Introduction
No reference to aviation would be complete without mentioning the dedicated men and women who maintain the nation’s fleet of general, commercial, and military aircraft. These individuals are licensed by the FAA and adhere to the strictest of guidelines and Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR's) to keep aircraft flying in an airworthy manner.
The pioneers of flight, the Wright Brothers, were accompanied by Charles Edward Taylor, who is often referred to as the first aircraft mechanic. He is the person who is attributed as creating the first aircraft engine.
The Canadian equivalent of an AMT is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Licensing
Most people who choose to become an Aircraft Maintenance Technician, (or formally called an A&P Mechanic) attend an FAA certified school under Part 147 of the FAR’s. These regulations specify each class and topic the AMT must become proficient in, out how many hours each class must contain.
It usually takes 16 months to two years to complete a formal academic AMT program.
Most schools teach the aspiring AMT’s all systems of the aircraft, such as:
- Airframe sheet metal structures
- Composite structures
- Deicing systems
- Dope-and-fabric
- Electrical systems
- Flight controls
- Hydraulics
- Ignition systems
- Landing gear
- Reciprocating Engines
- Turbine engines
- Welding
After an AMT student completes the required academic and hands-on course work, he is then required by the FAA to pass a written General test, an Airframe written test, and a Powerplant written in order to then go on to the next phase of testing.
After all written tests are satisfactorily completed the candidate is now able to take an Oral & Practical exam given by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) test to achieve the coveted A&P license from the FAA. This license is the AMT’s “ticket” to work on aircraft systems legally.
Inspection Authorization
Some AMTs, after several years of working in their field, choose to become certified IA’s, (or Inspection Authorizers.) This designation carries much responsibility in the aviation maintenance field. These individuals are allowed to conduct Annual Inspections on aircraft, and sign-off on their airworthiness.
