What Does an Aircraft Mechanic Do?
An aircraft mechanic, also posted as an A&P mechanic, aircraft maintenance technician (AMT), or aviation maintenance technician, inspects, repairs, and maintains airframes, engines, and aircraft systems so the aircraft stays airworthy. They work for airlines, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) shops, corporate flight departments, helicopter operators, general aviation shops, and government fleets. The job covers scheduled inspections, troubleshooting, repairs to the manufacturer’s manuals and FAA regulations, and the logbook entries that return the aircraft to service. Employers require an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate, and most ask for 2 or more years on a comparable aircraft.
Several aviation maintenance titles sit next to this one. An aviation engine mechanic works on the powerplant only, often in an engine shop. An avionics technician handles the electronic systems, instruments, and radios, and an aircraft electrician handles wiring and electrical power. An aircraft inspector holds Inspection Authorization or required inspection item (RII) authority and signs off other mechanics’ work. An aviation service technician fuels, tows, and services aircraft on the ramp and needs no FAA certificate.
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Hiring an Aircraft Mechanic: What to Expect
Candidates come from Part 147 aviation maintenance schools, from military aviation maintenance (where experience qualifies them to test for the A&P), and from other operators and MROs. Verify the certificate number on the FAA Airmen Registry before the interview. Screen for aircraft type experience, the inspections they have done (phase checks, 100-hour, annual, or heavy checks), whether they own their tools, how they handle a logbook sign-off, and their tolerance for the shift. Ask about the last time they refused to sign off a repair; a good mechanic has a story, and the way they tell it shows you how they handle pressure from operations.
With aircraft mechanic postings, the title itself is usually the problem. Employers post “aircraft technician” or “maintenance technician” without A&P in the title, and certificate holders searching on A&P or AMT never see it; the same posting then gets applications from general mechanics who lack the certificate. Put A&P mechanic or AMT in the title, name the aircraft types, and keep avionics, inspection authorization, and sheet metal as preferred qualifications unless the job is one of those.
A posting for this role should state the shift, whether the work is line or hangar maintenance, and the aircraft types. It should also say whether the employer will hire a new certificate holder from a Part 147 school and whether it provides tools or a tool allowance, because a 2-year requirement the employer does not enforce screens out those graduates.
On aerospace and aviation searches, 4 Corner Resources typically submits qualified candidates within 2 to 5 days, clients interview an average of 1.4 candidates per hire, and we submit 1.75 candidates per hire.
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Aircraft Mechanic Core Responsibilities
- Perform scheduled inspections (preflight, phase, 100-hour, annual, and letter checks) per the maintenance manual and approved inspection program
- Troubleshoot hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, landing gear, flight control, and environmental systems using the aircraft maintenance manual and wiring diagrams
- Remove, repair, overhaul, and reinstall engine and airframe components, including line replaceable units
- Perform engine operational checks and post-maintenance leak and function checks
- Make airworthy repairs using approved data, including structural repair manual procedures and FAA-approved alterations
- Complete logbook entries, work orders, and maintenance records in the maintenance tracking system (CAMP, Corridor, TRAX, or similar) and return the aircraft to service within the mechanic’s authority
- Work from tablet-based electronic task cards and maintenance manuals, and report hazards through the operator’s safety management system (SMS)
- Comply with airworthiness directives, service bulletins, and the operator’s general maintenance manual
- Order and inspect parts, verify traceability and 8130-3 tags, and document installed parts
- Maintain tool control, foreign object debris (FOD) prevention, and hazardous materials handling
- Support aircraft on ground (AOG) recovery, including travel to the aircraft when required
- Act on aircraft health monitoring alerts and engine trend data sent by maintenance control
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate in good standing
- Ability to read and apply maintenance manuals, illustrated parts catalogs, wiring diagrams, and structural repair manuals
- Hands-on experience with turbine or piston engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and landing gear
- Working knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 43, 91, 121, or 135 as they apply to the employer’s operation
- Experience with maintenance tracking software, electronic logbooks, and tablet-based electronic task cards
- Proficiency with precision measuring tools, torque procedures, and safety wiring
- Basic sheet metal, composite, or corrosion control skills
Soft skills
- Refusal to sign off work that does not meet the manual, even when the aircraft is scheduled to depart
- Methodical troubleshooting under time pressure during line maintenance
- Clear, complete written entries in logbooks and work orders
- Willingness to work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime during AOG events
- Physical stamina for confined spaces, ladders, heat, and cold on the ramp
Education
- High school diploma or GED
- Graduation from an FAA Part 147 aviation maintenance technician school, or military aviation maintenance experience accepted by the FAA for testing
Certifications
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate required
- Inspection Authorization (IA) for lead and inspector roles
- FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) and NCATT certifications for mechanics who also do avionics
Preferred Qualifications
- Type-specific factory training on the employer’s fleet (Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, Gulfstream, Cessna, or Bell)
- Engine ground-operation and taxi authorization on the employer’s aircraft types
- Avionics troubleshooting experience or an FCC license
- Sheet metal and composite structural repair experience
- Experience with borescope inspections and engine trend monitoring
- Experience with a safety management system (SMS) under 14 CFR Part 5 at a Part 121, 135, or 145 operator
- Clean driving record and valid driver’s license for ramp and tug operation
How Much Does an Aircraft Mechanic Make?
