Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Also known as:

Aircraft Engineering Technician
Aeronautical Engineering Technician
Aircraft Mechanic

Introduction

Aircraft maintenance engineers support qualified aeronautical engineers in the development and maintenance of civil and military aircraft, defence systems and satellites. They carry out a range of technical tasks, and supervise engineering craftspeople. Maintenance engineers may be involved in testing, development, manufacture or maintenance.

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Work Activities

Aircraft maintenance engineers are involved in highly technical tasks, including the design, development, construction and maintenance of civil and military aircraft, defence systems, satellites, radar and space vehicles. They may also supervise teams of craftspeople.

Some maintenance engineers are responsible for maintaining aircraft, perhaps specialising in avionics (electronics applied to aircraft) or mechanical engineering . They regularly inspect and overhaul the aircraft to make sure that safety standards are maintained and the aircraft is airworthy.

Maintenance engineers maintain the aircraft's electrical, instrument, automatic pilot, compass and radio systems. They look after internal and external fittings, including air conditioning, hydraulic systems, wing flaps and the undercarriage.

Qualified and experienced maintenance engineers may, with additional training, become flight technicians who work on the flight deck of aircraft, providing technical advice and dealing with systems failures during take-off, flight and landing. Flight technicians liaise with ground maintenance staff over refuelling and servicing. Their work requires them to make quick decisions and to accept considerable responsibility.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must be interested in aviation, defence and satellite technology. Although you will work in a supporting role, you must be capable of organising your own work, without close supervision.

As well as sound technical knowledge, you must have a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to work quickly and accurately. You must have physical fitness, and be good at working in a team.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for aircraft maintenance engineers vary, depending on the company, role and level of responsibility.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Aircraft maintenance engineers earn in the range of £18,500 - £23,000 a year, rising to £28,000 - £30,000. Higher earners can make around £35,000 a year.

Most aircraft maintenance engineers work 35-40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may need to start early, finish late or do some weekend work on a rota system.

Employers throughout the UK include manufacturing companies, commercial airlines, air-taxi operators and flying schools. Openings also exist with the armed forces, the Ministry of Defence (Defence Equipment and Support) and with commercial airlines on long haul flights.

Some opportunities exist to work as a self-employed sub-contractor.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant skills and abilities gained as a fitter or craftsperson are an advantage.

Modern Apprenticeships may be available in some areas.

• 5% of people in occupations such as aircraft maintenance engineering are self-employed, for example, as sub-contractors.
• 2% work part-time.
• 4% of those in employment have flexible hours.
• 2% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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