Aircraft

Maintenance
build I repair I maintain
Train and maintain
Aircraft engineers maintain, inspect and service aircraft to achieve
internationally-approved licences and sustain aviation’s high safety
standards all over the globe. Specialising in either mechanics
or avionics, you could join a unique club of qualified aircraft
engineers who work for airlines, maintenance, repair and overhaul
(MRO) divisions of aerospace manufacturers or specialist aircraft
maintenance companies. The General Aviation (GA) community, which
spans a huge range of activities from Flying Clubs to business jets
below 5700Kg, also requires qualified engineers. With the majority of
currently qualified maintenance engineers due to retire over the next
ten years, there are likely to be plenty of employment opportunities in
the future.
Getting there
Traditionally, the entry route to aircraft maintenance is via an
apprenticeship in industry, with companies sponsoring the
preparation for qualifications such as NVQ/HNC and the EASA-
approved licences (see last page).
Many companies are investing heavily in training opportunities,
offering several types of entry routes: the Apprenticeship route for
school leavers; ‘Higher’ apprenticeships for those leaving further
education and graduate routes for engineering graduates hoping to
enter the field. In addition, some companies have training schemes
for people from other professions, who may have never considered
aircraft maintenance as a career.
Nevertheless, many airlines have slimmed down their aircraft
maintenance divisions, transferring their engineering to work to other
airlines or specialist maintenance companies, resulting in an overall
decrease in apprenticeship opportunities. However, there are now an
increasing number university courses offering an alternative route
while further education (FE) colleges also have training courses, often
incorporating work experience opportunities.
The RAF also offers engineering training and roles working on
state-of-the-art technology. School leavers can enter as Mechanical
specialists in the General Technician trade who work on everything
from heavy plant machinery to hydraulic lifts for aircraft. The RAF’s
technician training earns you a National Engineering Certificate at
Level 3 and an Advanced Apprenticeship, including an NVQ Level 3.
Qualifications required are three GCSEs/SCEs at Grade C/3 minimum
or equivalent in English language, maths and an approved science/
technology-based subject. (Joining age: 16-29.)
Graduates can apply for the RAF’s Engineer Officer route for which
other professional qualifications are also considered (GCSE English
grade C/3 minimum also required).
Case study
Mark Staines
21, Airframe Fitter, Marshall Aerospace
“I really enjoy my work due to the variety involved, from carrying out
TAXI ON
repairs to testing engines, it’s definitely not routine!” – Mark Staines
Mark Staines works for Marshall Aerospace, a large UK company
AILERON
based in Cambridge specialising in aircraft design, manufacture,
maintenance, conversion, modification and logistic support. Mark’s
career in aircraft engineering began when he was at school and did
a careers profiling exercise, with aircraft engineering coming out as
one of the recommended choices in relation to his skills and interests.
Mark says, “My school did encourage me to go to university but I knew
I wanted to be more hands-on.” So he opted to do a BTEC Aircraft
Engineering at college and then joined an apprenticeship scheme
with a company based at Stansted Airport, which included day-release
college study and preparation for the licensed engineering modules.
Unfortunately, he was made redundant from that scheme, but
then successfully applied to the Marshall Aerospace apprenticeship
programme. This also included college study leading to a City and
Guilds Aircraft Engineering certificate as well as on-the-job training
which led to a National Vocational Qualfication Level 3. Marshall
RUD
Aerospace is renowned for its excellent standard of training which
incorporates college study, on-the-job training and courses at their
own Training Centre.
Now Mark works on the C-130 Hercules aircraft and says, “Every day
is different, it’s definitely not an office job and it is physical: you have
to be ready to climb right into the aircraft!” Mark is now keen to take
FUEL X FEED
the next step in the Marshall Aerospace career pathway by becoming a
Supervisor, this will entail looking after a team of people, carrying out
inspections and signing off work. With the company there is already
a specific programme of training to help Mark progress in his career.
In addition, Mark is also completing his Part-66 licensed engineering
qualification and is receiving additional support from his company to
pay for the examination fees.
“I would really recommend this work to any young person who likes
engineering and wants a hands-on role,” says Mark. “Although it’s not
always easy to find an apprenticeship, lots of apprentices here have
HDG
come down from places like Manchester to join the programme. They
know it is highly regarded in the industry and an excellent place to
develop a worthwhile and really interesting career.”
EASA Aircraft Maintenance Licensing
EASA is the European Aviation Safety Agency. In the UK, licences are awarded by
the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) which also approves training organisations.
The Part-66 Licence System
‘Part-66’ is the common European legal framework for certifying licensed aircraft
engineers in EASA member states, like the UK. There are three categories.
• Category A – Permits the holder to provide limited certification of inspection
and maintenance tasks or detect simple rectification.
• Category B – Provides the standard licence for practitioners, divided into B1
(mechanics - engines, airframes etc.) and B2 (avionics - instrumentation, electrical/
electronic equipment) subcategories. Holders may provide Certificate of Release
of Service of aircraft following maintenance and repair tasks. Category B licences
require more in-depth aircraft maintenance knowledge than category A.
• Category C – Permits the holder to issue certificates of release to service following
base maintenance on aircraft (when the aircraft is stripped down for complete
service and overhaul). The work will be carried out by B1 or B2 licensed engineers
therefore often a C licence applicant usually already holds a B1 or B2 licence.
All licences are dependent on the completion of appropriate qualifications and
obtaining relevant practical experience. Completion of a special Part-147 course
allows holders to apply for a Part-66 licence with less practical experience. Aircraft
Type rating qualifications are also required.
Applicants may study for basic licence examinations before they have acquired all
the practical experience required as examination passes are valid for up to five years.

Find out more

EASA www.easa.eu.int/home
CAA www.caa.co.uk
Flybe www.flybe.com
Marshall Aerospace
www.marshallaerospace.com
Monarch Aircraft Engineering
www.flymonarch.com
RAF www.raf.mod.uk/careers
Kingston University www.kingston.ac.uk
University of Glamorgan
www.glamorgan.ac.uk
Air Skill COVE www.skillair.com
Apprenticeships - EEF
(Engineering Employers Federation)
www.apprentices.co.uk
Association of Licensed Aircraft Engineers
www.alae.org

We can help
The Royal Aeronautical Society Careers Centre can provide information on
UK aircraft maintenance providers, course listings making job applications, and more!
www.aerosociety.com/careers Produced in partnership with the SBAC
careers@aerosociety.com www.sbac.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 7670 4300 2008