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The field of aviation mechanics is changing. There are trends occurring now and on the horizon that promise to transform the way maintenance work is carried out in Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in the United States and around the world.
Most of these trends are technical and will affect every area of aviation—from the biggest airlines to the smallest private airline operators employing a Director of Maintenance and perhaps a crew to maintain their plane or fleet of planes.
The demand for aviation mechanics now and in the coming years is trending up for both those already in the field as well as those who plan to attend a technical skilled trades school to pursue a career within the field.
Trend #1: Growth in the Aviation Mechanic Sector
The civil aviation industry, which encompasses both private and commercial aviation, is expected to increase its spending on aviation maintenance. This trend is due to the increase in commercial passenger flying and the increase in private aviation.
The growth in demand for aviation mechanics is currently driven by the fact that these airplanes, whether commercial jumbo jets flying transatlantic or sea planes making short flights among the Caribbean islands, are large assets. For this reason, they require both regular and emergency maintenance to keep them in the air and their owners turning a profit.
Trend #2: Prescriptive Maintenance
With the ability to answer questions in a “what if” kind of scenario, prescriptive maintenance is predicted to revolutionize the MRO. This type of aviation maintenance will be carried out by analytics software and is expected to be available by the year 2020.
Trend #3: Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems
This monitoring system is a powerful data processing system that will make maintenance processes \”smarter\” and more reliable. This technology is affordable and convenient for all aircraft and airline operators to have on hand for use by their maintenance mechanics.
Trend #4: Paperless MRO
To improve productivity, more and more MROs are expected to become paperless. Everything will be done via software, enabling the sharing of information in a quick and secure environment.
Trend #5: Increased Collaboration
Analysts predict that more collaboration will take place between MROs to improve service as well as increase efficiency. When purchasing parts, for example, a hold up on a part can cause unnecessary downtime for an airline and extreme inconvenience for the private aviator.
Trend #6: Lack of MROs in Asia-Pacific Region
One area of the world that is booming in both private and commercial aviation is China. Rather than endure the city’s traffic, for example, some people in Shanghai prefer to travel by private helicopter. This rapid growth, however, is predicted to be hindered by the lack of MROs in the country and nearby regions. The reason for this is the lack of skilled aviation mechanics and the difficulty of recruiting foreigners who possess the right aviation license, the right experience, and who are willing to overlook the pollution in China and Hong Kong.
Trend #7: Why the Shortage of Aviation Mechanics?
In the United States, baby boomers are partly responsible for the shortage of aviation mechanics. A large percentage of baby boomer aviation mechanics are expected to retire around 2027, leaving a gap for new talent. Now is the time for young talent to step up and attend a career college that includes an aviation mechanic program. When they do, it will be in a new aviation age replete with technology that is revolutionizing the industry.
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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