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Understand--in no uncertain terms--your legal obligation in regard to general aviation maintenance

The moment your business uses its aircraft to make money, rules and laws apply to your planes and pilots that don't apply to private aircraft and pilots. Many of these rules apply to your pilots but some address aircraft maintenance and repair, depending on how your business uses its aircraft. Following the rules governing general aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul basics is crucial to the safe and legal operation of commercial aircraft.

I recommend: Find the rules governing your aircraft and general aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Your company should also keep a copy of the most recent FAR/AIM manual on hand. You can purchase a copy of this manual, which Jeppesen publishes annually, at your local flight shop or online at Sporty's.

Hire a qualified A&P or AI or an aircraft maintenance company

Whether you hire one or two certified mechanics or an aircraft maintenance company will depend on the number of aircraft your business owns as well as your budget. Each option has its benefits and downfalls. If you hire a full-time A&P, then that person make aircraft repairs or performs other aircraft maintenance services on your schedule, but you'll pay a salary even when you don't need the A&P. Aircraft maintenance services may cost your company less money, but you'll have to work around their schedule.

I recommend: Consider both options before making a decision. You'll get a good idea of where to find a qualified aircraft maintenance service at Thirty Thousand Feet. To find an A&P or an AI, register on Avjobs and search its resume database.

Let your mechanic or aircraft repair company know your business is committed to aviation maintenance

Whether its aircraft maintenance, aircraft repairs or an aircraft overhaul (together known as aircraft MRO), aviation services like these don't come cheap. It's tempting to cut corners on aviation maintenance, and while some companies may put off some general aircraft maintenance, it often costs more money in the long term and makes pilots and mechanics uneasy. Let your aviation staff know your business will perform general aircraft maintenance regularly and make needed aircraft repairs immediately.

I recommend: Post something called a "squawk sheet" in the maintenance hangar. Pilots list issues with aircraft on a squawk sheet, and mechanics address those issues. Make sure the issues get addressed in a timely fashion. You can get a sample of a squawk sheet from the documents section of the Flying Twenty. In addition to a squawk sheet, make sure your pilots have access to an aircraft flight log like the one available at PilotMall.com. This lets pilots see what aircraft MRO have been performed on the plane.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't ever question your pilots' judgment. If they tell you they feel something's not right with the aircraft, then contact your mechanic or aircraft maintenance service immediately.

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Go with the best in aircraft repair

If it falls within your budgetary means, consider going with the top aircraft repair providers in the field.

I recommend: Honeywell can give you global engineering support and a world-class reputation. Victorville Aerospace offers aircraft MRO services with a specialization in Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed and Martin. They service both narrow and wide bodied aircrafts. Lockheed Martin specializes in MRO services for military organizations.

Consider other aircraft maintenance companies

Find a large number of additional aircraft maintenance companies out there to help you with your repair and maintenance services.

I recommend: King Aerospace can offer you routine and non-routine maintenance. Robbins-Gioia can help government agencies with their aircraft maintenance to maximize equipment life. Derco Aerospace, a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company, has an 80,000 square foot facility that specializes in cost-effective repairs. AAR has expanded it maintenance repair overhaul capabilities with the acquisition of Avborne Heavy Maintenance. They have 467 aviation maintenance technicians and Airbus capabilities.

Find aircraft MRO resources for your next project

Take advantage of the many aircraft MRO resources available out there. From planning an internship to finding background information to optimizing your materials, there is a wealth of knowledge available on the subject of aircraft MRO.

I recommend: Check out the MRO resources available from Aviation Week. Purchase MRO resources from the Aircraft Technical Book Company. Check out the aviation maintenance internships available through myTECHNIC. Purchase infoTRAK MRO software to help you optimize the right production materials for your aircraft MRO project.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While you may not be able to afford aircraft maintenance from top aircraft MRO providers, take a look at what they have to offer anyway. You may like something about their products and services that you can discuss with your chosen MRO provider.

Guide to General Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Education and Training

Get the right training to prepare you for providing aircraft maintenance services

By Andrea Townsley, Owner, Keystone Writing Services

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Take classes in aircraft maintenance and repair

To get any job as an aircraft mechanic, it's preferable to graduate from some kind of mechanic training program. There are schools all over the United States, and there are some training programs available online. While having a post-secondary degree isn't required, it may increase your pay when you get hired as a mechanic.

I recommend: Consider enrolling in one of the degree programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which runs several campuses as well as online programs. Find a maintenance school in your area using the search feature at the Federal Aviation Administration.

Gain real-world experience with aircraft maintenance companies

In order to obtain your Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance Certificate, you'll need at least 30 months of supervised training experience (or 18 months if you're only seeking one certification). This may be done at any FAA-approved facility, like a repair station or fixed base operator (FBO). Note that while you do not need this certification to be a mechanic, chances are, you will not be hired without it, due to the need for supervision of uncertified techs.

I recommend: Consider contacting one of the repair stations that belong to the Aeronautical Repair Station Association. Find an FBO using Aviation Data Systems.

Keep aircraft MRO books and manuals on hand

There are times when everyone needs to brush up on a subject. For example, if you get reassigned to a different division at your job or are about to start a new job, you'll need to refresh your memory to properly perform your new duties. Having training manuals available for reference will ensure that you'll always have the necessary information at your fingertips.

I recommend: See if any of the manuals at Aircraft Technical Book Company can guide you. Western Skies Pilot Supplies also has a large selection of books and CDs.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There is another option as far as getting your general aircraft, maintenance, repair and overhaul education and training: enlisting in the military. The United States Armed Forces offers the best training around. Just make sure that your military occupation specialty is one that the FAA will give you credit for.

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Airframe and powerplant mechanic

An airframe and powerplant mechanic, also called an A & P in the industry, performs all the required maintenance and repair on any aircraft. An A & P may oversee another mechanic learning the trade but the A & P will inspect all work and sign off on it.

I recommend: The United States Department of Labor has a full job description for an airframe and powerplant mechanic.

Control surfaces

The control surfaces of an aircraft are any parts of the surface of the aircraft that a pilot controls in flight. Control surfaces, such as flaps an ailerons, must have free range of motion, move fluidly and happen on the pilot's command.

I recommend: The Aviation History Online Museum has an interactive page that lists the control surfaces of an airplane. As you move your mouse over a control surface, the website provides you with a comprehensive definition for that control surface.

Flight instruments

Inside the cockpit there are six flight instruments that must work for a pilot to be able to fly safely and navigate accurately. These six flight instruments include the airspeed indicator, attitude indicator, altimeter, turn coordinator, heading indicator and vertical speed indicator.

I recommend: Silent Giants, from Ronald H. Gruner, defines these six instruments and explains how they work together.

Empennage

The empennage refers to the rear parts of an airplane. Generally this does not include the powerplant, cockpit or passenger cabin. The empennage has cables and control surfaces that must remain in good working order for the pilot to be able to fly the plane.

I recommend: American Flyers illustrates and describes empennage.

Fuselage

The fuselage includes the main body of the airplane. It does not include the empennage or the powerplant. The wings attach to the fuselage. The fuselage must remain structurally sound for a plane to remain in good working order.

I recommend: WiseGEEK defines fuselage, while the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has a basic drawing of a fuselage.

Powerplant

An aircraft's powerplant includes its power source, or engine. It also includes its propeller.

I recommend: Free-online-private-pilot-ground-school.com not only defines an aircraft's powerplant, but it breaks down the various systems and explains how they work as well.