The aircraft mechanic is a very broad job title that can cover a number of different positions, depending on the company and industry. Aircraft mechanics are responsible for keeping planes and helicopters in good working order. Their day-to-day responsibilities include inspecting, repairing, and maintaining all areas of an aircraft’s structure, as well as its engines and other mechanical systems.

In order to be hired as an entry-level aircraft mechanic, you will need to have at least some experience working with aircrafts. This could be through volunteering at an airport or in the military. You may also be able to get hired as an apprentice if you do not have any experience but do have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). If you want to work for one of the major airlines in America like Delta or United Airlines then you must obtain at least an associate’s degree from an accredited aviation program before applying for an entry level position with them because they require their mechanics to have formal training from a four-year college or technical school before they can begin working for them full time; however there are many other types of employers who do hire people without any formal education whatsoever so there are still plenty of opportunities out there for those who want them!

Aircraft Mechanic Entry Level Jobs

• Academic training through an FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS)
• On-the-job training (OJT)

Once you meet the OJT experience requirements, there are commercially available A&P refresher courses and A&P prep courses that will help prepare you to pass the airman knowledge written, oral, and practical tests.

AMTS

An AMTS (also known as a “147 School”) is an educational facility certificated by the FAA in accordance with 14 CFR part 147. These schools train prospective aircraft mechanics for careers in the airline industry, aviation maintenance facilities, and commercial and general aviation (GA). An AMTS may offer Airframe and/or Powerplant courses, along with Avionics courses, which cover electronics and instrumentation.

• Locate a School

For most 147 Schools:

• To attend, you must first have your high school diploma or evidence of passing the General Educational Development (GED) Exam.
• Your estimated completion time will be from 18 to 24 months, depending on which rating(s) you want. These are the required hours for each subject area:
• When you graduate, you should be qualified to take the applicable airman knowledge tests.

OJT

Things you should know about OJT:

• It is usually the most inexpensive method for gaining the required experience.
• You will need to consistently document your OJT activities. We recommend you document your experience on an Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) log. You can purchase a log book, develop a log of your own, or document your activities using a sample log you find online. On your log, be sure to include these important details:
  • Maintenance task performed
  • Time spent on each task
  • Validation by a certificated Airframe and/or Powerplant Technician
• You may gain OJT through military service or civilian experience.
  • Military Service – The Department of Defense (DoD), in collaboration with the FAA, established the Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC). The JSAMTCC delivers civil aviation training courses to military personnel, through a partnership with the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). The JSAMTCC also evaluates aviation-related specialties for all U.S. Military Branches of Service (BOS).
    • To find out which military specialties the FAA may grant credit for, look for your BOS and Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC), or Naval Enlistment Code (NEC). These specialties are listed in the Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS) Figure 5-135. Military Occupational Specialty Codes.
    • Depending on your specialty, the FAA may grant you credit for your military aviation maintenance experience toward the Airframe and/or Powerplant ratings.
    • Your BOS will document and file your training and experience records for you.
    • If you are an active duty military member, you should make application at your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). An FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) will interview you to evaluate your experience. To apply, bring:
      • all documentation of your training and qualifications.
      • a letter from your from your Executive Officer, Maintenance Officer, or Classification Officer certifying:
        • your length of military service;
        • the amount of time you worked in each MOS, NEC, or AFSC;
        • the make and model of aircraft and/or engine on which you acquired the practical experience; and
        • where you obtained the experience.
  • For additional information on the JSAMTCC Program refer to FAA Order 8900.1, Flight Standards Information Management System, volume 5, chapter 5, section 2.
  • Civilian Experience – You may gain OJT by working or volunteering at a maintenance facility. For example, you may wish to request assistance from a Flying or Aero Club in finding OJT opportunities at local airports. When doing your civilian OJT, you will need to:
    • Be supervised by a mechanic who holds an Airframe and/or Powerplant certificate.
    • Provide documentary evidence of your experience that is acceptable to the FAA Administrator.
    • Set aside time to prepare and study for the airman knowledge (written) test, as well as the oral and practical tests.
• aviation-related course completion certificate;
• training record;
• (DoD) DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty;
• evidence of additional military qualifications (for example, Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI), Quality Assurance Representative (QAR), Assignment to the Quality Assurance Department; Engine Turn Qualification Endorsement, etc.;
• AMT log signed by your supervising mechanic;
• a statement from your employer that you earned practical experience with procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and/or equipment used in constructing, maintaining, and/or altering an airframe or a powerplant for the required time; and
• letter of recommendation.