The Importance of Communication Skills for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians

Are you interested in becoming an aircraft maintenance technician? Do you have the skills to properly communicate with colleagues? If you need to work on your communications skills, then attending an aircraft maintenance technician at a trade school may be the right ticket for you. Learn to be a better communicator and become highly sought-after in the process.

Airlines must work diligently to ensure that their aircraft are maintained properly so that they can operate smoothly for the hundreds of passengers that fly each day. To make sure this happens, airlines hire skilled aircraft maintenance technicians who are in charge of maintaining aircraft, performing routine maintenance, and fixing any defective parts that may be found throughout the inspection process. As the number of planes in the sky grows, so does the demand for great aircraft maintenance technicians. Although this is a hands-on job, it also requires a great deal of communication. Without proper communication, teams of aircraft maintenance technicians can quickly fall into a state of disorder. So, what are the characteristics of a good communicator and how can a student properly develop these skills to become an effective aircraft maintenance technician?

Practice the Skills Necessary to be a Good Communicator

An aircraft maintenance technician is seen as a hands-on worker who takes pride in their ability to fix anything. It is also worth noting that the best aircraft maintenance technician is also one that is able to exhibit good communication skills. To ensure students are on their way to becoming great aircraft maintenance technicians, they should always practice good communication skills in all aspects of life. This includes but is not limited to, listening first and speaking second, learning to recognize social queues, and understanding the importance of asking questions.

Utilize Active Listening Whenever Possible

Active listening is the practice of not only listening to a coworker, but also showing that you are taking in the information in a meaningful way. One of the best ways to be an active listener is to paraphrase what has just been heard into similar phrasing to ensure that it has been fully understood. Additionally, asking questions for verification is also a vital communication skill. By seeking additional detail, the person giving information can confirm that the listener cares about the conversation enough to ask for more information. Finally, to be a good active listener, an aircraft maintenance technician can use nonverbal cues such as direct eye contact and nodding to show affirmation.

Understand That Written and Verbal Communication are Equally Important

Each day, an aircraft maintenance technician will communicate in a variety of ways. The two most common ways to convey a message are through oral and written communication. Some may be better at oral communication, and show need for improvement in their written communication or vice versa. It is important to realize that both of these communication skills must be conquered in order to become a master aircraft maintenance technician. If an aircraft maintenance technician needs to leave a note for another technician, either in a notebook or through an email, it is important to be able to communicate that message properly. Similarly, it is equally important to convey a clear message when speaking face-to-face.

Use Proper Communication to be a Great Leader and a Great Team Member

Being an aircraft maintenance technician means being a part of a team. No one aircraft maintenance technician can conduct all of the maintenance needed for an aircraft on their own in a timely manner. So, it is imperative that aircraft maintenance technicians work together. Part of being a great team member is being a great communicator. Those seen as good team players are those who speak clearly and concisely, and are rarely misunderstood. Similarly, great team leaders are also skilled communicators. Managers who are not able to properly communicate will soon find their team in disarray. By working on communication skills, leadership skills are also being developed.

Attend a Trade School to Master Various Forms of Communication

For recent high school graduates or those looking for additional job training, attending a trade school is an extremely valuable choice. Trade schools allow you to focus on a specific area of study and not waste time on courses that may not be applicable to the desired job that the degree is centered around. In a program designed for an aircraft maintenance technician, developing proper communication skills will be a major aspect of the hands-on training.

Final Thoughts

The aviation industry continues to grow year after year. With this growth comes a higher demand for skilled and qualified aircraft maintenance technicians. By attending a trade school that puts a focus on proper communication skills, students can finish the program ready to make an immediate impact in the workforce.

Ready to learn more about becoming an aviation mechanic? The Aviation Maintenance programs from MIAT College of Technology provide the hands-on training, practical experience and industry support it takes to pursue a rewarding technical career.

To learn more about the Aviation Maintenance programs and to explore if MIAT is right for you, fill out the form on this page. Contact us if you are interested in becoming an aviation maintenance technician today.

MIAT College of Technology is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

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