Maintainers: The Unsung Hero's of Aviation
Maintainers have always been those guys (or gals) quietly hanging back on the sideline while the pilots stand in the lime light soaking up the attention. Aircraft mechanics are really the hero’s of the day that no one ever really talks about, especially today when most things can be found on a digital screen. All the pilot needs to do in some cases it just push a few buttons and sit back for the ride.
At this point you might be starting to feel bad for all of us maintainers. Well, I can assure you, don’t. Most maintainers are perfectly happy sitting back out of the spotlight and not surrounded by mobs of people. Mechanics don’t thrive and bask in the recognition others, we thrive in a job well done. For a mechanic, there is nothing more satisfyingly then working hard all night, and then watching your hard work successfully fly away from you the next morning. That is where a mechanic finds his or her joy.
Maintainer approved gear
What is it that mechanic’s actually use aside from tools? I thought about this question for a long time and truth be told, tools and proper clothing is really all a mechanic needs; aside from the proper licenses of course. However, there are some very specific tools that every good mechanic should have in his or her toolbox which I have listed below.
As far as tools go, you can get them anywhere. Yes, it does make your life easier if you have good quality tools from reputable sellers such as MATCO or SnapOn BUT, they are extremely expensive. So unless you can afford it and/or are just starting out, don’t bother. If your going to upgrade your tools in the future, you won’t be disappointed with either of these brands.
- Safety Wire Pliers (A must for mechanics)
- SAE 1/4 inch Drive Socket Set (For the majority of my career as a mechanic SAE is what I have used BUT, there are occasions where you will use metric. I have a full set of both SAE and metric)
- SAE 3/8 inch Drive Socket Set
- Cable Tension Gauged (General Aviation; if you work for a big name company they will have this)
- Compression Tester (General Aviation)
- Torque Wrench in in/lbs (Keep in mind that these tools need to be calibrated on an annual basis)
- Torque Wrench ft/lbs
- Fluke Meter
- 0.32 Thousands Safety wire (Most common but, you will come across 0.20 and 0.40 thousandth)
The Bane of A Mechanic: Reading Material
- Airworthiness Directives [ADs] (You can use the search function on the FAA website; primarily for general aviation. If you work for a big name company someone else will do the paperwork and print out the documentation for you, usually)
- eCFR Title 14 Part 43 (Every mechanic should know this)
- Aviation Maintenance Technical Handbook [General] (Free on the FAA website)
- Aviation Maintenance Technical Handbook [Airframe Vol. 1&2] (Free on the FAA website)
- Aviation Maintenance Technical Handbook [Powerplant Vol. 1&2] (Free on the FAA website)
- Weight and Balance Handbook (Free on the FAA website)
- 2021 Paperback Test Guide, General (Cheapest I found it in paper form)
- 2121 Test Guide Bundle, General (eBook and Prepware)
- 2022 Paperback Test Guide, Airframe
- 2021 Test Guide Bundle, Airframe (eBook and Prepware)
- 2022 Paperback Test Guide, Powerplant
- 2021 Test Guide Bundle, Powerplant
Disclaimer: The FAA does occasionally update this material. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you have the most recent revision.
- Paperback Test Guide, Inspection Authorization [Amazon] (Unlike the other test guides, this book changes every few years. You can find it on eBay used for a good price if you don’t want to buy it new)
- Federal Aviation Regulations, AMT (FARs) [Amazon] (This book rules every mechanic’s career)
- Aviation Mechanic Handbook: The Aviation Standard [Amazon] (I have a hard copy and e-version of this)
Training & Professional Development
- National Aviation Academy (This is the school I went to and would highly recommend it to anyone. Keep in mind, it is a technical school so its not cheap)
- Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (Ranked #1 in the nation but, expect to pay for it)
- T Black Aviation [Clearwater, FL] (IA test prep training for all of you who want the classroom experience)
Scholarship Opportunities
- Women in Aviation [AWAM] (Must be a member)
- 99s (Must be a member)
- Whirly-Girls (For all you rotor guys or girls; must be a member for at least 1 year)
- Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Campus (They have both student and non-student opportunities)