Aviation maintenance technicians are in constant demand and can be a great career choice for transitioning military veterans.
But you need the right training and certifications to compete in this field. Specialized hands-on trade schools like Pittsburgh Institute Of Aeronautics are renowned as one of the premier educators of aviation maintenance and aviation electronics technologies in the nation.
Since 1929, PIA has graduated more than 37,000 individuals with FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) or FCC General Radiotelephone Operator’s Licenses (GROL) certifications. Over the last five years Pittsburgh Institute Of Aeronautics boasts a 96 percent placement rate in the aviation industry or fields directly related to an aviation education. Schools that have earned the elite Military Friendly® designation have demonstrated a commitment to supporting student veterans on campus and in their careers, and Pittsburgh Institute Of Aeronautics has met that standard! Below is a promotional video from PIA.
What Do Aviation Maintenance Technicians Do?
Aviation maintenance technicians will check and troubleshoot aircraft equipment on a regular basis, looking for parts that may need repaired or replaced. Some of the components you would work on include brakes, wheels, electrical systems and wings. During inspections, aviation maintenance technicians are required to use diagnostic procedures approved by the Federal Aviation Administation (FAA). They complete inspections, perform scheduled maintenance and make any necessary repairs according to FAA regulations. Many technicians specialize in preventive maintenance. A day in the life of an aviation technician could include working on the items below.
- Turbine Engines
- Reciprocating Engines
- Metallic Structures
- Ignitions Systems
- Hydraulics & Pneumatics
- Welding
How To Get A Job In Aviation Maintenance
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015 the median pay for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians was $58,390. But what qualifications do you need to get an entry level job in aviation maintenance? Aircraft mechanics and service technicians often enter the occupation after attending a Part 147 FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school like Pittsburgh Institute Of Aeronautics. These schools award a certificate of completion that the FAA recognizes as an alternative to the experience requirements stated in regulations. The schools also grant holders the right to take the relevant FAA exams, which will better your chances for entry-level employment.
Some aircraft mechanics and service technicians enter the occupation with a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training to learn their skills and to be able to pass the FAA exams. Other workers enter the occupation after getting training in the military. Aviation maintenance personnel who are not certified by the FAA work under supervision until they have enough experience and knowledge and become certified.
What Qualities Do you Need?
Strength and agility. You will be moving all day, working with equipment and parts that will definitely test your agility and strength!
Detail-oriented. Aviation mechanics and technicians need to adjust airplane parts to exact specifications. For example, they often use precision tools to tighten wheel bolts to an exact tension.
Dexterity. Aviation mechanics and technicians must possess dexterity to coordinate the movement of their fingers and hands in order to grasp, manipulate or assemble parts.
Observational skills. Aviation mechanics and technicians must recognize engine noises, read gauges and collect other information to determine whether an aircraft’s systems are working properly.
Troubleshooting skills. Aviation mechanics and technicians diagnose complex problems, and they need to evaluate options to correct those problems.
Ready To Get Started?
Are you interested in aircraft? What about electronics, engines or sheet metal work? Do you just like working with your hands? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) is the school for you!
PIA’s specialized aviation maintenance technology (AMT) and aviation electronics technology (AET) programs provide hands-on experience. The school’s aviation maintenance program will prepare you for an exciting career as an FAA-certified aircraft mechanic, and its aviation electronics (or avionics) program leads to opportunities as a FCC-licensed avionics technician.
PIA Campuses are approved to receive the following VA education benefits:
- Chapter 30
- Chapter 31
- Chapter 32
- Chapter 33
- Chapter 35
- Chapter 1606
- Chapter 1607