Aircraft mechanics have the very important responsibility of keeping aircraft operating safely and efficiently. They work in highly technical specialty areas on different systems that make up today's complex aircraft. For example, you could specialize in the airframe (the body of the aircraft), the powerplant (the engines), or avionics (the parts of an aircraft that depend on electronics, such as navigation and communication).

Aviation is a rapidly changing field, so aircraft maintenance is a dynamic career field. It has changed a great deal since the first aircraft mechanic, Charles Taylor, helped design, build, and maintain the engine for the 1903 Wright Brothers’ Flyer. You need to keep learning to keep up with new designs and materials.

Find a School - Check out the FAA's Maintenance Schools - Search to find an FAA-certified AMT school in your area.

Start Studying - Below are some ASA products aviation mechanics rely on for their training and work. As your aviation maintenance training begins, you will need to buy a few books. These products will be used not only in your initial studies, but you will also reference them when you begin work as an A&P.

✈ Aircraft Maintenance FAQs ✈ What would my job be like ? You would work in hangars, out on the field on the "flight lines" where aircraft park, or in repair stations. You would use hand and power tools as well as sophisticated test equipment. Maintenance is performed around the clock, seven days a week. New mechanics and technicians should expect to work nights and weekends. The noise level both indoors and on the flight line could be very high. Sometimes your work would require physical activity, from climbing ladders to crawling under wings and lifting heavy equipment. Sometimes the work would be stressful, because you would have to meet a deadline to make sure an airplane was ready to fly a scheduled flight. ✈ What requirements must I meet to become an aircraft mechanic ? You must be: at least 18 years old. able to read, write, speak, and understand English. You must get 18 months of practical experience with either power plants or airframes, or 30 months of practical experience working on both at the same time. As an alternative to this experience requirement, you can graduate from an FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School. You must pass three types of tests: a written examination an oral test a practical test ✈ Do I need a license to be an aircraft mechanic ? Not necessarily. However, if you don't have a mechanic's certificate from FAA, you can work only when supervised by someone who does have a certificate. You could not approve equipment for return to service. Without a certificate, you are less likely to advance to the top of the career field. The FAA issues mechanics and repairman certificates. Mechanics can get either an airframe certificate or a powerplant certificate—most mechanics get both. Repairmen get certificates to perform only one or two specific tasks, and they must be supervised by FAA-approved repair stations, commercial operators, or air carriers where these specific tasks are done daily. ✈ Do I need any experience to become a certified mechanic ? Yes. You can get the required experience through civilian or military on-the-job training, or by attending a special school for aircraft mechanics. ✈ Do I have to take any tests to become a certified mechanic ? Yes, you must take oral and practical tests. There is a fee for the test. The oral and practical tests cover 43 technical subjects. Typically, tests for one certificate (airframe or powerplant) takes about 8 hours. ✉ Click here to Email your question to ASA. Related Products and Accessories

Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: Airframe Systems » Dale Crane's AMT Series is the essential resource to pass the FAA Knowledge Exams for Aviation Maintenance Technicians.   #ASA-AMT-SYS-3H $49.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: Airframe Structures » Dale Crane's AMT Series is the essential resource to pass the FAA Knowledge Exams for Aviation Maintenance Technicians.   #ASA-AMT-STRUC-3H $49.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: General » Dale Crane's AMT Series is the essential resource to pass the FAA Knowledge Exams for Aviation Maintenance Technicians.   #ASA-AMT-G3H $59.95 AMT Practical Test Standards » Current AMT Practical Test Standards for General, Airframe, and Powerplant all in one book!   #ASA-8081-AMT-3 $9.95 Oral & Practical Exam Guide » This book prepares AMT students for the general, airframe, and powerplant oral and practical exams, the final step in the A&P certification process.   #ASA-OEG-AMT2 $12.95 2012 FAR for Aviation Maintenance Technicians » Comprehensive regulations for AMTs and repair shops. Softcover book   #ASA-12-FAR-AMT $24.95 2012 FAR for Aviation Maintenance Technicians (eBundle) » Comprehensive regulations for AMTs and repair shops. Softcover book + eBook PDF Download   #ASA-12-FAR-AMT2D $29.95 Fast Track 2012 Test Guide: General » Includes study questions for the AMT General FAA Knowledge exam, supported with answers and explanations in the "Fast-Track" format. Softcover book   #ASA-AMG-12 $14.95 Fast Track 2012 Test Guide: Airframe » Includes study questions for the AMT Airframe FAA Knowledge exam, supported with answers and explanations in the "Fast-Track" format. Softcover book   #ASA-AMA-12 $14.95 Fast Track 2012 Test Guide: Powerplant » Includes study questions for the AMT Powerplant FAA Knowledge exam, supported with answers and explanations in the "Fast-Track" format. Softcover book   #ASA-AMP-12 $14.95 Fast Track 2012 Test Guide: General (eBook) » Includes study questions for the AMT General FAA Knowledge exam, supported with answers and explanations in the "Fast-Track" format.   #ASA-AMG-12-PD $14.95 Fast Track 2012 Test Guide: Airframe (eBook) » Includes study questions for the AMT Airframe FAA Knowledge exam, supported with answers and explanations in the "Fast-Track" format.   #ASA-AMA-12-PD $14.95 Fast Track 2012 Test Guide: Powerplant (eBook) » Includes study questions for the AMT Powerplant FAA Knowledge exam, supported with answers and explanations in the "Fast-Track" format.   #ASA-AMP-12-PD $14.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: Powerplant » The Dale Crane AMTS textbooks are the ideal resource for the aeronautical knowledge needed to pass the FAA's AMT Exams.   #ASA-AMT-P3 $59.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: General (eBook) » Dale Crane's AMT Series is the essential resource to pass the FAA Knowledge Exams for Aviation Maintenance Technicians.   #ASA-AMT-G3-PD $54.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: Powerplant (eBook) » The Dale Crane AMTS textbooks are the ideal resource for the aeronautical knowledge needed to pass the FAA's AMT Exams.   #ASA-AMT-P3-PD $54.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: Airframe Systems (eBook) » Dale Crane's AMT Series is the essential resource to pass the FAA Knowledge Exams for Aviation Maintenance Technicians.   #ASA-AMT-SYS3-PD $44.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: Airframe Structures (eBook) » Dale Crane's AMT Series is the essential resource to pass the FAA Knowledge Exams for Aviation Maintenance Technicians.   #ASA-AMT-STRC3-PD $44.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: General (eBundle) » Dale Crane's AMT Series is the essential resource to pass the FAA Knowledge Exams for Aviation Maintenance Technicians. Hardcover Book + eBook PDF Download   #ASA-AMT-G3-2D $69.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: Powerplant (eBundle) » The Dale Crane AMTS textbooks are the ideal resource for the aeronautical knowledge needed to pass the FAA's AMT Exams. Hardcover Book + eBook PDF Download   #ASA-AMT-P3-2D $69.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: Airframe Systems (eBundle) » Dale Crane's AMT Series is the essential resource to pass the FAA Knowledge Exams for Aviation Maintenance Technicians. Hardcover Book + eBook PDF Download   #ASA-AMT-SYS3-2D $59.95 Aviation Maintenance Technician Series: Airframe Structures (eBundle) » Dale Crane's AMT Series is the essential resource to pass the FAA Knowledge Exams for Aviation Maintenance Technicians. Hardcover Book + eBook PDF Download   #ASA-AMT-STRC3-2D $59.95