Index
Intro
Aircraft mechanics maintain, repair, overhaul, modify and test aircraft structural, mechanical and hydraulic systems. Aircraft inspectors inspect aircraft and aircraft systems following manufacture, modification, maintenance, repair or overhaul. Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors are employed by aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul establishments, and by airlines and other aircraft operators.
Aircraft mechanics may progress to foreman/woman, shop supervisor or aircraft inspector.
With experience, aircraft inspectors may progress to shop inspector or supervisor.
Aircraft mechanics and inspectors may acquire further endorsements to their AME licence allowing them to inspect and certify a broader range of aircraft and aircraft systems.
AME licences are issued in the following categories:
M – Small and Large Aircraft,
E – Electronic Systems,
S – Aircraft Structures.
Main Duties
Aircraft mechanics perform some or all of the following duties:
- Troubleshoot aircraft structural, mechanical or hydraulic systems to identify problems and adjust and repair systems according to specifications, technical drawings, manuals and established procedures
- Repair and overhaul aircraft structural, mechanical or hydraulic systems
- Install or modify aircraft engines and mechanical, hydraulic, flight control, fuel and pneumatic systems
- Dismantle airframes, aircraft engines or other aircraft systems for repair, overhaul and cleaning, and reassemble
- Perform and document routine maintenance
- Order and maintain inventory of parts and supplies.
Aircraft mechanics usually specialize in working on specific aircraft systems such as engines, engine accessories, airframes, propellers, mechanical components or hydraulic systems and specific kinds of aircraft, such as light aircraft, jet transports and helicopters.
Aircraft inspectors perform some or all of the following duties:
- Inspect structural and mechanical systems of aircraft and ensure that these systems meet Transport Canada and company standards of performance and safety
- Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, repair and overhaul, or modification of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures
- Maintain detailed repair, inspection and certification records and reports.
Employment Requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- A college diploma in aircraft maintenance
or
Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program is usually required. - Several years of on-the-job training are required for aircraft mechanics.
- Aircraft mechanics and inspectors who sign maintenance releases and certify airworthiness require an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s (AME) licence issued by Transport Canada.
- Trade certification for aircraft maintenance engineers is available, but voluntary, in Ontario, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Trade certification for aircraft structural technicians is available, but voluntary, in British Columbia.
- Industry certification from the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council for some occupations in this unit group is available, but voluntary.
- Aircraft inspectors require several years of experience as an aircraft mechanic.
All Titles
- accessories overhaul mechanic, aircraft
- accessories overhaul technician, aircraft
- aero-engine mechanic
- aero-engine technician
- aircraft accessories mechanic
- aircraft accessories overhaul mechanic
- aircraft accessories repaireraircraft accessories repairman, aircraft accessories repairwoman, repairman, aircraft accessories, repairwoman, aircraft accessories
- aircraft accessories repairman/woman
- aircraft body repaireraircraft body repairman, aircraft body repairwoman, repairman, aircraft bodies, repairwoman, aircraft bodies
- aircraft composite and sheet metal repaireraircraft composite and sheet metal repairman, aircraft composite and sheet metal repairwoman, composite and sheet metal repairman, aircraft, composite and sheet metal repairwoman, aircraft
- aircraft engine inspector
- aircraft engine mechanic
- aircraft engine mechanical systems technician
- aircraft engine overhaul inspector
- aircraft engine overhaul inspector, mechanical systems
- aircraft engine overhaul mechanic
- aircraft engine repair and overhaul mechanic
- aircraft engine tester
- aircraft gas turbine engine technician
- aircraft hydraulics inspector
- aircraft hydraulics mechanic
- aircraft hydraulics shop technician
- aircraft hydraulics technician
- aircraft hydraulics tester
- aircraft inspector
- aircraft inspector, mechanical systems
- aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) (except avionics)
- aircraft maintenance engineer (AME), mechanical systems
- aircraft maintenance engineer (AME), rotorcraft
- aircraft maintenance engineer (AME), structures
- aircraft maintenance engineer (except avionics)
- aircraft maintenance mechanic apprentice
- aircraft maintenance technician
- aircraft mechanic
- aircraft mechanic experimental
- aircraft mechanic learner
- aircraft mechanic, engine accessories overhaul
