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General Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Education and Training

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

By Andrea Townsley
The duties of a general aircraft maintenance, repair and overall (MRO) mechanic are extensive. Every time a plane takes off, it must be in perfect working order to ensure the safety of its occupants. This is where you come in, and you must have the proper education and training to work on these complex vehicles.

Aviation maintenance education takes upwards of a year and a half to complete. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has set forth strict rules regarding certification of anyone doing aircraft repairs. Consider the following when seeking out training:

1. Go through the proper classes to learn how to do aircraft MRO. This will ensure that you have a good foundation of knowledge in the subject.

2. Get your Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance Certificate. There are a variety of aircraft repair facilities that can provide you with the necessary experience.

3. Buy some training manuals to help you out. You can use these to help you pass your certification exams or just as references to use when you start work.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

  • 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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