Aircraft maintenance engineer
Check aeroplanes and helicopters in between flights to make sure they'll fly safely.
Also known as: aircraft technician, aircraft maintenance mechanic
About the job
What it's like
Aircraft maintenance engineers or mechanics check the systems on aeroplanes and helicopters in between flights to ensure the aircraft is safe to fly. To work in aircraft maintenance, you'll need specific qualifications and certification.
Just as pilots are trained and then licensed to fly, aircraft maintenance engineers are trained and licensed to maintain the aircraft to industry standard.
There are two types of maintenance:
line duties such as pre-flight checks, refuelling and minor avionics, electrical and mechanical tasks
base maintenance in an aircraft hangar, when you’d do more stringent checks, fault diagnosis and repairs
If you work in mechanics, you’d service the fuselage, engines, landing gear and airframe systems including any electrics associated with those systems.
If you focus on avionics, you’d check the electrical and electronic systems used for navigation, communications and flight control.
You'd need to check the parts and systems, find any faults and decide if they can be fixed. You’d then organise or carry out the repairs.
It’s a responsible job; you’d need to check the aircraft carefully and be meticulous with your repairs.
You could work on commercial or private aircraft or work on military aircraft for the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy or the Army.
Hours
Your hours might include weekends and may include work at night time, so rotating shift patterns tend to be the norm.
Environment
Your tasks would be both indoors and outdoors. This could depend on the area of maintenance (base or line) that you are employed in and the nature of the task. These may be carried out within a maintenance hangar or on an airport ramp.
Travel
Engineers and mechanics often have to work abroad to support airline operations at overseas airports. You may be asked to support in an aircraft on the ground (AOG) situation, when an aircraft is stranded due to technical problems. If you work for the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy or the Army you could be posted abroad.
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Engineering and manufacturing
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- aircraft maintenance
- civil aviation
- corrective maintenance
- disassembler
- delegated authority
- aviation
- engineering management
- airworthiness
- equipment maintenance
- housekeeping
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- researching
- observation
- problem solving
- working with technology
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Design and Manufacture
Design and Technology
Engineering Science
Maths (Mathematics)
Physics
Practical Craft Skills
Skills for Work: Automotive Skills
Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering
Skills for Work: Practical Experiences: Construction and Engineering
Applications of Mathematics
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You could complete an aircraft maintenance apprenticeship leading to a relevant qualification, such as the Scottish Vocational Qualification in Aeronautical Engineering (SVQ Level 3).
Entry for this varies from employer to employer. Most look for a minimum of four to five subjects at SCQF Level 4-5. To undertake an apprenticeship you'll normally have to complete aptitude tests.
Or you can apply after undertaking a full-time course such as a National Certificate or National Qualification (SCQF Level 6), or with a relevant Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF Level 8) or a degree (SCQF Level 9/10) in areas such as:
Aircraft Engineering
Aero-Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering technologies
Maintenance Engineering technologies
Engineering
You may be able to move into this role if you're already qualified and working in other engineering fields.
Or you can train for this role within the RAF (see RAF Profiles).
Entry is very competitive so many employers will look for National 5 (SCQF Level 5) and Higher (SCQF Level 6) qualifications or above.
You can enter Aircraft Engineering Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF Level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a degree (SCQF Level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers at B or above or a relevant HNC/HND.
Qualifications that show understanding and experience of the industry, such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCQF Level 4).
To become a fully qualified aircraft maintenance engineer you must acquire an EASA-approved ‘Part 66’ maintenance licence. In the UK this is awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
You may have to pass a medical.
Certain colour-vision requirements may apply.
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