Mechanical technicians – carry out the construction, servicing and overhaul of an aircraft's structural, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems including airframes, wings, engines, landing gear and environmental controls.

Avionics technicians – deal with the installation and testing of electrical and electronic control technologies used for navigation, communications and flight control systems.

Technicians work with a range of engineers, craftspeople and other licenced engineering technicians. Depending on the role, technicians may be involved in:

Design - using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software to draw up blueprints for new prototypes, or to investigate potential performance enhancements using design modifications.

Research and development – investigating and testing possible solutions to engineering problems caused by a range of factors such as weight, altitude, temperature and engine performance.

Building and testing prototypes - using computer and physical models to predict and refine the performance of aircraft systems.

Repair and maintenance – carrying out routine servicing and repair of aircraft. Line maintenance or aircraft turnaround is done between flights, dealing with pre-flight checks, refuelling and minor tasks. Base maintenance is carried out in the hangar and involves more stringent checks, fault diagnosis and repair. Work is certified as complete by a licenced technician or engineer (see Training section).

Hours and Environment

Skills and Interests

To be an aerospace technician, you should:

• have an interest in aircraft and flight technology
• have good practical skills
• have an aptitude for maths, science and IT
• have good communication skills
• be aware of health and safety issues
• understand engineering drawings and principles
• be able to work methodically and precisely
• be able to manage a varied workload in an efficient manner
• have good analytical skills
• work well as part of a team
• have initiative and be able to take responsibility.

You will need skills in CAD / CAM software packages for some roles.

Entry

If you are aged under 24, you may be able to gain an apprentice technician position with an airline operator, airline manufacturer or service engineering company.

You will need four or five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including maths, English and a science subject. Some employers may require one or two A levels/highers in maths and science or equivalent qualifications. Alternative qualifications open to all ages include:

•  Edexcel (BTEC) National Certificate or Diploma in Aerospace Engineering (Mechanical or Avionics)
• City & Guilds Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering at levels 2 and 3.

Broader engineering courses, such as engineering and production engineering, which cover areas such CNC machining, CAD work and electronics, can be a useful way to acquire some of the skills needed in the industry.

Other engineering technician roles, such as electrical, electronic or mechanical can also be used as entry into the job or used to go on to higher level study (see Training section). For details of related roles see the profiles for Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Technician found in the Manufacturing and Engineering family.

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) has details about careers, courses and entry routes into this industry together with links to major national and international aerospace companies and suppliers. See RAeS website in Further Information.

As well as checking industry websites and journals for vacancies, attending trade fairs and exhibitions is a useful way of networking and speaking to companies face to face. Involvement in flying and gliding clubs is another way to make useful contacts.

For information about engineering as a career, see SEMTA and Women into Science and Engineering websites in Further Information. In addition, the Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) has careers information and a course database for local colleges.

Training

• Aircraft Engineering Maintenance levels 2 and 3
• Aeronautical Engineering levels 2 and 3
• Performing Engineering / Manufacturing Operations levels 1 and 2.

You may be able to enter through an apprenticeship scheme. Funding for apprenticeships may be available to people in certain priority groups. To find out more, visit  www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland.

Opportunities

• the south-west
• the south-east
• eastern England.

• research and development (especially in aerodynamics, wing engine and rotor design, and fuel and environmental efficiency)
• military electronics
• computer modelling and simulation
• composite materials
• space-based telecommunications and navigation systems.
• expansion of companies into fields which benefit from aerospace technology, such as automotive and electronics industries.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Trainees earn between £10,000 and £14,000 a year.
Technicians with experience and qualifications can earn between £20,000 and £25,000.
Senior technicians can earn up to £30,000 a year.

Bonuses and overtime payments may also be available.

Further information

RH6 0YR Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878 14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282 167 6th Floor
10 Maltravers Street
London
WC2R 3ER
Tel: 020 7557 6426 4 Hamilton Place
London
W1J 7BQ
Tel: 020 7670 4300