Job description
Aircraft maintenance engineers may do some or all of the following:
- check engines, airframes, electronic and mechanical systems of aircraft to ensure they work correctly and meet safety requirements, in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority regulations
- read diagrams
- repair or replace faulty or old parts or systems
- test parts and systems to make sure they work
- use electronic test equipment to view structures without taking them apart (non-destructive testing)
- keep records of repairs
Licensed aircraft engineers also inspect and approve the work of other aircraft maintenance engineers/ technicians.
Skills and knowledge
Aircraft maintenance engineers must have knowledge of:
- aircrafts' electronic, mechanical and structural systems and equipment
- how aircraft fly (aerodynamics) and how different materials react during flight
- the maintenance requirements of the aircraft they are servicing
- approved repair techniques and procedures
- safe work practices and aviation safety rules and regulations
Personal requirements
Aircraft maintenance engineers need to be:
- skilled at solving problems
- good listeners and communicators
- practical, systematic and logical
- patient and accurate
- able to work well under pressure and make good decisions
Physical requirements
Aircraft maintenance engineers need to have an average level of fitness because they spend a lot of time on their feet, working in and around aircraft, and may do heavy lifting. They must also have normal colour vision (colour blindness will be hinderance to obtain the license), because some aircraft components are colour-coded. They should also be comfortable working in confined spaces, as they work in cockpits and wheel cavities.
Working conditions
Aircraft maintenance engineers:
- usually work shifts, and may have to be on call during evenings and weekends
- work in hangars or workshops, and on airfields
- work with chemicals such as fuel, oil and hydraulic fluids, which can be dangerous if not handled correctly, and in conditions that may be noisy and stressful
- may travel around locally or overseas
Paylist in malaysia
- Entry Level less than 5 years of experience average total compensation RM 80,000 per year
- 5 to 10 years of experience average total compensation RM 121,000 per year
- 10 to 20 years of experience average total compensation RM 204,000 per year
- More than 20 years of experience average total compensation RM 234,000 per year
Duration of training
- Approved Basic Training (without OJT) – 2 years
- Approved Basic Training (with OJT) – 4 years
- Diploma – 2.5 to 3 years
Categories of Licenses
- Cat A - Licensed Aircraft Line Maintenance Engineer
- Cat B1.1 -Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical Airplane Turbine Engine)
- Cat B1.2 - Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical Airplane Piston Engine)
- Cat B1.3 - Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical Helicopter Turbine Engine)
- Cat B1.4 - Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical Helicopter Piston Engine)
- Cat B2 - Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
Different ways to become an aircraft engineer
- Complete the Approved Basic Training Program at a Part 147 Training Organization (the direct pathway to become a licensed aircraft engineer)
- Complete a relevant Diploma or Degree program (usually this option will take longer to obtain the license)
- Join as an apprentice in an Airline or MRO (requirements depending on the hiring companies)
Difference between Approved Basic Training & Diploma
With completion of Part 147 Approved Training Program, you need only 2 years (minimum) of working experience on live aircraft to obtain the Basic Engineer’s License.
With a Diploma or Degree, you might need at least 5 years or more to obtain the Basic Engineer’s License. You also must pass all the Part 66 exams on your own as this will not be conducted as part of the Diploma or Degree.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing income earner for most countries, so it is not surprising to know that the industry would always need skillful aircraft engineers to maintain the planes. Choosing the right aircraft engineering course equips you with the knowledge to provide quality assurance in an airplane, ensuring that it complies with certain standards and perform safety checks. You’ll also be preparing electronic and mechanical components in an aircraft.