Demand Rises for Aircraft Maintenance

Demand for aircraft maintenance technicians is rising, and aviation industry companies are working to match capability with opportunity.

FREMONT, CA: The need for specialists to maintain aircraft is growing, and businesses in the aviation sector are seeking to match skill with opportunity. The most urgent issues revolve around finding, educating, keeping, and paying the technicians and mechanics who can make today's aviation dreams a reality. It needs several industry specialists to understand how the sector is handling recent data estimates, market studies, changes to education, and labour management. The industry has recently seen a spectacular increase in demand for engineers and technicians with specialised expertise in aircraft maintenance. The expansion of the general aviation industry over the previous 18 to 22 months was unprecedented.

Despite the historically low level of aircraft stocks, in-service maintenance is still necessary. An aircraft flying under Part 135 or with a certificate would typically make 2–3 flights per day. The current range is 8–10. Rotables are degrading more rapidly. Data collection is essential, but maintaining part availability in the interim is quite difficult. As the aviation business develops with the use of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft, autonomous flight, vertical take-off and landing, and other capabilities, professionals who are prepared to satisfy these needs are required.

The changes in the aircraft maintenance sector over the past few years have changed the nature of technicians' education and experience. Currently, employees must have the technological aptitudes that the sector is progressively demanding. Nowadays, diagnosing an aeroplane usually involves connecting it to a computer. Although conventional skills and foundations are still vital assets for aeroplane maintenance technicians, these professionals must also be digitally aware. Effective teamwork and strong communication skills are especially important for large-scale aviation repair projects.

The technological expertise of technicians is not a fad nor a niche. The distinction between mechanical and technological knowledge is still becoming hazier. There will be a rise in demand for computer and technology skills during the next five to ten years. All aircraft avionics suites are integrated into the flight deck to provide the real function of the aircraft. A&P technicians and avionics technicians were previously separated. These two categories of maintenance responsibilities complement one another because there is such an increase in the cross-over between these competencies.

The employment of avionics technicians is forecast to increase by 10 per cent, and that of aircraft mechanics and service technicians is expected to increase by 12 per cent, outpacing the employment of all other jobs in the U.S. by eight per cent. Despite impressive innovation and a promising future for aeroplane maintenance specialists, businesses are not hiring as quickly as they would like. Such a rapid increase shows that there are still skill gaps between employers' wants and employees' capabilities.