U'S' Marine Airplane Mechanic

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U.S. Marine Airplane Mechanic
By Luke Allen
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Job Description
The aircraft maintenance field includes direct
support of the total airframes and power plant
packages, repairs and inspections of aircraft and
weapons systems. Also preflight and service
aircraft and there systems.
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Training and Schooling
Marines start off by going to school for several
months. Then they move to on the job training.
They start of with simple maintenance, and then
progress through specific harder skills. After
completion of formal training, Marines are
qualified to maintain airframes and aircraft
component.
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Working Conditions
Mechanics may work in indoor areas like hangars
and repair shops, or outdoors. Frequently,
repairs must be made quickly in order to maintain
flight schedules. Under these conditions,
mechanics must work as fast as possible without
sacrificing the safety of the aircraft or its
passengers.Aircraft mechanics occasionally lift
heavy items and work in awkward positions that
require kneeling or squatting. Additionally, they
must often work on platforms, ladders, and
scaffolds. Noise from aircraft and ground
equipment is common concern for mechanics
wherever they work. The average work week for
aircraft mechanics is 8 hours per day for 5 days.
This 40 hour work week may also include overtime
especially when operational commitments must be
met or backlog reduced.
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Outlook
Most job openings for aircraft mechanics through
the year 2008 will stem from replacement needs.
Aircraft mechanics have a comparatively strong
attachment to the occupation, reflecting their
significant investment in training and a love for
aviation.
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Pay/Salary
Average hourly earnings of aircraft mechanics in
1999 were about 19.90. The hourly pay for a
mechanic varies according to geographic region
and employer. Listed below are average hourly
rates for different types of employers.
Corporate Air Transpiration 24.35 Major
Airline 23.35 Regional Airline 16.70 Ma
nufacturers 18.80 Government 18.15
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Employment (According to 1998)

• Aircraft mechanics and technicians accounted for
  about 133,000 jobs.
• Airlines, airports, and airfields accounted for
  about 65 of the jobs.
• 12 worked for federal government.
• 14 worked for aircraft manufactures.

-The Armed Forces employ civilian mechanics at
military installations.
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Unions
Almost one-half of all aircraft mechanics,
including those employed by some major airlines,
are covered by union agreements.