Typical national range: $59,875 to $92,513, with a national average of $69,983. Salary data reviewed October 2026 by 4 Corner Resources.
Aircraft mechanic salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for an Aircraft Mechanic is:
$69,983
Sample Job Description Templates for Aircraft Mechanics
A&P Mechanic (Airline Line Maintenance)
Position Overview
We are hiring A&P Mechanics for line maintenance at our hub station supporting a fleet of Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft. You will perform overnight checks, troubleshoot and clear deferred items, and dispatch aircraft on schedule in all weather. The role reports to the Line Maintenance Supervisor and works rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Responsibilities
- Perform transit, daily, and overnight checks per the general maintenance manual
- Troubleshoot and clear minimum equipment list (MEL) deferrals and pilot write-ups
- Replace line replaceable units and perform required operational checks
- Complete electronic logbook entries and work orders in TRAX
- Comply with airworthiness directives and engineering orders on schedule
- Support AOG events at outstations when assigned
- Act on aircraft health monitoring alerts from maintenance control, such as Boeing AHM or Airbus Skywise data
- Report hazards and errors through the airline’s safety management system (SMS)
Requirements
Hard skills
- FAA A&P certificate and 2 or more years of transport category aircraft experience
- Familiarity with 14 CFR Part 121 maintenance requirements
- Experience with Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 family aircraft preferred
- Ability to obtain an airport security badge and a customs seal
Soft skills
- Works quickly without skipping steps when the departure is waiting
- Communicates write-up status clearly to maintenance control and crews
- Reliable on a rotating shift schedule
Education
- High school diploma or GED; Part 147 school graduate preferred
Certifications
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate required
Preferred qualifications
- Engine ground-operation and taxi qualification on 737 or A320
- Prior airline or regional carrier experience
A&P Mechanic (General Aviation and MRO)
Position Overview
Our Part 145 repair station is seeking an A&P Mechanic to perform inspections and repairs on piston and turboprop aircraft, from Cessna and Piper singles to King Air and Pilatus turboprops. You will work annual and 100-hour inspections, engine changes, and squawk repairs in the hangar, and interact directly with owner-pilots. The role reports to the Director of Maintenance and works a day shift, Monday through Friday.
Responsibilities
- Perform annual, 100-hour, and progressive inspections on piston and turboprop aircraft
- Troubleshoot and repair engine, fuel, electrical, and landing gear discrepancies
- Perform engine removals, installations, and operational checks
- Research airworthiness directives and service bulletins and document compliance
- Write clear squawk descriptions and estimates for customer approval
- Maintain the shop’s tool calibration and parts traceability records
- Record inspections, parts, and labor in the shop’s maintenance software, such as Corridor or EBIS
Requirements
Hard skills
- FAA A&P certificate with 2 or more years of general aviation experience
- Experience with Lycoming or Continental piston engines and Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprops
- Ability to apply Part 43 and Part 91 requirements and use manufacturer maintenance manuals
- Basic sheet metal and corrosion treatment skills
Soft skills
- Explains findings plainly to owner-pilots who are paying the invoice
- Thorough in inspections on older airframes
- Comfortable working on several aircraft in one week
Education
- High school diploma or GED; Part 147 graduate preferred
Certifications
- FAA A&P certificate required; Inspection Authorization (IA) preferred
Helicopter Mechanic
Position Overview
We are hiring a Helicopter Mechanic to maintain our fleet of Bell 407 and Airbus H125 aircraft supporting air medical and utility operations. You will perform scheduled inspections, rotor and drivetrain component changes, and track and balance, and you will keep aircraft mission-ready at a field base. The role reports to the Base Maintenance Lead and includes a rotating on-call schedule.
