved parts, tooling, and test equipment; assist with part traceability and ensure conformity of vendor-supplied repair components.
Calibrate, maintain, and keep calibration records for inspection gauges and test equipment; ensure inspection tools are within calibration date and report or tag out-of-calibration tools.
Support regulatory and internal audits by preparing inspection documentation, demonstrating inspection processes, and implementing audit remediations under QA direction.
Conduct trend analysis and assist in compiling defect/inspection metrics to support continuous improvement of inspection plans, preventive maintenance tasks, and quality control processes.
Assist in the application and removal of protective coatings, sealants, and paint masks in accordance with painting and corrosion control procedures prior to and after inspection or repair work.
Observe and enforce safety practices, hangar protocols, and FOD prevention measures; ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazard controls are used and documented.
Provide hands-on assistance during aircraft jacking, rigging, towing, and ground support equipment (GSE) operations as required by the inspection team, following SOPs and lift/jacking plans.
Support the training and mentoring of junior technicians and apprentices during on-the-job inspections, sharing best practices and ensuring consistent inspection standards across teams.
Facilitate communication between line maintenance, engineering, and flight crews by preparing concise defect summaries, supporting technical queries, and ensuring timely updates on inspection outcomes.
Help maintain an organized inspection area, manage inspection tagging systems, and ensure removed parts are labelled and stored per company procedures and traceability requirements.
Conduct special inspections in response to service events, hard landings, bird strikes, lightning strikes or other incidents; document impact zones and provide detailed inspection evidence for engineering review.
Assist in updating and maintaining inspection checklists, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and work instructions to reflect OEM revisions and regulatory changes.

Secondary Functions

Support training delivery by preparing materials, demonstration parts, and inspection aids for classroom and on-the-job training sessions.
Participate in continuous improvement projects to streamline inspection workflows, reduce turnaround time, and enhance documentation practices.
Assist with inventory counts for inspection spares and consumables; reorder items and maintain adequate stock levels for inspection activities.
Provide backup support for technical records clerks during peak workload periods, helping with entry and verification of maintenance records.
Support cross-departmental initiatives such as safety campaigns, quality workshops, and schedule coordination meetings with planners and production control.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA regulations and airworthiness compliance (explicit knowledge of 14 CFR; AD and SB tracking).
Familiarity with aircraft maintenance manuals (AMM), structural repair manuals (SRM), wiring diagrams, and OEM service bulletins.
Proficient use of inspection tools: borescope video systems, ultrasonic probes, eddy-current devices, fluorescent/liquid penetrant kits, micrometers, calipers, torque wrenches and dial indicators.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) fundamentals: visual inspection, dye penetrant, eddy current and basic ultrasonic inspection support.
Experience with aircraft maintenance tracking systems / MRO software (AMMS, TRAX, CAMP, Ramco or equivalent) and electronic technical recordkeeping.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, wiring schematics and parts catalogues.
Knowledge of airframe and engine systems (hydraulics, pneumatics, avionics, flight controls, landing gear).
Engine and APU inspection familiarity, borescope inspection procedures and engine component identification.
Corrosion inspection and control methods, surface preparation and use of corrosion inhibitors and sealants.
Competence in preparing accurate, defensible inspection reports, annotated imagery and measurable inspection evidence.
Tool calibration and GSE inspection basics; ability to verify inspection tool calibration status and complete calibration paperwork.
Basic mechanical troubleshooting skills and use of multimeters, pressure gauges, and common test equipment.
Understanding of maintenance release processes and sign-off authority limits; familiarity with airworthiness release documentation.
Knowledge of MEL/CDL implications on inspection and dispatch decisions.

Soft Skills

Meticulous attention to detail and strong observational skills with the ability to distinguish between acceptable wear and reportable defects.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for preparing inspection reports and collaborating with engineers, maintenance planners, and flight crews.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple inspections and documentation tasks under tight aircraft turn times.
Team player who supports cross-functional maintenance, quality and engineering teams; adaptable to shift work and operational demands.
Problem-solving and critical thinking aptitude for identifying root causes and recommending practical corrective actions.
Professionalism and diplomatic customer service when interacting with operators, vendors, and regulatory representatives.
Time management and prioritization skills for fast-paced line and heavy maintenance environments.
Commitment to safety culture and continuous improvement, comfortable participating in safety briefings and corrective action initiatives.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with strong mechanical aptitude.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aeronautical Engineering Technology, or related technical field.
FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate or actively pursuing A&P preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineering Technology
Mechanical or Industrial Technology
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) certificate programs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years in aviation maintenance or inspection support roles; recent graduates with structured internship or apprenticeship experience considered.

Preferred:

1–3 years supporting aircraft inspections, line maintenance, or structural repair in an MRO, airline, or military aviation environment.
Experience working under the supervision of FAA-certified inspectors, exposure to NDT techniques, and familiarity with MRO software systems.
Candidates with FAA A&P certificate, prior exposure to jet aircraft types (narrowbody/widebody) and hands-on inspection experience will be prioritized.