5 answers
Henry
Student
Capitol Heights, Maryland
5
Questions
Updated
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why would aviation maintenance technician be a good job for someone who likes air planes?
is that a good job for me if i like airplanes
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5 answers
Charles M Hurd
Aspiring adviser to STEM teens. Explains clearly, exhorts best practices. Raspberry Pi zealot.
59
Answers
Greenville, Texas
Updated
Charles M’s Answer
If you are "someone who likes airplanes", what is it about airplanes that you like? There is a lot to like about airplanes. Knowing if this is a good job for you also depends on the kind of person you are and what you like to do. And it is influenced by your personal strengths and weaknesses
Do you like how airplanes look when they fly through the air? Do you like the feelings of possibility when you see them soaring? Do you like the challenges you can face and the feeling you get when you overcome them? Do you like the feelings you get when you are flying? I had been in big jets several times before I flew in a small plane. The feelings are very different. I was buzzed for weeks on how good I felt after flying in a small plane.
Why does being an aviation maintenance technician appeals to you?
Have you looked to see what an aircraft mechanic does and the environment in which he or she works? Take a look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook for this or any other job you have in mind? Refer to Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm
My understanding about aviation maintenance technicians is that they need to be methodical, organized, not forgetful, willing to work in all kinds of weather and capable to getting the job done accurately and within the allocated time frame.
There are several kinds of people, those that like to work with things, those that like to work with ideas, and those that like to work with people. What kind of person are you? See Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career_counseling#Vocational_theories) "John Holland hypothesized six vocational personality/interest types and six work environment types: realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional"
There are many different resources to discover what you are inside as a person.
https://www.youscience.com/buy-now/ - You Science
https://www.onetonline.org/ O Net Online
https://wowi.com/ - World of Work Inventory
https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/strengthsfinder.aspx Strengths Finder
A little bit about me and my aviation maintenance technician-related job.
Currently I am a technical writer for a defense company that modifies aircraft for military use. My job is to write the technical documentation required to have with an aircraft that has been modified, so the maintenance technicians can know how to maintain it up to functional and flight-worthy standards. Mainly I am writing the maintenance manual for all the things added or modified for the customer's use such as: how to change the lavatory ceiling panel which contains, lights, PA speakers and drop-down oxygen masks; how to remove an install the equipment located in the big pod under the belly of the aircraft including dealing with circuit breakers and cooling fluid; and how to test the satellite communication radios including booting up computers and other electronics. I sit in an office and rarely if ever, get into the airplane hanger. I am a person that likes to work with ideas and doing mechanical things does not come easy to me. As an adult, I discovered I was neurodivergent which helps me understand why my natural work environment is so messy and why getting things done by the deadline was very hard. I grew up during the time of the space race and moon landings so science and engineering and all things technical were of interest to me. Never had much hands on experience with mechanical things.
Discover more of the kind of person you are and why you like airplanes.
Discover more about aviation-related careers.
Try some simple experiments to see how you like doing some of the things aviation maintenance technicians do and working in some of the areas in which they work
Keep a journal and write about your experiences, making note of how you enjoyed or did not enjoy whatever experience you had.
Discover if you have any factors that influence how you deal with the world (ADHD or other neurodivergent way of thinking, any physical strengths or weaknesses, any life goals or missions you are driven to fulfill.)
Do you like how airplanes look when they fly through the air? Do you like the feelings of possibility when you see them soaring? Do you like the challenges you can face and the feeling you get when you overcome them? Do you like the feelings you get when you are flying? I had been in big jets several times before I flew in a small plane. The feelings are very different. I was buzzed for weeks on how good I felt after flying in a small plane.
Why does being an aviation maintenance technician appeals to you?
Have you looked to see what an aircraft mechanic does and the environment in which he or she works? Take a look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook for this or any other job you have in mind? Refer to Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm
My understanding about aviation maintenance technicians is that they need to be methodical, organized, not forgetful, willing to work in all kinds of weather and capable to getting the job done accurately and within the allocated time frame.
There are several kinds of people, those that like to work with things, those that like to work with ideas, and those that like to work with people. What kind of person are you? See Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career_counseling#Vocational_theories) "John Holland hypothesized six vocational personality/interest types and six work environment types: realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional"
There are many different resources to discover what you are inside as a person.
https://www.youscience.com/buy-now/ - You Science
https://www.onetonline.org/ O Net Online
https://wowi.com/ - World of Work Inventory
https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/strengthsfinder.aspx Strengths Finder
A little bit about me and my aviation maintenance technician-related job.