- aircraft mechanic, engine overhaul
- aircraft mechanic, flight tests
- aircraft mechanic, mechanical systems
- aircraft mechanic, power plant
- aircraft mechanical and fuel systems overhaul and repair mechanic
- aircraft mechanical systems inspector
- aircraft mechanical systems mechanic
- aircraft mechanical systems preflight mechanic
- aircraft mechanical systems repair inspector
- aircraft mechanical systems repair shop inspector
- aircraft mechanical systems technician
- aircraft plumbing and hydraulics mechanic
- aircraft propeller systems technician
- aircraft reciprocating engine technician
- aircraft repair and overhaul inspector
- aircraft repair shop inspector
- aircraft safety systems mechanic
- aircraft sheet metal technician
- aircraft skin repaireraircraft skin repairman, aircraft skin repairwoman, repairman, aircraft skins, repairwoman, aircraft skins
- aircraft structural repair technician
- aircraft structural technician
- aircraft systems inspector
- aircraft technician, accessories overhaul
- aircraft technician, gas turbine engines
- aircraft technician, mechanical systems
- aircraft technician, propeller systems
- aircraft technician, propulsion
- airframe mechanic
- AME (aircraft maintenance engineer) (except avionics)
- AME (aircraft maintenance engineer), mechanical systems
- AME (aircraft maintenance engineer), rotorcraft
- AME (aircraft maintenance engineer), structures
- apprentice aircraft maintenance engineer (AME)
- apprentice aircraft mechanic, mechanical systems
- apprentice aircraft mechanical systems mechanic
- apprentice AME (aircraft maintenance engineer)
- aviation maintenance inspector
- aviation mechanical component shop technician
- certified aircraft technician
- composite and sheet metal repairer, aircraft
- composite repair technician
- engine accessories overhaul mechanic
- engine inspector, aircraft
- engine mechanic, aircraft
- engine overhaul inspector, aircraft mechanical systems
- engine overhaul mechanic, aircraft
- engine repair and overhaul mechanic, aircraft
- engine tester, aircraft
- experimental aircraft mechanic
- flight line mechanic
- flight test inspector
- flight test inspector, mechanical systems
- flight test mechanic, aircraft
- gas turbine engine mechanic
- helicopter inspector, mechanical systems
- helicopter mechanic
- hydraulic mechanic, aircraft
- hydraulics inspector, aircraft
- hydraulics shop technician, aircraft
- hydraulics technician, aircraft
- hydraulics tester, aircraft
- inspector, aircraft
- inspector, aircraft engine overhaul
- inspector, aircraft engines
- inspector, aircraft mechanical systems
- inspector, aircraft mechanical systems flight tests
- inspector, aircraft mechanical systems repair
- inspector, aircraft mechanical systems repair shop
- inspector, aircraft systems
- inspector, aviation maintenance
- inspector, flight test
- inspector, repair and overhaul
- junior mechanic, aircraft mechanical systems
- maintenance engineer, aircraft mechanical systems
- maintenance technician, aircraft
- mechanic, aircraft
- mechanic, aircraft engine overhaul
- mechanic, aircraft engine repair and overhaul
- mechanic, aircraft engines
- mechanic, aircraft mechanical systems
- mechanic, airframes
- mechanic, gas turbine engines
- mechanic, preflight
- mechanical and fuel systems overhaul and repair mechanic, aircraft
- mechanical systems inspector, aircraft repair and overhaul
- modification mechanic, aircraft mechanical systems
- power plant mechanic, aircraft
- preflight mechanic
- preflight mechanic, mechanical systems
- propeller inspector, aircraft
- propulsion technician
- repairer, aircraft accessories
- repairer, aircraft bodies
- repairer, aircraft skins
- repairman/woman, aircraft accessories
- rotary technician, aircraft mechanical systems
- rotorcraft maintenance engineer
- rotorcraft mechanical systems technician
- safety systems mechanic, aircraft
- sheet metal technician, aircraft
- shop inspector, aircraft mechanical systems repair
- shop inspector, aircraft repair
- shop technician, aircraft hydraulics
- shop technician, aviation mechanical components
- structural repair technician
- structure technician, aircraft
- structures mechanic
- technician, aircraft engines
- technician, aircraft gas turbine engines
- technician, aircraft hydraulics shop
- technician, aircraft mechanical systems
- technician, aircraft propeller systems
- technician, aircraft reciprocating engines
- technician, aircraft structural repair
- technician, composite repair
- technician, propulsion
- technician, rotorcraft mechanical systems
- technician, structural repair
Exclusions
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors (9521)
- Aircraft engine fitters and assemblers (See 7316 Machine fitters)
- Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (2244)
- Aircraft non-destructive inspection technicians (See 2261 Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians)
- Government airworthiness inspectors (See 2262 Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers)
- Supervisors of aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (See 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades)