Are you interested in airplanes and wonder what it would be like to service them? Aircraft maintenance is important, especially because you know that keeping passengers safe during flight is a critical responsibility. You can learn to keep passengers safe through aircraft maintenance training. So, what is aircraft maintenance training and what exactly does an aviation maintenance technician do?
What Does an Aviation Maintenance Technician Do?
Aircraft maintenance technicians perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft, including airplanes, helicopters, and light aircraft. They also perform the following duties on a day-to-day basis:
- Diagnose aircraft mechanical and electrical components.
- Maintain aircraft components, including wings, brakes, hydraulics and electrical systems.
- Identify and replace malfunctioning parts.
- Monitor aircraft parts and components for defects.
- Test aircraft parts with non-destructive testing procedures and diagnostic equipment.
- Inspect aircraft maintenance work to ensure it meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) performance standards.
What is Aircraft Maintenance Training?
Aircraft maintenance training offers the knowledge and skills needed to inspect, maintain and repair aircraft. Training is essential to ensure the aircraft operates safely. Training covers aviation regulations, safety procedures, aircraft systems and maintenance practices. Classroom theory is supplemented by hands-on training to maintain and repair real aircraft.
What are Some of the Classes That are Part of the Aircraft Maintenance Training?
The aircraft maintenance training includes classes in both airframe and powerplant sections. These classes include:
Airframe Classes
Sheetmetal and Welding – Learn about sheetmetal fabrication and welding to construct the aircraft. Both aircraft sheetmetal and welding are critical components of aircraft manufacturing and maintenance.
Assembly and Rigging, Airframe Fire Protection – In an assembly class learn how to fit, rivet, bolt and weld aircraft components. In a rigging class learn how to adjust and align the control surfaces of an aircraft. During these classes, you also learn about airframe fire protection and the measures put into place to prevent, detect and extinguish aircraft fires.
Fuel Systems – Learn how the engine stores, transfers and delivers fuel to the fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, filters and valves.
Cabin Atmosphere, Oxygen Systems, Ice and Rain – The cabin must be pressurized during flight and have oxygen for passengers to breathe in high altitude. During this class, learn about proper cabin atmosphere and oxygen systems, as well as how ice and rain can affect an aircraft.
Airplane Electrical – This course focuses on how the electricity within an airplane is distributed to the many parts, instruments and components to achieve flight.
Aircraft Instruments and Advanced Troubleshooting – Learn how information the aircraft instruments offer the pilot also helps aircraft maintenance technicians properly troubleshoot their accuracy and keep passengers safe.
Navigation and Communication – It is important for the pilot to know where the aircraft is headed and how it is operating while flying to that destination. This involves both navigation and communication among pilots, aircraft maintenance and air traffic control.
Hydraulics and Pneumatics – Learn aircraft maintenance on fluid power systems that help transmit power and control the aircraft. Hydraulics and pneumatics help generate, control and transmit power.
Landing Gear Systems – Learn how to maintain and repair vital landing gear systems that help aircraft take off and land safely.
Powerplant Classes
Reciprocating Engine Operations, Induction and Exhaust, Fuel Metering System, Engine Instruments, Inspection and Overhaul – This set of classes focuses on the reciprocating engine. Instructors teach how the aircraft takes in air and expulses exhaust gases. Included are the function of fuel metering systems that ensure the proper amount of fuel is delivered to the engine, as well as the function of engine instruments that monitor the reciprocating engine performance. Also covered are the processes of inspecting and overhauling the reciprocating engine to prevent critical issues and ensure the safety of the aircraft.
Propellers – Learn how the rotating blades are responsible for generating the thrust to propel the aircraft forward by converting the power generated by the engine into rotational motion.
Powerplant Lubrication Systems – Proper maintenance of any aircraft ensures the powerplant section of the aircraft is properly lubricated, offering smooth operation of the engine. This course covers how the moving parts are lubricated to reduce friction and wear, and prevent damage to the engine components.
Turbine Engine Troubleshooting, Design, Operations, Accessories, Instruments, Maintenance and Overhaul – This set of classes focuses on turbine engines and a technician’s role in maintaining and repairing them. Maintenance and overhaul skills are essential to ensure a reliable aircraft turbine engine. Learn how to troubleshoot engine problems and resolve those problems. This requires knowledge of engine systems, instrumentation and diagnostic tools. Since turbine engines operate under high temperature and pressure, it is important to know how the engine is designed to withstand the altitude, temperature and humidity while in flight. The accessories and instruments are necessary components of aircraft turbine engines.
Upon completion of this FAA-certificated program, graduates can apply and test for the Airframe and Powerplant FAA certification.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what aircraft maintenance training is, it is time to learn more about MIAT College of Technology. MIAT has built an excellent reputation gained during more than 50 years in operation and strong relationships with employers. As an MIAT student, you will get relevant, up-to-date skills needed by different industries.
Want to Learn More?
At MIAT, our Aviation Maintenance Technology program focuses on teaching students the advanced precision skills necessary to prepare to become a technician. With the strong foundations we provide, our graduates are prepared to pursue exciting careers.1
To learn more about our 24-month Aviation Maintenance Technology AAS degree program offered at our MIAT Canton, Michigan, campus and to explore if MIAT is right for you, fill out the form on this page. Contact us today if you’re interested in training to become an aviation maintenance technician.
1MIAT is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.miat.edu/disclosures.