CompGeo Salary Survey Benchmark Job Summary and Competencies

Aircraft Mechanics

The Benchmark Job Description below represents the specific Position Characteristics of the job used in the Salary Survey. Benchmark Job Descriptions should be inspected carefully to review the degree of matching between an organizations' Job and the Salary Survey Benchmark. Matching internal Jobs to Salary Survey Benchmark Jobs should not be done on Job Title alone. A thorough comparison of Salary Survey Benchmark to Internal Job Descriptions is recommended. A good overlap should exist on any comparisons used on critical Job Dimensions and Competencies.
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Trades and Related
Job Family: Mechanics
Benchmark Title: Aircraft Mechanics
 
Summary Job Description Tasks
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Includes helicopter and aircraft engine specialists. Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
 
Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
 
Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
 
Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
 
Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
 
Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.
 
Maintain, repair, and rebuild aircraft structures, functional components, and parts such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, and seals.
 
Measure the tension of control cables.
 
Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
 
Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.
 
Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools.
 
Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, and ammeters.
 
Obtain fuel and oil samples and check them for contamination.
 
Reassemble engines following repair or inspection and reinstall engines in aircraft.
 
Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.
 
Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications.
 
Install and align repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches.
 
Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules.
 
Clean, strip, prime, and sand structural surfaces and materials to prepare them for bonding.
 
Service and maintain aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities such as flushing crankcases, cleaning screens, and lubricating moving parts.
 
Examine engines through specially designed openings while working from ladders or scaffolds, or use hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from an aircraft.
 
Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks.
 
Inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment.
 
Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.
 
Remove or cut out defective parts or drill holes to gain access to internal defects or damage, using drills and punches.
 
Clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft.
 
Communicate with other workers to coordinate fitting and alignment of heavy parts, or to facilitate processing of repair parts.
 
Trim and shape replacement body sections to specified sizes and fits and secure sections in place, using adhesives, hand tools, and power tools.
 
Clean engines, sediment bulk and screens, and carburetors, adjusting carburetor float levels.
 
Prepare and paint aircraft surfaces.
 
Spread plastic film over areas to be repaired to prevent damage to surrounding areas.
 
Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.
 
Disassemble engines and inspect parts, such as turbine blades and cylinders, for corrosion, wear, warping, cracks, and leaks, using precision measuring instruments, x-rays, and magnetic inspection equipment.
 
Determine repair limits for engine hot section parts.
 
Cure bonded structures, using portable or stationary curing equipment.
 
Listen to operating engines to detect and diagnose malfunctions such as sticking or burned valves.
 
Accompany aircraft on flights to make in-flight adjustments and corrections.
 
Remove, inspect, repair, and install in-flight refueling stores and external fuel tanks.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Trades and Related
Job Family: Mechanics
Benchmark Title: Aircraft Mechanics
 
Important Knowledge Competencies Competency Description
Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 
Design Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 
Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 
Engineering and Technology Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 
Transportation Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 
Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 
Physics Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
 
Law and Government Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 
Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 
Chemistry Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
 
Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 
Clerical Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 
Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 
Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 
English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Trades and Related
Job Family: Mechanics
Benchmark Title: Aircraft Mechanics
 
Important Skill Competencies Competency Description
Equipment Maintenance Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
 
Repairing Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
 
Troubleshooting Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
 
Operation Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
 
Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
 
Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
 
Quality Control Analysis Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
 
Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
 
Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
 
Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
 
Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
 
Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
 
Equipment Selection Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
 
Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
 
Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
 
Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
 
Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others.
 
Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
 
Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
 
Systems Analysis Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
 
Systems Evaluation Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
 
Instructing Teaching others how to do something.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Trades and Related
Job Family: Mechanics
Benchmark Title: Aircraft Mechanics
 
Important Ability Competencies Competency Description
Finger Dexterity The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
 
Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
 
Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
 
Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
 
Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
 
Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
 
Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
 
Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
 
Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
 
Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
 
Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
 
Written Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
 
Flexibility of Closure The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
 
Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
 
Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
 
Perceptual Speed The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
 
Visual Color Discrimination The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
 
Visualization The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
 
Speech Recognition The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
 
Selective Attention The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
 
Category Flexibility The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
 
Speed of Closure The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
 
Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
 
Extent Flexibility The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
 
Hearing Sensitivity The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
 
Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
 
Far Vision The ability to see details at a distance.
 
