What makes for a good aviation mechanic?

An aviation mechanic—also called aircraft mechanic or aviation technician—is a professional who diagnoses, repairs, and troubleshoots the engines, systems, and technology of airplanes. The role they play in ensuring optimum plane performance and guaranteeing pilot and passenger safety cannot be underestimated, says aviation and aerospace expert Scott Beale.

Image source: imagine-america.org

 In other words, aviation mechanics have to be good all the time. But with aircraft systems and controls now becoming more computerized and digitized, they’ve to have at least get an associate degree. Maintenance workers need to have a thorough educational background on computer repair and aviation flight instruments. Solid experience is a big plus, but even seasoned professionals need to contend with the influx of (and be familiar with) new aviation technology.

The FAA, of course, has clear and strict guidelines to this end, mandating aircraft maintenance to be performed or at least supervised by certified mechanics. Indeed, credentials are key to this line of work; in fact, distinct certifications are required for plane bodywork and engine work.

Image source: aircraftmechaniccareer.com

One way to ensure that hired mechanics completely know what they’re doing is to check their Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings. For this, mechanics need to be fluent in English, having a full, 30 months of aircraft maintenance experience, and at least be 18 years of age. A known alternative to an A&P rating is the completion of the Aviation Maintenance Technician School program.

There’s also the Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) program certification received through the National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies. Finally, the FCC issues a radio-telephone operator certification for avionics technicians who plan on working on airplanes’ communication equipment. All in all, being a good aviation mechanic is mostly dictated by his or her gained credentials, adds Scott Beale.

Aviation and aerospace professional Scott Beale is responsible for piloting the successful business turnaround of Aerodynamics Inc. As its CEO from 2011 to 2015, Scott helped increase the company’s profitability with new business initiatives and diversification efforts. Visit this blog for more posts on aviation.

There have been a ton of new technologies and developments in aviation in recent years: from hybrid and electric propulsion, improved fuel economy, and blended wing designs to reduced emissions, more secure connectivity, and additive manufacturing. In this blog, aviation expert Scott Beale lists down common themes and threads to watch in the aviation and aerospace sector in the coming years. Air taxis: Expect prototypes and demonstration flights of air taxis from various manufacturers in late 2019. These planes include Kittyhawk’s Cora, Boeing’s Aurora, and Airbus’ Vahana. Even Uber is working on bringing its services to the sky with its own set of experimental air taxis. Electric flight: Various startups are racing to develop prototypes for short-travel aircraft, hoping to energize regional aviation. For now, green aircraft propulsion is still in the middle of hybrid-electric and fully-electric. But agencies and manufacturers like NASA, Airbus, and Zunum are keen on developing full-fledged electric planes which could take to the sky in the coming decade. Narrow-body aircraft : Boeing just launched its 797 line, a new midsize, narrow-body plane that’s aimed to replace both the 757 and 767. This coincides with the first flight of the aviation manufacturer’s new 777X, which features folding wingtips that permit the plane to fit into standard-sized airport gates, explains Scott Beale. Unmanned planes: Boeing is also at the forefront in building military-grade aircraft, as evidenced by its prototype MQ-25 Stingray. The unmanned plane, the product of a multi-million US defense contract, also features a carrier-based, aerial-refueling system. Aerospace and aviation professional Scott Beale was responsible for expanding FlightWorks from a $1.5 million-dollar business when he purchased it in 2000 to a $90-million enterprise when he sold the business in 2010. Visit this blogfor related posts.

There have been a ton of new technologies and developments in aviation in recent years: from hybrid and electric propulsion, improved fuel economy, and blended wing designs to reduced emissions, more secure connectivity, and additive manufacturing. In this blog, aviation expert Scott Beale lists down common themes and threads to watch in the aviation and aerospace sector in the coming years.

Image source: newzbase.com

Air taxis: Expect prototypes and demonstration flights of air taxis from various manufacturers in late 2019. These planes include Kittyhawk’s Cora, Boeing’s Aurora, and Airbus’ Vahana. Even Uber is working on bringing its services to the sky with its own set of experimental air taxis.

Electric flight: Various startups are racing to develop prototypes for short-travel aircraft, hoping to energize regional aviation. For now, green aircraft propulsion is still in the middle of hybrid-electric and fully-electric. But agencies and manufacturers like NASA, Airbus, and Zunum are keen on developing full-fledged electric planes which could take to the sky in the coming decade.

Image source: eurekamagazine.co.uk

Narrow-body aircraft : Boeing just launched its 797 line, a new midsize, narrow-body plane that’s aimed to replace both the 757 and 767. This coincides with the first flight of the aviation manufacturer’s new 777X, which features folding wingtips that permit the plane to fit into standard-sized airport gates, explains Scott Beale.

Unmanned planes: Boeing is also at the forefront in building military-grade aircraft, as evidenced by its prototype MQ-25 Stingray. The unmanned plane, the product of a multi-million US defense contract, also features a carrier-based, aerial-refueling system.

Aerospace and aviation professional Scott Beale was responsible for expanding FlightWorks from a $1.5 million-dollar business when he purchased it in 2000 to a $90-million enterprise when he sold the business in 2010. Visit this blogfor related posts.