Modern aviation spans well over a century, and yet, flight still often feels like a miracle. It takes a variety of perfectly orchestrated systems and components to get aircraft off the ground, not to mention ongoing maintenance to ensure that planes continue to operate safely and efficiently.
None of this would be possible without the contributions of today’s aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs). Committed to protecting passengers, pilots, flight attendants and even fellow ground crew members, AMTs put a great deal of grit and passion into their work. Their hard work saves lives, keeping aircraft running seamlessly and, when things do go wrong, ensuring issues are addressed before they can place passengers at risk.
Given the inherent value of AMTs in safeguarding the many aircraft and people who take to the skies, it’s easy to see why this role feels so personally meaningful. This is one of the key sources of satisfaction for AMTs and in other aviation safety careers. To ensure that they can live up to high expectations, AMTs go the extra mile, dedicating long hours to aviation maintenance technician training and continuing to pursue new learning and skill development opportunities long after entering the field.
Interested in making a difference as an aviation maintenance technician? As you explore possible career paths and tangible rewards, be mindful of the intrinsic value of this field. Below, we highlight the difficult-to-capture elements of working as an AMT, revealing why this field is so impactful and how AMTs make the most of this opportunity.
The Role of Aviation Maintenance Technicians in the Aviation Industry
Safety is paramount in the aviation industry, where even the smallest oversight can prove deadly. Risk always exists when vehicles leave the ground, but a variety of hazards can be mitigated simply by adhering to rigorous safety protocols.
With so much at stake, there is a clear need for detail-oriented inspections, which ensure that aircraft are safe to fly and that any emerging issues are dealt with promptly. This effort is guided by aviation maintenance technicians, who serve a vital role in servicing and maintaining the aircraft that people rely on to transport them safely.
Behind-the-Scenes Heroes of Every Flight
Pilots tend to receive all the credit following a successful flight, but they are just one part of a complex system that relies on many other hard-working professionals. After all, pilots cannot successfully land planes if core components malfunction, nor can they get aircraft off the ground in the first place if mechanical failures occur. Finely-tuned aircraft are only possible if AMTs are on hand to conduct inspections and proactively address safety issues.
Daily Responsibilities That Keep Planes in the Sky
Every day brings new tasks and challenges to hardworking AMTs. That being said, there is a basic flow to the typical AMT workday, entailing not only routine inspections and maintenance but also detailed recordkeeping to ensure that repairs are logged and documentation is kept up-to-date. In addition, technicians routinely spend time learning about the newest repair and maintenance techniques, along with technologies that are powering the future of the aviation industry.
How Aviation Maintenance Directly Impacts Flight Safety
Pilots, passengers and society at large depend on AMTs to ensure that aviation remains a safe and trusted method of transportation. There’s no such thing as a minor mistake when it comes to flight safety, especially when small issues could lead to major malfunctions and failures. It’s crucial that every aircraft in service be maintained and inspected, and that can only be accomplished by AMTs who are properly trained and confident in their work.
Understanding FAA Regulations and Compliance
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains strict regulations surrounding preventive maintenance. AMTs are intimately familiar with these requirements and are clearly committed to upholding them.
The FAA’s Flight Standards Information Management System and the Procedural Compliance in Aviation Maintenance Handbook of Best Practices and Recommendations should be thoroughly examined during the training process, although these documents also warrant revisiting long after getting trained.1
Case Study of Safety Incidents Prevented by Skilled Technicians
Skilled technicians save lives. We might intuitively understand this, but exploring a real-world example can reveal how calamities can be avoided when AMTs pinpoint aircraft issues — and ensure that problems are resolved well before disaster can strike.
Marine Sgt. Christopher Lemke found a black liquid during his routine inspection of the UH-1Y Huey helicopter’s transmission compartment, and this discovery led to several other UH-1Y’s being found to have the same issue. A manufacturing defect had resulted in two beams rubbing against each other, an issue that would not have been found if Lemke had just performed his standard checks.
Lemke states that he went above and beyond his normal inspection methods because “that’s how I was trained. Our job isn’t just replacing things. If we don’t do it right, that’s someone’s life.”2
Skills and Training to Become an Aviation Maintenance Technician
Students who pursue Aviation Maintenance Technology training are exposed to a variety of industry-specific concepts, but these programs are not merely theoretical: AMT training also prioritizes hands-on skills and techniques that are integral to success in a dynamic field.3
Additionally, the ideal program will grant AMTs the knowledge they need to tackle the FAA’s in-depth certification process, which encompasses written, oral and hands-on practical tests to ensure that certified AMTs are skilled in every aspect of aircraft maintenance.4
What You Can Learn in an Aviation Maintenance Technology Program
AMTs must be well-versed in all elements of aircraft design and operation, as these insights are critical for complex inspection, maintenance and repair operations. AMT programs provide students with the skills and technical knowledge to perform aircraft, airframe, and powerplant maintenance and inspections. Additionally, hands-on training in the hangar trains of the servicing, troubleshooting, and repair of powerplant and airframe systems and components.