Auditory Attention The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
 
Time Sharing The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
 
Reaction Time The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
 
Depth Perception The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Trades and Related
Job Family: Mechanics
Benchmark Title: Aircraft Mechanics
 
Tools/Technology Example Product Category
Access Software AIRPAX Facilities management software
 
CaseBank SpotLight Analytical or scientific software
 
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
 
Computerized aircraft log manager CALM software Information retrieval or search software
 
CynapSys Virtual DER Analytical or scientific software
 
DatcoMedia Ebis Accounting software
 
Engine analysis software Analytical or scientific software
 
Maintenance information databases Facilities management software
 
Maintenance planning software Facilities management software
 
Maintenance record software Facilities management software
 
Metis Systems MainTrack Data base user interface and query software
 
Mxi Technologies Maintenix Data base user interface and query software
 
Pentagon 2000SQL Data base user interface and query software
 
Sacramento Sky Ranch Mechanic's Toolbox Data base user interface and query software
 
Supply system software Inventory management software
 
Technical manual database software Information retrieval or search software
 
Tracware AeroTrac Enterprise resource planning ERP software
 
Acetylene welding equipment Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus
 
Adjustable wrenches Adjustable wrenches
 
Air compressors Air compressors
 
Air drills Pneumatic drill
 
Aircraft lifting jacks Jacks
 
Aircraft maintenance management systems Integrated maintenance information systems
 
Aircraft test stands Lifts
 
Aligning jigs Alignment jig
 
Allen wrenches Hex keys
 
Ammeters Ammeters
 
Arc welders Welders
 
Aviation spark plug sockets Sockets
 
Ball peen hammers Hammers
 
Bastard files Files
 
Borescopes Borescope inspection equipment
 
Brakes Workshop presses
 
Brass punches Punches or nail sets or drifts
 
Brazing equipment Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus
 
Bucking bars Rivet tools
 
Cable splicing knives Cable splicing kits
 
Calipers Calipers
 
Center punches Punches or nail sets or drifts
 
Channel lock pliers Locking pliers
 
Cleco pliers Hold down clamps
 
Cold chisels Cold chisels
 
Combination squares Squares
 
Combination wrenches Combination wrenches
 
Compasses Compasses
 
Compound leverage snips Tinners snips
 
Continuity meters Circuit tester
 
Cordless drills Power drills
 
Desktop computers Desktop computers
 
Diagonal cutting pliers Diagonal cut pliers
 
Dial indicators Gauges or inspection fixtures
 
Digital diagnostic equipment Digital testers
 
Dividers Compasses
 
Drill bits Drill bits
 
Drill presses Workshop presses
 
Duck bill pliers Flat nose pliers
 
Electric drills Power drills
 
Electrical current meters Voltage or current meters
 
End cutters End cut pliers
 
End wrenches Box end wrenches
 
External power units Ground power units for aircraft
 
Feeler gauges Feeler gauges
 
Files Files
 
Flat blade screwdrivers Screwdrivers
 
Flat chisels Cold chisels
 
Forklifts Forklifts
 
Go/no-go gauges Go or no go gauge
 
Hacksaws Saws
 
Hammers Hammers
 
Hand clamps Hand clamps
 
Hand drills Power drills
 
Hand nibblers Nibblers
 
Hand trucks Hand trucks or accessories
 
Handheld computers Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
 
Hearing protectors Ear muffs
 
Heat guns Heat guns
 
Hoists Hoists
 
Ignition analyzers Microprocessors
 
Ignition wrench sets Specialty wrenches
 
Inspection mirrors Magnifiers
 
Integrated maintenance and inventory systems Integrated maintenance information systems
 
Internal power units Ground power units for aircraft
 
LTB/400 maintenance management system Integrated maintenance information systems
 
Ladders Ladders
 
Laptop computers Notebook computers
 
Laser printers Laser printers
 
Lathes Lathes
 
Machinists' double point scribers Scribers
 
Magnetic inspection equipment Magnetic particle examination equipment
 
Magnetic pickup tools Magnetic tools
 
Maintenance and engineering information systems Integrated maintenance information systems
 
Maintenance planning systems Integrated maintenance information systems
 
Mallets Mallets
 
Manlifts Manlift or personnel lift
 
Measuring tapes Tape measures
 
Mechanical lifts Lifts
 
Micrometers Micrometers
 
Multimeters Multimeters
 
MxManager Integrated maintenance information systems
 
Needlenose pliers Needlenose pliers
 
Offset left aviation snips Metal cutters
 
Offset right aviation snips Metal cutters
 
Ohmmeters Ohmmeters
 
Open end wrenches Open end wrenches
 
Oscilloscopes Oscilloscopes
 
Paint sprayers Paint sprayers
 
Personal computers Personal computers
 
Phillips head screwdrivers Screwdrivers
 
Pin punches Punches or nail sets or drifts
 
Plastic tip hammers Hammers
 
Pneumatic riveters Rivet tools
 
Pneumatic wrenches Pneumatic impact wrenches
 
Portable maintenance access terminals Integrated maintenance information systems
 
Portable maintenance aids mobile computing devices Wearable computing devices
 
Portable rectifiers Rectifiers
 
Power grinders Power grinders
 
Power lifts Lifts
 
Power shears Shears
 
Pressure gauges Pressure indicators
 
Putty knives Putty knives
 
Pyrometers Pyrometers
 
Ratcheting screwdrivers Screwdrivers
 
Ratchets Ratchets
 
Resistance meters Calibrated resistance measuring equipment
 
Respirators Respirators
 
Reversible safety wire pliers Diagonal cut pliers
 
Rivet guns Rivet tools
 
Rulers Rulers
 
S.M.A.R.T aircraft maintenance tracking Integrated maintenance information systems
 