Currently I am a technical writer for a defense company that modifies aircraft for military use. My job is to write the technical documentation required to have with an aircraft that has been modified, so the maintenance technicians can know how to maintain it up to functional and flight-worthy standards. Mainly I am writing the maintenance manual for all the things added or modified for the customer's use such as: how to change the lavatory ceiling panel which contains, lights, PA speakers and drop-down oxygen masks; how to remove an install the equipment located in the big pod under the belly of the aircraft including dealing with circuit breakers and cooling fluid; and how to test the satellite communication radios including booting up computers and other electronics. I sit in an office and rarely if ever, get into the airplane hanger. I am a person that likes to work with ideas and doing mechanical things does not come easy to me. As an adult, I discovered I was neurodivergent which helps me understand why my natural work environment is so messy and why getting things done by the deadline was very hard. I grew up during the time of the space race and moon landings so science and engineering and all things technical were of interest to me. Never had much hands on experience with mechanical things.
Charles M recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, Charles M!
Henry
Laura Elmo
Customer Service
2
Answers
Akron, Ohio
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Aviation mechanics are in high demand at this time, I was watching a program the other day about how the techs are being trained and have very high paying positions before they've graduated the program. If you enjoy the field and working on machinery, it's an excellent career choice.
Thank you for the advice, Laura.
Henry
Karin P.
Lecturer
375
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Henry,
There are a lot of videos on YouTube about being an aviation technician and training to be one. You can do a search on YouTube.
Some examples:
https://youtu.be/5e4fBSmBKgQ?si=lLhg0RUaFHZIAIQA
https://youtu.be/C4B8S540PbE?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/Le-gLP-kphY?si=oM1MnJf-BCoVEpww
https://youtu.be/JcrZR9WkJ3A?si=4pTjxCJYqRYY4CKk
Good luck!
KP
There are a lot of videos on YouTube about being an aviation technician and training to be one. You can do a search on YouTube.
Some examples:
https://youtu.be/5e4fBSmBKgQ?si=lLhg0RUaFHZIAIQA
https://youtu.be/C4B8S540PbE?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/Le-gLP-kphY?si=oM1MnJf-BCoVEpww
https://youtu.be/JcrZR9WkJ3A?si=4pTjxCJYqRYY4CKk
Good luck!
KP
Thanks for the advice.
Henry
Aftab Ursani
Flight EngineerB747 at Japan Airlines
42
Answers
Torrance, California
Updated
Aftab’s Answer
I have worked as Flight Deck Crew Member nearly all my life, working as Flight Engineer on B747.
If you have fallen in love with Jet Airplanes, then you will have most pleasure flying them not working on airplane Engines or fuselage in all three shifts of the day.
Mechanic is a rewarding job but life can be tough and noisy on the ramp outside.
Sitting on left seat of cockpit and making decisions is a great job. Best Wishes
If you have fallen in love with Jet Airplanes, then you will have most pleasure flying them not working on airplane Engines or fuselage in all three shifts of the day.
Mechanic is a rewarding job but life can be tough and noisy on the ramp outside.
Sitting on left seat of cockpit and making decisions is a great job. Best Wishes
Thank you so much for the advice.
Henry
Wayne Johnson
Maintenance Programs at Alaska Airlines
81
Answers
Auburn, Washington
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
If you like taking things apart and put them back together, then aviation maintenance is a good fit for you. Also a lot of the stuff you learn will cross over to other trades, For example:
You will learn:
Hydraulics, which will transfer to heavy equipment, auto mechanics, plumbing, etc.
Piston Engines
Air Conditioning.
Electrical.
Sheetmetal.
The aviation maintenance will also help you understand aircraft systems if you decide to become a pilot.
The one thing that helped me decide was, if I was unable to pass the required FAA physical, then I could not be a pilot.
Regards, Wayne
You will learn:
Hydraulics, which will transfer to heavy equipment, auto mechanics, plumbing, etc.
Piston Engines
Air Conditioning.
Electrical.
Sheetmetal.
The aviation maintenance will also help you understand aircraft systems if you decide to become a pilot.
The one thing that helped me decide was, if I was unable to pass the required FAA physical, then I could not be a pilot.
Regards, Wayne
I appreciate your support, Wayne
Henry