How to Be Aircraft Maintenance Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 1, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMT) play a crucial role in the aviation industry, ensuring the safety and reliability of flights. AMTs inspect, maintain and repair aircraft and their components, including engines, landing gear, brakes and electrical systems. Their expertise is essential in ensuring that aircraft are airworthy and that passengers and crew members are safe.

In addition to their technical knowledge, AMTs must have strong communication and problem-solving skills to effectively diagnose and repair aircraft issues. The successful implementation of their duties has a direct impact on flight safety, which is why the job of an Aircraft Maintenance Technician is so important.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. The first step to becoming an Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) is to obtain a high school diploma or GED. This is important because most employers won't hire AMTs without a high school diploma or GED.
Enroll in an Aviation Maintenance Technician Program. After you have obtained your high school diploma or GED, the next step is to enroll in an aviation maintenance technician program. This program will provide you with the necessary training and education to become an AMT.
Obtain an Aviation Maintenance Technician Certificate. After you have completed your AMT program, the next step is to obtain an aviation maintenance technician certificate. This certificate demonstrates that you have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to become an AMT.
Obtain a Job as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician. Once you have obtained your AMT certificate, the next step is to find a job as an aircraft maintenance technician. There are many job opportunities available, so be sure to research and apply for the positions that best fit your skills and experience.
Maintain Your Certification. The final step to becoming an AMT is to maintain your certification. This involves regularly attending refresher courses and keeping up-to-date on any new regulations or laws related to aircraft maintenance.

The job of an Aircraft Maintenance Technician is essential to keeping aircrafts safe and functioning properly. To become an ideal Aircraft Maintenance Technician, a person must possess certain qualities such as having a strong aptitude for mechanical and electrical systems, strong attention to detail, the ability to troubleshoot problems quickly, and the willingness to take on responsibilities. Furthermore, many employers require that potential candidates have completed an aviation maintenance program and possess an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification.

With these qualifications, a technician can work confidently and efficiently to maintain aircrafts. As a result, the technician will have a successful career and be able to provide a safe and reliable service for aviation customers.

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Job Description

Perform aircraft maintenance, repair, and inspection in accordance with applicable regulations and approved data.
Troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems on aircraft.
Prepare and maintain maintenance records, logs, and other related documentation.
Perform aircraft servicing procedures including fueling, oil, and hydraulic fluid servicing.
Inspect aircraft components for wear, corrosion, cracks, fatigue, and other damage.
Replace defective parts or components on aircraft using hand tools and specialized test equipment.
Perform scheduled maintenance tasks such as oil changes, filter replacements, and engine tune-ups.
Perform pre-flight inspections to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft.
Conduct post-flight inspections to identify any faults or discrepancies in aircraft performance.
Repair or replace landing gear, propellers, and other components as necessary.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of aircraft systems and components
Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and diagrams
Ability to use specialized tools, diagnostic equipment and test instruments
Understanding of regulations and safety protocols
Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical/electrical systems problems
Knowledge of aircraft repair, maintenance and inspection procedures
Ability to use hand tools and power tools safely
Good communication skills
Problem-solving skills
Attention to detail
Ability to work independently or as part of a team
Physical strength and agility

Aircraft Maintenance Technicians are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of aircraft. As such, the most important skill for them to possess is a thorough understanding of aircraft systems, components, and maintenance procedures. This knowledge is essential for technicians to accurately diagnose and repair any issues with an aircraft, ensuring that it remains in peak condition.

To ensure that technicians have the necessary expertise to perform their duties, they must receive comprehensive training in aircraft systems and must be proficient in the use of aircraft maintenance tools, equipment, and software. By having a thorough understanding of aircraft systems and maintenance procedures, Aircraft Maintenance Technicians are able to minimize the risk of an aviation accident or incident, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew alike.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician?
What specific types of aircraft have you worked on?
How do you stay up to date on industry standards for aircraft maintenance?
Describe a situation in which you had to troubleshoot an issue with an aircraft.
How well do you work in a team environment?
How do you handle working under tight deadlines?
What safety protocols do you follow while performing aircraft maintenance?
What tools are required to successfully perform aircraft maintenance?
How have you handled difficult situations when working on aircraft?
How do you handle customer complaints or concerns regarding aircraft maintenance?

Common Tools in Industry

Wrenches. A tool used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts (eg. ratchet wrench, adjustable wrench).
Screwdrivers. A tool used to drive screws into different materials (eg. Phillips head screwdriver, flat head screwdriver).
Pliers. A tool used to grip, bend and twist wires and other materials (eg. needle nose pliers, combination pliers).
Hammer. A tool used to drive nails into materials and other objects (eg. claw hammer, ball peen hammer).
Calipers. A tool used to measure distances between two points (eg. digital calipers, vernier calipers).
Power Tools. A tool powered by electricity or battery to complete tasks quickly (eg. drill, saw).
Socket Set. A tool used to fasten and loosen nuts and bolts (eg. socket set with ratchet, socket set with extensions).
Soldering Iron. A tool used to join two metals together using solder (eg. soldering iron with stand, soldering iron with temperature control).
Wire Strippers. A tool used to strip the insulation off electrical wires (eg. manual wire strippers, automatic wire strippers).
Crimpers. A tool used to connect two pieces of metal by deforming one or both of them (eg. compression crimpers, cable crimpers).

Professional Organizations to Know

Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association (AMTA)
Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA)
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT)
Helicopter Association International (HAI)
International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA)
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
Airline Dispatchers Federation (ADF)
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)
Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA)

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Common Important Terms

Airworthiness Directive (AD). A notice issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to inform aircraft owners and operators of unsafe conditions that must be addressed in order to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft.
Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM). A manual issued by the aircraft manufacturer that provides detailed information on how to correctly maintain and repair an aircraft.
Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP). A program designed to ensure the structural integrity of an aircraft over its entire life cycle by monitoring and controlling the effects of corrosion, fatigue, and other factors.
Avionics. Refers to the electronic systems used in an aircraft, such as communications, navigation, and surveillance systems.
Corrosion Prevention and Control. The practice of preventing and controlling corrosion on aircraft by using protective coatings, sealants, and other techniques.
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). Regulations issued by the FAA to ensure the safe operation of aircraft in the US.
Inspection Program. A program designed to ensure the continued airworthiness of an aircraft by regularly inspecting its components and systems.
Maintenance Logs. Records kept by maintenance technicians that document all maintenance activities performed on an aircraft.
Service Bulletins (SB). Bulletins issued by aircraft manufacturers that provide instructions on how to resolve issues with an aircrafts components or systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are required to be an Aircraft Maintenance Technician?

Aircraft Maintenance Technicians must have an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

How long does it take to become an Aircraft Maintenance Technician?

The amount of time it takes to become an Aircraft Maintenance Technician varies depending on the type of training program, but typically takes between 18 to 24 months to complete.

What are the duties of an Aircraft Maintenance Technician?

The duties of an Aircraft Maintenance Technician include performing inspections and repairs on aircraft, engines, and components, following safety guidelines, and ensuring the aircraft meets all regulatory standards.