Passengers aboard flights throughout the United Kingdom and the world perhaps overlook the many professionals involved in their safe travels. While pilots, customer service representatives, and flight attendants are the most visible faces in the airline industry, aircraft technicians are vital to the successful and efficient flight of airplanes around the world. Aircraft technicians are tasked with the inspection, repair, and servicing of airplane frames, engines, and landing gear. These technicians are often versatile, working on a variety of different airplanes and helicopters throughout their career.



The average day for an aircraft technician involves checking airplanes and helicopters for flight readiness. Depending on the specialization of a particular technician, a general flight check can include a review of the engines, airframe, navigation systems, radios, and radars. One of the most important aspects of an aircraft technician's job is certifying that every plane and helicopter that they inspect is ready for flight. These certifications are no small matter, as they show the flight readiness of commercial airlines holding hundreds of thousands of fliers every year.

Aerospace companies, the British government, and airlines look for a certain set of skills out of their aircraft technicians. Because of the power that these technicians hold in determining the flight readiness of commercial airliners, a high sense of integrity and confidentiality is important. As well, aircraft technicians need to be able to concentrate and exhibit a strong sense of logic when it comes to determining the flight capabilities of certain vehicles. Technicians also need to be savvy when it come to technology, since they have to inspect a wide range of technologies.

There are a number of ways for professionals to break into the aerospace industry as aircraft technicians. One of the most popular ways for technicians to enter the industry is by signing up for a term of service with the Royal Air Force. The RAF not only allows practical experience for young professionals interested in being an aircraft technician but helps technicians become certified for work as commercial airline technicians. As well, apprenticeships and part-time work through recruiting agencies can also help develop a long term connection with an aerospace company.

Aircraft technicians typically work between 40 and 45 hours per week, dependent on time of year and the length of repair projects. Technicians typically perform their job duties out on the runway, which means enduring bad weather and a variety of inclement conditions. However, specialists in navigation systems and other electronic systems perform most of their work in hangars.