Aircraft Materials Education and Training
Where to find aircraft materials education and training
Powerplant and airframe mechanics work with aircraft supplies, aviation materials and aircraft power supplies as a routine part of their trade. As part of their training as aircraft mechanics, students learn about engines, aircraft composite materials and electronics. Lightweight aviation materials, airplane material repair and aircraft aluminum repair all require a level of skill and training obtained through certified schools and hands-on experience.Specific training with a school certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is required when working with aviation materials and aircraft power supplies. Once you complete your schooling, which typically takes 18 to 24 months, you can get a job in working with aircraft supplies and aviation materials. Opportunities include but are not limited to:
1. Aircraft avionics and communication devices,
2. Aviation materials such as aircraft grade aluminum and aircraft power supplies, or
3. Aircraft composite materials.
Learn about careers involving airplane materials
Before you can work with airplane materials you'll have to get certified to do so. Common certifications include AMP (Aviation Maintenance Professional) and A & P (Airframe and Powerplant). Before you sign on at an aviation academy and learn to work with avionics, airframes or powerplants, do a bit of research to make sure you're entering the right field for you.
Try: Occupation Outlook from the U.S. Department of Labor discusses opportunities for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and service technicians. EarnMyDegree.com also offers a realistic breakdown of the job market, career expectations and detailed work activities.
Measure your aptitude for working with commercial aircraft materials
When it comes to working with airplane materials, mechanical aptitude is a must. You can take practice mechanical aptitude tests to gauge how easily you may understand what you'll learn as part of your aircraft materials education and training. If you don't score well on the aptitude tests, that doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue a career working with airplane materials--it just means you may have to work harder than some of your colleagues.
Try: Test Prep Review offers free test preparation for the ASVAB, one test that measures mechanical aptitude. APR Testing Services can help you prepare for the Wiesen Test for Mechanical Aptitude (WTMA), another good metric for mechanical aptitude.
Find an FAA-approved school that offers aircraft materials education and training
If, after the two steps above, you know that you want to pursue aircraft materials education and training, then it's time to find a school that can get you on your way. FAA-certified programs exist across the country so you'll probably have no trouble finding one near you.
Try: The FAA lets you search for maintenance schools by area so you can find schools close to you. Look for a program description as thorough as the ones illustrated at the University of Washington.
- Hands-on experience with airplane materials helps make your training make sense. Consider getting a job at a small airport working around aviation materials or working with aircraft material suppliers to foster a better understanding of what you're studying.
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