Courses cover reciprocating engines, turbine engines and aircraft auxiliary systems that not only get aircraft up in the air but keep them there. In addition , students can expect to learn about regulations and inspections, aviation math and physics, and fundamentals of electricity.
Aircraft Mechanic Oral, Practical, & Written Tests
Graduates of an Aviation Maintenance Technology program should be prepared to test for the FAA’s Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate.5 First, however, aspiring AMTs should be armed with in-depth knowledge of part 65, subpart D of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which details the eligibility requirements for mechanics.
There are three knowledge tests required to receive the Aviation Mechanic certificate with Airframe and/or Powerplant ratings. You must take the General knowledge test first, followed by the Airframe and/or Powerplant knowledge test(s). Once you pass these written tests you can schedule your oral and practical exam with a designated mechanic examiner (DME).6
Is a Career in Aviation Maintenance Right for You?
There is no simple way to assess suitability for aviation maintenance. Much depends on personal interests; given the rigorous nature of this field, there is a strong need for genuine passion, which can help keep AMTs motivated and engaged even as they navigate career-specific challenges. Ideally, AMTs will also have a high aptitude for technical training and detail-oriented work, though these abilities can be enhanced through targeted aviation maintenance technician training.
Traits of a Successful Aviation Maintenance Technician
Every AMT brings something unique to the table, and this field thrives on diversity. Technicians with different backgrounds and perspectives can come together to foster innovation, all while promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement. With this in mind, the most successful AMTs tend to hold a few key qualities in common:
- Detail-oriented. The ability to spot issues that may be easily missed in the otherwise routine daily workflow is critical. These seemingly small errors can lead to major issues, and it’s often these things that get missed when tasks are completed quickly or without a keen eye for detail. This is achieved through consistent focus and a considerable amount of patience. Targeted training can help ensure that the AMT’s eye is immediately drawn to seemingly minor problems or malfunctions.
- Team player. AMTs must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of team members, including not only fellow technicians but also pilots and other aviation professionals. This field is inherently collaborative, with delegation ensuring that teams work seamlessly to handle complex maintenance operations.
How to Get Started in Aviation Maintenance
Your path to entering the essential field of aviation maintenance can begin with an FAA-approved training program. As an AMT student, you will cover a variety of theoretical topics, gaining an in-depth understanding of the numerous systems and components that boost aircraft safety.
Next Steps Toward Career Readiness
Earning an A&P Certificate is a crucial next step on the path to becoming an AMT. This validates technical competencies as well as authorizes technicians to carry out key responsibilities such as inspecting and maintaining aircraft. The A&P Certificate forms the basis for industry-specific certification.7 As Flying Magazine explains, this reflects a deep understanding of aircraft systems, which is useful for not only AMTs but also many other aviation professionals.
Because the A&P Certificate process is rigorous, it takes considerable preparation to secure this credential. If you want to feel fully prepared to test for the A&P Certificate, begin by enrolling in a trusted Aviation Maintenance Technology program, which will provide in-depth guidance and a structured approach to skill development.
Train With SJVC to Prepare for Your Career in Aviation Maintenance
Ready to launch a career that keeps aircraft — and the people who fly in them — safe? Explore how you can become a central part of the aviation industry through hands-on training and FAA-aligned instruction. Learn more about SJVC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program and take the first step toward a demanding, high-impact career.
Sources:
- Federal Aviation Administration. “Online Resource – Resources by Type of Operation.” https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/onlineresources.aspx?categoryId=56&masterId=3
- Jones, B. A. “Marine helicopter mechanic in Afghanistan saves lives with maintenance discovery.” Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. https://www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/News/article/525297/marine-helicopter-mechanic-in-afghanistan-saves-lives-with-maintenance-discovery/
- Chen, A. “What Skills Do You Need to Become an Aviation Maintenance Technician?” FLYING Magazine. https://www.flyingmag.com/careers/what-skills-do-you-need-to-become-an-aviation-maintenance-technician/
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm
- Thorburn, L. “How to Get an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A&P) License.” Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/a-and-p-license
- Federal Aviation Administration. “Aircraft Mechanic Oral, Practical, & Written Tests.” https://www.faa.gov/mechanics/become/test_requirements
- Peterson, C. “What Does It Take to Become an A&P?” FLYING Magazine. https://www.flyingmag.com/what-does-it-take-to-become-an-ap/
