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Airplanes, helicopters and other forms of aircraft are among some of the largest forms of transportation in the world. They can carry hundreds of passengers at a time, transport essential cargo and help people in need of lifesaving medical attention get treatment.
Airframe and powerplant technicians — sometimes shortened to A&P technicians — are the mechanics who ensure these powerful machines fly safely in the air and land correctly on the ground. A&P mechanics maintain most parts of an aircraft, including engines, landing gear, air conditioning and brakes.
This is truly essential work, as people all over the world and diverse industries rely on safe working aircraft. Here’s how A&P mechanics enter this career field.
A&P mechanics work in hangars and repair stations and on airfields to perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft so they stay in working condition and don’t run risk of failure. The mechanics also work on aircraft in need of repairs, fixing components and parts so they can get back up and running.
Some of the duties of A&P mechanics include:
A&P technicians follow instructions, repair procedures and maintenance manuals set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The mechanics must have strong problem-solving skills so they can create safe and workable solutions to quickly get aircraft in the air.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in order to become an A&P technician, professionals typically get education at an FAA-approved technician school, or receive on-the-job training in the military or another professional aviation setting.
Typically, A&P technician jobs have A&P license requirements. Technicians must be certified by the FAA in order to legally work in the profession.
The FAA offers separate certifications for engine work and bodywork, but many employers prefer to hire technicians who have both certification ratings and meet both requirements for A&P license. That’s because an A&P license clearly indicates a mechanic meets basic ability and knowledge standards.
What are the requirements for an A&P license? For how to get your A&P license, the FAA sets these guidelines to qualify for taking the Aircraft Mechanic Oral, Practical and Written tests. But even before testing, the candidate seeking how to get an A&P license must:
Candidates who wish to obtain a license must pass the FAA written, oral and practical tests. The good news is, when you attend FAA-approved A&P school, the curriculum and training prepares you for the tests and license requirements. Once you graduate, you’ll be ready to test for an A&P license.79
According to the BLS, a career as an A&P technician is one of the highest-paying technician fields someone can enter. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for aviation maintenance technicians in the United States was $65,380 in May 2021.57 This means half earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.
Our A&P technician school coming to UTI prepares graduates to apply for FAA licensing and entry-level positions in the aviation industry.1 The programs take 2 years or less to complete and teach students skills like:
To learn more about how to train for an A&P technician career, request info here.
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1) UTI and MIAT are educational institutions and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures for UTI and www.miat.edu/disclosures for MIAT.
57) The Airframe & Powerplant and Aviation Maintenance Technology programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions using the provided training, primarily as aviation maintenance technicians. Estimated annual salary is for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians as published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2021 Occupational Employment and Wages. Entry-level salaries are lower for graduates. UTI and MIAT are educational institutions and cannot guarantee employment or salary. Graduates’ achievements vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on economic factors, personal credentials, work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer, and their compensation programs. Some graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as aviation maintenance technicians, such as turbine technicians or field technicians. Salary information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The average annual entry-level salary range for persons employed as Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (49-3011) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $45,600 to $67,950 (Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, May 2020 data https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/lmi/OccupationalEmploymentAndWageSpecificOccupations#). Salary information for North Carolina: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the hourly median wage for skilled aviation technicians in North Carolina is $28.90 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2021 Occupational Employment and Wages, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians). The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $23.54 and $18.25, respectively.
79) Pending FAA approval, UTI’s aviation maintenance programs prepare graduates to apply & test for FAA mechanic certification. Graduates who don’t obtain certification may have fewer career opportunities. Some graduates get jobs other than aviation maintenance technician such as turbine or field technicians. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment, salary, or FAA certification.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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