Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanicsTo keep aircraft in peak operating condition, aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and service technicians perform scheduled maintenance, make repairs, and complete inspections required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Many aircraft mechanics, also called airframe, powerplant, and avionics aviation maintenance technicians, specialize in preventive maintenance. They inspect engines, landing gear, instruments, pressurized sections, accessories—brakes, valves, pumps, and air-conditioning systems, for example—and other parts of the aircraft, and do the necessary maintenance and replacement of parts. Inspections take place following a schedule based on the number of hours the aircraft has flown, calendar days since the last inspection, cycles of operation, or a combination of these factors. Large, sophisticated planes are equipped with aircraft monitoring systems, consisting of electronic boxes and consoles that monitor the aircraft�s basic operations and provide valuable diagnostic information to the mechanic. To examine an engine, aircraft mechanics work through specially designed openings while standing on ladders or scaffolds, or use hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from the craft. After taking an engine apart, mechanics use precision instruments to measure parts for wear and use x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment to check for invisible cracks. Worn or defective parts are repaired or replaced. Mechanics may also repair sheet metal or composite surfaces, measure the tension of control cables, and check for corrosion, distortion, and cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail. After completing all repairs, they must test the equipment to ensure that it works properly. Mechanics specializing in repairwork rely on the pilot�s description of a problem to find and fix faulty equipment. For example, during a preflight check, a pilot may discover that the aircraft�s fuel gauge does not work. To solve the problem, mechanics may troubleshoot the electrical system, using electrical test equipment to make sure that no wires are broken or shorted out, and replace any defective electrical or electronic components. Mechanics work as fast as safety permits so that the aircraft can be put back into service quickly. Some mechanics work on one or many different types of aircraft, such as jets, propeller-driven airplanes, and helicopters. Others specialize in one section of a particular type of aircraft, such as the engine, hydraulics, or electrical system. Powerplant mechanics are authorized to work on engines and do limited work on propellers. Airframe mechanics are authorized to work on any part of the aircraft except the instruments, powerplants, and propellers. Combination airframe-and-powerplant mechanics—called A & P mechanics—work on all parts of the plane, except instruments. The majority of mechanics working on civilian aircraft today are A & P mechanics. In small, independent repair shops, mechanics usually inspect and repair many different types of aircraft. Avionics systems are now an integral part of aircraft design and have vastly increased aircraft capability. Avionics technicians repair and maintain components used for aircraft navigation and radio communications, weather radar systems, and other instruments and computers that control flight, engine, and other primary functions. These duties may require additional licenses, such as a radiotelephone license issued by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Because of technological advances, an increasing amount of time is spent repairing electronic systems, such as computerized controls. Technicians also may be required to analyze and develop solutions to complex electronic problems. Related news articles Flight engineer's first mission in B-24 was on D-Day - 16 Oct 2006 St. Augustine Record (subscription),He first trained as an aircraft mechanic on B-17s at Amarillo, Texas, before going to the Lockheed factory school at Burbank, Calif., to learn the latest ... Cancun recovers after hurricane - 16 Oct 2006 Newsday,It is so weird when you are used to seeing something and then it completely changes," said Johnson, a 50-year-old aircraft mechanic from Chicago. ... Retired mechanic keeps Sedalia flying - Oct 5, 2006 Kansas City Star,He began working there full time in December after retiring as an aircraft mechanic at the Max B. Swisher Airport in Warrensburg. ... Calls for new rules on flying - Oct 13, 2006 York Dispatch,He worked for several years as an aircraft mechanic. Stanger had known Lidle, who lived in Southern California in the offseason, for about a year. ... 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FVTC student of the week: Aaron Michael Rohan - Oct 9, 2006 Appleton Post Crescent,I am familiar with FVTC, I got my GED from FVTC in 2003. What type of job do you expect to find after graduation? An aircraft mechanic position. Getting their hands dirty - Oct 8, 2006 PensacolaNewsJournal.com,But until Sunday, she had never changed an automobile tire. "I have been an (aircraft) mechanic for 10 years," Moreira said. "But ... Where Do We Get Them? - Oct 3, 2006 Ground Support Magazine,...wire too. And the mechanic fixing the loading bridge probably got a lot less training than the aircraft mechanic did. Actually my ... Californian killed with Lidle had been flying since teen years - Oct 12, 2006 Press-Enterprise (subscription),...the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. He worked for several years as an aircraft mechanic at Howard Aviation. Stanger had known Lidle, who ... 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