Aircraft Mechanics

Background

Military aircraft are used to fly hundreds of missions each day for transport, patrol, and flight training. They need frequent servicing to remain safe and ready to fly. Aircraft mechanics inspect, service, and repair helicopters and airplanes.

What They Do

Aircraft mechanics in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Inspect and repair aircraft wings, fuselages, and tail assemblies
• Repair or replace starters, lights, batteries, wiring, and other electrical parts
• Service and repair aircraft landing gear
• Service and repair helicopter, jet, and propeller aircraft engines

Physical Demands

Some specialties require moderate to heavy lifting. Normal color vision is required to work with color-coded wiring.

Special Requirements

No information available.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to use hand and power tools
• Interest in engine mechanics
• Interest in work involving aircraft

Helpful School Subjects

Helpful school subjects include:

• Math
• Shop mechanics

Helpful Fields of Study

No information available.

Work Environment

Aircraft mechanics work in aircraft hangars and machine shops located on air bases or aboard aircraft carriers.

Services offering this career:

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marine Corps
• Navy

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for enlisted personnel.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training consists of three to 17 weeks of classroom instruction, including inspection and repair of aircraft engines and equipment. Training length varies depending upon the specialty.

Course content typically includes:

• Engine disassembly and repair
• Repair of aluminum, steel, and fiberglass airframes and coverings
• Repair of hydraulic, fuel, and electrical systems

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian aircraft mechanics work for aircraft manufacturers, commercial airlines, and government agencies. They perform duties similar to military aircraft mechanics. They may also be called airframe or power plant mechanics.

Related Civilian Careers

• Aircraft Mechanics
• Airplane Assemblers

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 70,000 aircraft mechanics. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new mechanics due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, mechanics are assigned to an aircraft maintenance unit, where they perform routine maintenance and simple repair jobs. In time, they may perform more difficult repairs and train and supervise new mechanics. Eventually, they may become inspectors, shop supervisors, or maintenance superintendents.