Aerospace Technician

The Auto Mechanics of the flying world, Aerospace Technicians repair and inspect aircraft. A highly hands-on occupation, the job of Aerospace Technician requires basic knowledge of science and math, a steady hand for working with tiny wires or small bolts, and an understanding of how flight works. While you don’t have to be a Pilot, it does help if you can tell the wings of the plane from the propeller.

If you’re an Aerospace Technician, regular tune-ups occupy most of your time. In addition to federal and state safety regulations, a company may have specific rules for proper maintenance. After inspecting the hardware and wiring of the plane, you check that all company guidelines are met.

Depending on your area of expertise, you may cover specific problems. For example, if electrical systems are your thing, you handle malfunctions in the wiring. If you do better with the nuts and bolts of a project, you may be called in to repair a dented propeller blade. As you gain general experience, you often move into a specialty area that catches your interest.

As you branch out from basic repairs, you’ll get involved in constructing and testing new parts for the aircraft. Efficiency and safety are your goals as an Aerospace Technician. With flying being such a common mode of transportation, the work you do — creating effective aircraft that can deliver their passengers quickly and safely — is truly important!