Safety glasses Safety glasses
 
Safety wire pliers Locking pliers
 
Scaffolding Scaffolding
 
Scales Scales
 
Screw extractor sets Screw extractors
 
Scribers Scribers
 
Sheet metal breakers Metal cutters
 
Slip joint pliers Slip or groove joint pliers
 
Socket wrench sets Socket sets
 
Soldering equipment Soldering irons or guns
 
Speed wrenches Specialty wrenches
 
Spring balance scales Pull spring balances
 
Squares Squares
 
Straight chisels Cold chisels
 
Straight cut aviation snips Metal cutters
 
Tablet computers Tablet computers
 
Taper punches Punches or nail sets or drifts
 
Templates Templates
 
Timing lights Speed sensors
 
Torque wrenches Torque wrenches
 
Touch screens Touch pads
 
Tow vehicles Aircraft pushback or tow tractors
 
Ultrasonic inspection equipment Ultrasonic examination equipment
 
Utility knives Utility knives
 
Vernier calipers Calipers
 
Vibration analyzers Vibration testers
 
Vise grip pliers Locking pliers
 
Voltmeters Voltage or current meters
 
Wearable computers Wearable computing devices
 
Wearable data input systems Portable data input terminals
 
Wearable point and click devices Wearable computing devices
 
Welding goggles Goggles
 
Wire crimpers Wire lug crimping tool
 
Wire cutting tools Wire cutters
 
Wire strippers Stripping tools
 
X ray inspection equipment X ray radiography examination equipment
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Trades and Related
Job Family: Mechanics
Benchmark Title: Aircraft Mechanics
 
Prerequisite Qualification Category Education and Experience Level
Required Level of Education Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
 
On-the-Job Training Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
 
On-Site or In-Plant Training Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
 
On-the-Job Training Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Trades and Related
Job Family: Mechanics
Benchmark Title: Aircraft Mechanics
 
Alternate Job Title(s)
A&P Mechanic
Aircraft Accessories Mechanic
Aircraft Air Conditioning Mechanic
Aircraft Body and Bonded Structure Repairer
Aircraft Cylinder Mechanic
Aircraft Engine Mechanic
Aircraft Engine Specialist
Aircraft Engine Technician
Aircraft Magneto Mechanic
Aircraft Maintenance Director
Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Aircraft Mechanic
Aircraft Motor Mechanic
Aircraft Restorer
Aircraft Rigging and Controls Mechanic
Aircraft Steel Fabricator
Aircraft Structure Mechanic
Aircraft Technician
Aircraft Worker
Airframe Mechanic
Airframe Technician
Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic
Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A and P Mechanic)
Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Apprentice
Airline Mechanic
Airplane Mechanic
Airplane Mechanic Apprentice
Airplane Rigger
Airplane Technician
Airplane Tester
Aviation Maintenance Technician
Aviation Mechanic
Aviation Support Equipment Repairer
Burnisher and Bumper
Carburetor Expert
Carburetor Specialist
Dinkey Engine Mechanic
Engine Installer
Engineman
Experimental Aircraft Mechanic
Experimental Rocketsled Mechanic
FAA Certified Powerplant Mechanic
Flight Test Mechanic
Flight Test Shop Mechanic
Fuel System Maintenance Worker
Heat and Vent Aircraft Mechanic
Helicopter Mechanic
Hydraulic Mechanic
Ignition Mechanic
Jet Aircraft Servicer
Jet Engine Mechanic
Jet Mechanic
Landing Gear Mechanic
Launching Pad Mechanic
Magneto Electrician
Mechanical Developer Prover
Metal Fabricator
Missile Mechanic
Pneudraulic Systems Mechanic
Power Plant Installer
Preflight Mechanic
Propeller Mechanic
Propeller-Driven Airplane Mechanic
Rocket Engine Component Mechanic
Rocket Engine Mechanic
Rotor Blade Installer
Supercharger Mechanic
Trouble Shooter
Vacuum System Tester
X Ray Examiner of Aircraft
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Trades and Related
Job Family: Mechanics
Benchmark Title: Aircraft Mechanics
 
 
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