Life as Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)

Big Airlines, government, private entities, and the hire aircraft mechanics/engineers to assess, repair and do scheduled maintenance of the aircrafts as per the SOP provided by the plane manufacturers. Hence the aircraft maintenance engineer (AME’s) have an enormous amount of responsibility as they do the task of maintaining and scrutinizing aircraft for service and performance while complying to the safety standards prescribed by the manufacturer and regulating authority. So in short the primary responsibility of AME’s it that to keep the aircraft in great physical state with high level of performance and very low downtime without comprising on safety as it is directly associated with the life of the passenger’s onboarding the aircraft. 

Like all other industries there has been a lot of innovation in the airplanes, in today’s scenario airplanes are exceedingly complex machines that require consistent service and reliable parts to fly safely. Hence, to do that AME’s and technicians follow the SOP which is basically a four step process:

1. Identify issues
2. Schedule the repair
3. Perform the Repair
4. Monitor the performance, and then back to Step 1

So typical aircraft maintenance engineer and technicians do the following tasks:

• Inspecting aircraft frames and parts for faults.
• Spotting mechanical or electrical issues.
• Determine the wear and tear of parts using modern instruments.
• Creating new repair methodologies after referring to Maintenance manuals.
• Perform repairs of the wings, power-assisted brake, electrical systems, and other aircraft machineries.
• Replacing faulty parts, using regular tools
• Test new installed aircraft parts with instruments used for monitoring.
• Examine completed work to ensure that it meets performance criteria.
• Keeps records of maintenance and restoration work.

So after seeing the work to be done by AME it is important to understand that there are two approaches. Some aircraft mechanics work on all types’ aircraft, jets, and helicopters that is called as all in one approach. There are others who specialize in one section of a particular type of aircraft which could be engine, hydraulics, or electrical system of an aircraft etc. that is called as specific approach. Both have its benefits and its demerits it is an individual choice to select one.

Attributes required to be good Aircraft Maintenance engineer

Qualities of accomplished AME is being independent, firm, tenacious, genuine, practical, and prudent. They enjoy tasks that are palpable, physical, athletic, or anything which involves use of muscle power.

Work Environment for AME?

Aircraft engineers usually work in hangars, in repair stations, or on aerodromes. Atmosphere in these areas is generally quite stressful because of the strict deadlines to sustain flight schedules without comprising the safety standards. The work can be deafening due to loud aircraft engines which make a lot of noise, it can be compared to the environment present in automobile factories.

This is a brief snapshot dwelling into a life of aircraft maintenance engineer, so if you have fascination of planes and want to know more about this beautiful but powerful machinery, AME is the course for you to get enrolled into, so do this internal exercise and make a flying choice for yourself.