Military aircraft builders and suppliers should always have a job as long as our country requires the use of armed forces. With improvements in manufacturing and technology, producers and buyers need to stay current with any changes to the industry. Refusing to do so can leave you in the dust, so to speak.

Those working with or for military aircraft builders know what a difficult industry it can be. By using technology advances, you can make your product better if you're a vendor, and it can seem that much more appealing if you're a buyer. But in order to use technology to your advantage, you need to first consider the following when paying attention to military aircraft makers news and trends:

1. Check out online sites or blogs for up-to-date military plane manufacturers information.

2. Subscribe to publications featuring articles on military aircraft manufacturers.

3. Join organizations to connect with military aviation manufacturers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate blogs or forums that provide information on military airplane builders

Read military aircraft blogs published by a variety of individuals and professionals within the industry. Most of the time these sites are updated daily or weekly to update readers with the latest news. The same with forums; these media outlets allow the general public to chime in with any news or tips they may be privy to, informing others in the process.

I recommend: Look to the forums published through Aircraft Maintenance Technology. People from all over the world can post in its forum, so take time to search through the list of posts to get started. Go straight to the U.S. military and look to Military.com and its forum regarding military airplane parts.

Subscribe to periodicals about military airplane manufacturers

Become a regular subscriber to military airplane parts magazines to follow the latest news and trends on a regular basis. These publications should also offer advertising opportunities to help get your company name out to others.

I recommend: Look to Military & Aerospace Electronics and its free magazine or e-newsletters. Focusing on what's popular in the industry, the publications feature timely articles about commercial off-the-shelf technologies. Code One is a magazine published by aircraft mogul Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

Seek out organizations or associations to network with military plane makers

Becoming a member of an organization links you with others who possess a similar interest, and fighter aircraft manufacturers are no different. With several associations available, it's easy enough to become a member, where you can become inundated with conferences or other gatherings. Oftentimes these organizations provide newsletters to let members know of anything newsworthy.

I recommend: Become a member of the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), which opens up many opportunities for conferences and networking. You can also join a smaller group catered toward ex-military aircraft called the Warbirds. Check out the Air Force Association where you can attend symposiums and conferences to learn about military aviation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask your military aircraft suppliers for any tips they may know. They might be willing to give you information or catalogs on how they're improving their military aircraft products.

Finding military plane manufacturers and military aircraft suppliers can be trickier than it seems. Military airplane builders and suppliers are part of a close knit niche market with expensive products and highly sensitive contracts. Practicing the utmost in discretion and confidentiality is a fighter plane manufacturer and US military aircraft manufacturers specialty.

Military plane manufacturers specialize in everything from planes to helicopters to unmanned vehicles. Their products come in all shapes and sizes, and their range of products, customers and employees vary widely.

To make the most of information on military aircraft makers:

1. Look for military aircraft suppliers of parts for specific helicopter or airplane parts.

2. Check out the various military aviation manufacturers the US has to offer.

3. Look at levels of production in addition to cost and expectation when choosing a potential manufacturer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look to military aircraft suppliers for new and used parts

Take advantage of new and used parts from military aircraft manufacturers and suppliers. Work to connect manufacturers to assemble your aircraft.

I recommend: Find aircraft parts hot sheet from the Aircraft GSE Buyers Guide. Use AvSupport to find suppliers, send RFQs and research parts. Buy or sell military aircraft parts through Inventory Locator Service. Use the parts locator service from WBParts.

Take a look at big name military aircraft builders

Find out about the major military aircraft manufacturers in the industry. Look at big name companies, but also consider smaller companies as well.

I recommend: Scan through what Boeing has to offer in terms of military aircrafts. Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company, and it is the largest manufacturer both commercial jetliners and military aircrafts. Find out how Britten-Norman aircrafts are great for urban surveillance, maritime surveillance and counter-terrorism operations. Check out the aircraft programs through Lockheed Martin. The majority of their business comes from the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. federal government agencies.

Compare military aircraft builders to find the right one for you

Look at additional available military plane manufacturers to find the right supplier for you.

I recommend: Learn about Sikorsky helicopters from United Technologies. Check out the Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 Tanker. This aircraft specializes in tanker/transport aircraft refueling air force vehicles. Ryan Aerospace works on the licensing of US and military aircrafts for manufacturing and marketing in the US. Find out more about the military sector of aircrafts from Stavatti Military Aerospace.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look at military aircraft manufacturers that come with a long tradition of service in the industry and that can offer you a broad range of capabilities.
• •  Find military plane manufacturers who excel in their research and design, who use advanced technology in their development and manufacturing of their planes and helicopters.

Military airplane manufacturers are essential to the defense and aerospace industry. With national defense a high priority, the military aviation business is constantly seeking new workers, technicians and manufacturers to keep supply affordable and competitive.

Whether it's designing the next fighter jet or assembling its components, a number of jobs and professions are essential to the productivity of the military and domestic aviation industry. When it comes to military aircraft makers education and training:

1. Learn about the certification you may need to work for military aircraft makers

2. Understand that practical experience is key to productive military airplane builders

3. Realize that military airplane manufacturers rely on individuals with high levels of expertise to stay competitive

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get certified to work as an airplane mechanic for military aircraft builders

Certification ensures that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to become an airplane mechanic. Most military plane manufacturers will expect this as a minimum qualification.

I recommend: The Federal Aviation Administration lists the basic requirements to become an airplane mechanic. The Carolina Aeronautical A&P offers certification programs and guarantees that you will have all the knowledge necessary to pass the tests.

Use apprenticeships to gain hands on experience for military plane manufacturers

Apprenticeships are a tradition in the manufacturing industries and this is no less true in the aircraft manufacturing industry. Skills learned in an apprenticeship role allow trained workers to transfer skills between domestic and military airplane manufacturers. The skills you can learn in apprenticeship are usually basic to metal working techniques rather than specific to the type of plane under construction.

I recommend: The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers and The Boeing Company (IAM/Boeing) offer a joint apprenticeship program to train workers and employees how to be military airplane builders on-site. The U.S. Department of Labor offers a registered apprenticeship model that the manufacturing industry utilizes. For aerospace, the apprenticeship program offers manufacturing in metal skills. The site also has career and training videos as links on left hand side of the page.

Get a college education to join the field of military plane makers

All military aviation manufacturers require a number of highly educated members on their team, from engineers to aerospace designers. These top positions with U.S. military aircraft manufacturers require a college education. America's colleges offer formal training for anyone who wants to become military jet manufacturers or military jet builders, among other things.

I recommend: The University of Maryland offers an aerospace engineering program. U.S. College Search offers a list of links to the American colleges offering education in aviation management that prepares individuals for both domestic and military manufacturing management in the aerospace industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Changes in the aerospace industry are constant and keeping up with changing styles and methods is a must. Consider subscribing to a magazine or website that reviews military aircraft suppliers and military aircraft parts to stay a step ahead of the competition.