DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
49-3011 Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Occupational Description:
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Includes helicopter and aircraft engine specialists. Excludes “Avionics Technician" (49-2091).| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| EDR 9 - South Central | 10 | 3 | $22.19/hr | $4.51/hr | $12.64/hr | $13.96/hr | $16.79/hr | $23.39/hr | $43.76/hr |
| Minnesota | 1,300 | 46 | $27.92/hr | $0.81/hr | $18.02/hr | $23.00/hr | $29.28/hr | $33.40/hr | $36.31/hr |
| U S | 119,160 | 3,575 | $27.15/hr | $0.19/hr | $17.15/hr | $22.26/hr | $26.92/hr | $32.05/hr | $37.37/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 640 | $22.00/hr | N/A |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 500 | $16.77/hr | N/A |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 300 | $15.10/hr | N/A |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 230 | $17.07/hr | N/A |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics | 160 | $17.52/hr | N/A |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 20 | $13.47/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Adjusts, aligns, and calibrates aircraft systems, using hand tools, gauges, and test equipment.
- Examines and inspects engines or other components for cracks, breaks, or leaks.
- Disassembles and inspects parts for wear, warping, or other defects.
- Tests engine and system operations, using testing equipment, and listens to engine sounds to detect and diagnose malfunctions.
- Assembles and installs electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand tools and power tools.
- Reads and interprets aircraft maintenance manuals and specifications to determine feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
- Modifies aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, engineering orders and technical publications.
- Removes engine from aircraft or installs engine, using hoist or forklift truck.
- Services and maintains aircraft systems by performing tasks, such as flushing crankcase, cleaning screens, greasing moving parts, and checking brakes.
- Repairs, replaces, and rebuilds aircraft structures, functional components, and parts, such as wings and fuselage, rigging, and hydraulic units.
- Replaces or repairs worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
- Disassembles and inspects engine parts, such as turbine blades and cylinders, for wear, warping, cracks, and leaks.
- Reassembles engine and installs engine in aircraft.
- Tests engine operation, using test equipment such as ignition analyzer, compression checker, distributor timer, and ammeter, to identify malfunction.
- Services and maintains aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities, such as flushing crankcase, cleaning screens, and lubricating moving parts.
- Adjusts, repairs, or replaces electrical wiring system and aircraft accessories.
- Services, repairs, and rebuilds aircraft structures, such as wings, fuselage, rigging, and surface and hydraulic controls, using hand or power tools and equipment.
- Reads and interprets manufacturers' maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine feasibility and methods of repair.
- Removes engine from aircraft, using hoist or forklift truck.
- Listens to operating engine to detect and diagnose malfunctions, such as sticking or burned valves.
- Reinstalls repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches.
- Trims and shapes replacement section to specified size and fits and secures section in place, using adhesives, hand tools, and power tools.
- Locates and marks dimension and reference lines on defective or replacement part, using templates, scribes, compass, and steel rule.
- Communicates with other workers to fit and align heavy parts or expedite processing of repair parts.
- Cures bonded structure, using portable or stationary curing equipment.
- Spreads plastic film over area to be repaired to prevent damage to surrounding area.
- Cleans, strips, primes, and sands structural surfaces and materials prior to bonding.
- Removes or cuts out defective part or drills holes to gain access to internal defect or damage, using drill and punch.
- Reads work orders, blueprints, and specifications or examines sample or damaged part or structure to determine repair or fabrication procedures and sequence of operations.
- Repairs or fabricates defective section or part, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.