Responsibilities
- Perform scheduled inspections and component time-change replacements per the rotorcraft maintenance manual
- Remove and install main and tail rotor components, transmissions, and drive shafts
- Perform rotor track and balance and vibration analysis using Chadwick-Helmuth or similar equipment
- Troubleshoot hydraulic, electrical, and engine discrepancies on turbine helicopters
- Maintain component life records and aircraft status in the tracking system
- Download and review HUMS or engine trend data on aircraft equipped with it
- Support field operations with mobile maintenance when aircraft are away from base
Requirements
Hard skills
- FAA A&P certificate with 3 or more years of turbine helicopter maintenance experience
- Experience with Bell 407, Airbus H125, or similar single-engine turbine helicopters
- Rotor track and balance and rotor system rigging experience
- Working knowledge of Part 135 maintenance requirements
Soft skills
- Independent and self-directed at a remote base
- Attentive to component times and life limits
- Calm and clear with pilots and medical crews about aircraft status
Education
- High school diploma or GED; Part 147 graduate or military rotary-wing maintenance background
Certifications
- FAA A&P certificate required; factory training on the fleet type preferred
Preferred qualifications
- Prior air medical or utility helicopter operator experience
- Inspection Authorization (IA)
Lead Aircraft Mechanic
Position Overview
Our corporate flight department is seeking a Lead Aircraft Mechanic to oversee maintenance on a fleet of 3 Gulfstream and Bombardier business jets. You will plan and perform maintenance, supervise 2 mechanics and contract vendors, manage the maintenance tracking program, and coordinate heavy checks with service centers. The role reports to the Director of Maintenance and works closely with the chief pilot and scheduling.
Responsibilities
- Plan and schedule maintenance to keep 3 aircraft dispatch-ready against the flight schedule
- Perform and supervise inspections, repairs, and component changes on Gulfstream and Bombardier aircraft
- Manage the CAMP maintenance tracking program, due list, and airworthiness directive compliance
- Oversee vendor and service center work, including quotes, work scope, and return-to-service review
- Train and review the work of mechanics and sign off required inspection items
- Manage parts inventory, tooling, and the department’s hazardous materials program
- Log hazards and corrective actions in the department’s safety management system (SMS) with the safety manager
Requirements
Hard skills
- FAA A&P certificate with 7 or more years of corporate aviation experience, including 2 or more years in a lead role
- Factory maintenance training on Gulfstream or Bombardier aircraft
- Experience managing a CAMP or similar maintenance tracking program
- Working knowledge of Part 91 Subpart K or Part 135 maintenance requirements
Soft skills
- Plans ahead so maintenance never surprises the flight schedule
- Supervises with clear expectations and direct feedback
- Communicates status to executives and pilots without jargon
Education
- High school diploma or GED; associate degree in aviation maintenance preferred
Certifications
- FAA A&P certificate required; Inspection Authorization (IA) strongly preferred
Preferred qualifications
- IS-BAO or safety management system experience
- Experience coordinating international trip support and maintenance away from base
Entry-Level A&P Mechanic (New Certificate Holder)
Position Overview
We are hiring newly certificated A&P Mechanics for line maintenance at our hub station supporting a fleet of Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft. You will work alongside senior mechanics on overnight checks, learn the fleet through our on-the-job training program, and receive sign-off authority as you complete each qualification. The role reports to the Line Maintenance Supervisor and works rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Responsibilities
- Perform transit, daily, and overnight checks per the general maintenance manual with a senior mechanic
- Assist with troubleshooting minimum equipment list (MEL) deferrals and pilot write-ups
- Replace line replaceable units and perform required operational checks
- Complete electronic logbook entries and work orders in TRAX
- Complete fleet training modules and qualification sign-offs on schedule
- Maintain tool control and foreign object debris (FOD) prevention on the ramp
Requirements
Hard skills
- FAA A&P certificate; new certificate holders are welcome to apply
- Basic knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 43 and 121 from Part 147 training or military service
- Ability to read maintenance manuals, illustrated parts catalogs, and wiring diagrams
- Ability to obtain an airport security badge and a customs seal
Soft skills
- Asks a senior mechanic before signing off any task outside current training
- Communicates write-up status clearly to maintenance control and crews
- Reliable on a rotating shift schedule
Education
- Graduate of an FAA Part 147 school, or military aviation maintenance experience accepted by the FAA for testing
Certifications
- FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate required
Preferred qualifications
- Internship or co-op at an airline, MRO, or repair station
- A basic hand tool set, with a tool allowance available for new hires