EASAonline looks at the career of an Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic or Engineer

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Introduction

As a career starting in Aviation or Airport Services Aircraft Maintenance either Base or Line may be just the job for you!

Line maintenance is very satisfying and rewarding with the opportunity to progress to higher positions either within the organisation or in other organisations. 

Aircraft technicians and Engineers typically specialise as either B1 Airframe Engine & Electrical or B2 Avionic plus Electrical.  B1 Engineers who service engines, airframes and hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and the associated electrical systems and B2 avionic Engineers who service and overhaul the electronic systems, instruments, flight control, navigation and communication systems of aircraft as well as Aircraft Electrical Systems (task shared with B1)

Line maintenance essentially is maintenance that is performed on aircraft while they still remain operational, (carrying out routine maintenance of the aircraft on the ground during the turnaround between flights) whereas for Base Maintenance the level of maintenance is somewhat deeper. (Carrying out full servicing of the aircraft within the hangar at regular intervals typically at C check level) 

In the majority of cases Aircraft Maintenance is provided either by airlines own staff or standalone aircraft maintenance organisations (Maintenance Repair Organisations - MRO)

In order to perform and certify maintenance on aircraft both the organisation and the individual must be appropriately approved under the terms of the civil aviation requirements of the particular country, whilst this is different from country to country the European countries have a common system – see EASA Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Licence. (AMEL)

Line maintenance staff have to accept the challenge of working outside all year round with seasonal climates this may be very challenging in the winter. Often in larger organisations the line maintenance position is seen as a premium position and it is necessary first to spend time on base as a base maintenance mechanic.

What about the Salary and other Conditions for Aircraft Maintenance Positions?

Multiple factors may directly affect what Aviation Maintenance Engineers Salary level - for example - Entry Level – assistant Mechanic / Support – through to Certifying Shift Leader. Maintenance Assistant Jobs are generally taken by people who have not completed formal maintenance training, for those who have completed Basic Aeronautical Maintenance Engineering training the next step is either Airport Maintenance Mechanic or airline Maintenance mechanic. Once the person gains appropriate qualifications they come an engineer who is able to certify the aircraft as serviceable for flight.

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