How Do I Become an Aviation Mechanic?

For people who love to work with planes, choosing to become an aviation mechanic can provide a rewarding career path. In many regions, there are strict training and educational requirements necessary to become an aviation mechanic. In general, a blend of training, work experience, and demonstrable aptitude is necessary to obtain necessary certification for this type of job.

Some people choose to become an aviation mechanic by focusing on a formal educational approach. There are many degree programs that allow a person to gain the skills needed for aircraft maintenance jobs. In some regions, degree programs need to be certified by a national aviation board in order to qualify as an acceptable training course. Training courses typically last between one and three years, and cover a wide range of theoretical and practical topics. Since many regions have different types of aircraft mechanics, students may be able to specialize in a particular type of training that feeds into a specific job description.

It may also be possible to become an aviation mechanic through on-the-job training. In some regions, a person can work as an aviation mechanic or assistant without certification, so long as he or she is closely supervised by a certified technician. The hours worked in this type of position can be tracked and counted toward a training requirement; after reaching a certain number of hours, a mechanic may qualify to sit for certification examinations. Certain levels of mechanical certification may also require both educational training and practical work experience.

Passing rigorous examinations is often a required part of mechanical certification. Tests may be practical, written, or oral, or they may combine various elements. Some tests may take an entire day to complete, so certification testing may be a multi-day process. Those studying aviation mechanics in school may be able to take preparatory classes for required certification examinations, while those training through work experience may be able to find books, study guides, or even seminars that can serve as test preparation.

In some areas, certain basic requirements must also be met in order to become an aviation mechanic. For instance, applicants must generally be legal adults, and may need to prove fluency in the language in which tests are given. Some areas also have citizenship requirements, such as the possession of native citizenship or status as a permanent resident and legal worker. National aviation boards generally list all such requirements on their websites.