Helicopter Mechanic

Helicopter Mechanics do the same thing Auto Mechanics or Motorcycle Mechanics do, but instead of keeping bikes and cars running, they keep helicopters flying. As a Helicopter Mechanic, you’re in charge of propellers and landing gears, engine fluid and brakes. Your responsibilities include doing routine maintenance and inspection, as well as fixing systems and parts when they’re broken.

Helicopters have become an indispensable mode of transportation for many different organizations—including police departments, hospitals, military units, and tour companies—and even private owners. Because of this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has set safety rules and guidelines detailing what needs to be updated and when. As a Helicopter Mechanic, you perform your inspections according to these guidelines, and then you keep detailed records of what you’ve found and fixed.

There are as many different types of helicopters as there are organizations that use them, too. So to be able to handle the maintenance and repair of these complex machines, you need skill in interpreting blueprints and manuals. These important documents serve as your map, letting you know what’s broken and where to find it on each individual helicopter.

If a blueprint or manual can’t direct you to the problem, specialized computer programs and electronic testing equipment can. With the help of these programs and equipment, you can run diagnostic tests and pinpoint, for example, what needs replacing or tightening.

After fixing a helicopter, it’s time to take care of your shop. You make sure all your tools are in working order, and keep your inventory of parts well stocked. This way, you’re ready, even at a moment’s notice, for the next heavy flying machine that comes to you for repairs.