Aircraft maintenance or related trades - overview

What does an aircraft maintenance or related trade professional do?

A job in aircraft maintenance or related trades could see you making sure aeroplanes and helicopters are safe to fly. This could be by checking an aircraft before it’s scheduled to fly or being more thorough in an airline hangar. You need to be highly trained and licensed to be an aircraft engineer.

This career lets you flex your engineering skills and there’s a lot of responsibility attached. You must be meticulous to ensure aircraft are safe enough to carry passengers. The working environment could be indoors or outdoors, day or night and at the weekends and you may have opportunities to work abroad.

What will your days involve?

Daily tasks will vary but could involve:

• Examining drawings, specifications and manuals and deciding which methods and sequence of operations to use
• Fitting and assembling parts to make aircraft engines
• Replacing engine parts or installing and testing electrical components of an aircraft
• Maintaining, repairing and rebuilding aircraft structures and components
• Examining and inspecting airframes and other parts of an aircraft, such as hydraulic systems and landing gear
• Making comprehensive logs about the repairs and fittings you make

FAQs

How much can you earn as an aircraft maintenance or related tradesperson?

The average salary for an aircraft maintenance or related trades professional in the UK is £48,880. Graduates start at around £26,500.

Does an aircraft maintenance or related trade role involve travel in the UK or overseas?

You may have to travel to different sites, like airfields, to carry out maintenance on aircraft. Also, international travel may be necessary if you’re required to fly with the aircraft you’re working on.

Can you work from home as an aircraft maintenance or related trades professional?

There are not usually any work from home opportunities in these types of roles.