What Does an Aircraft Engineer Do?

An aircraft engineer, also known as an aircraft maintenance engineer, is in charge of ensuring that an aircraft is safe to fly. Every country has its own set of rules that an engineer must adhere to. Even so, the skills required of an aircraft engineer are largely unchanged.

A valid Certificate of Airworthiness is required for all large aircraft (homemade planes and ultralight planes are not subject to the same regulations). Aircraft must be maintained on a regular basis in accordance with manufacturer guidelines in order to pass inspection; this type of maintenance is performed an aircraft engineer. Furthermore, these engineers must address any issues raised a pilot or crew member. Local aviation authority personnel frequently conduct audits. An aircraft maintenance engineer is solely responsible for any errors discovered during these inspections or audits.

While education requirements vary country, most engineers are required to complete a recognized training program. This program typically lasts several months and includes all of the necessary training to become an aircraft engineer. In addition, requirements for on-the-job training must be met.

All aspects of local aviation regulations must be understood aircraft engineers. An aircraft engineer will receive a License Without Type Rating after completing all schooling and training (L.W.T.R). An engineer must complete additional training in order to obtain certified or “type” training. Airframe structures, electrical structures, radar systems, engine systems, propeller systems, and a variety of other licensing types are among the various licensing types. Some of these groups can be further subdivided to include extreme specializations.

An aircraft engineer may be able to advance to a more senior position on occasion. When an engineer has spent many years working in one field, he or she may be able to move on to other areas of expertise, such as quality assurance and maintenance planning. These engineers have a wide range of responsibilities; not only are they responsible for the safety of aircraft, but they are also responsible for any legal issues that may arise as a result of faulty aircraft. As a result, this is a high-stress job that necessitates extensive training.

At a college or university level, prospective engineers should study mathematics, science, and engineering. These professionals must be able to think quickly and analytically at all times, in addition to having the necessary skills. Because lengthy explanations are a large part of this job, an aircraft engineer should be able to communicate effectively with others.