So you are interested in becoming an aircraft mechanic, perhaps you have always been intrigued by aviation. If so, you may be wondering whether or not you can cut it as an aircraft mechanic. I mean, after all, this isn't grandma's station wagon we are fixing here, Mechanic Bracknell this is an advanced aircraft capable of carrying hundreds of passengers.
Let me put you mind as ease. Sure, being an aircraft mechanic does come with lots of responsibility and a certain amount of stress, this is no secret. But that stress can be managed by following proper procedure while doing maintenance. All aircraft come with a set of procedures for doing various tasks which should be followed.
It is also true that some people just make better aircraft mechanic than others. Not all mechanics are created equal. This is good because there are multiple skills required to keep an aircraft safe. Every mechanic has strong and weak areas. Structure mechanics for instance, or sheet metal mechanics, can work magic when it comes to forming aluminum and making structural repairs. They see the aircraft as sheets of aluminum all fastened together with rivets. These technicians must have a keen eye and a steady hand. The old saying "measure twice, cut once" certainly applies here. Sheet metal mechanics can earn a very good salary once they perfect the art. Avionics or aircraft electricians is another area of aircraft maintenance that requires a special set of skills. These technicians must be able to read and interpret wiring schematics and installation drawings. If you have ever looked at an aircraft wiring diagram, you will see how difficult this can be. These mechanics can trace down a broken wire in the hundreds of miles of wiring within a modern aircraft without batting an eye. Ask an avionics mechanic to perform a structures mechanics' job and you will more than likely not like the outcome.
Other Useful Skills
There are other skills or personality traits that also come in handy as an aircraft mechanic. The willingness to leave your ego at the door. Being an aircraft mechanic means you will be wrong about something at some point in time. It's nothing personal, this is in the interest of safety. Since we are talking about safety, another important skill to have as an aircraft mechanic is the willingness to ask for help. Whether you are a new or seasoned mechanic, never be afraid to ask for help. There is nothing wrong with admitting you are unfamiliar with a task, in fact it is your duty to tell management that you are indeed unfamiliar. This way they can set you up with another mechanic who has done the task and teach you, along with reading the acceptable maintenance manuals, how to perform the task properly. Another skill that they don't teach in A&P school is listening. If the pilot has a gripe about the aircraft, make sure you fully understand the problem before proceeding. Ask him/her questions if you can, and most importantly, listen to what they are telling you. Troubleshooting an aircraft can be frustrating, so make sure you have all the information that is available.
So you do not have to be a master at each and every facet of aircraft maintenance. There are areas in which most people naturally excel at and therefore gravitate towards those areas. As long as you have a genuine interest in aviation, and you are safety oriented, being an aircraft mechanic should be no problem. Most everything else can be taught or learned from experience over time. Those that are not interested in aviation and are only looking to make a big pay check, should seek other employment. That is not to say you cannot make a decent living working on aircraft because Mechanic Bracknell trust me, you can. This industry can be challenging to break into without any experience. Many mechanics struggle for the first few years until they get established. This can be a very rewarding career with lots of room for opportunity but that does not come overnight. Being an aircraft mechanic takes a life long dedication to safety and the willingness to learn new things through out your career.