Having the right skills is important for any job and it is especially true for Aviation Maintenance. It is one of the most sought-after fields and has been booming steadily. It is one of the most popular aviation jobs which is lucrative as well as promising in terms of career prospects, especially for individuals with an interest in technology and mechanics. If you are planning to have a career in aviation maintenance, then there are certain skills you must have and should nurture to have a successful career in the field.
As the name of the profession suggests, the nature of the job is highly technical so, technical skills are a pre-requisite. However, these are not all the skills you need. To have a career in aviation maintenance, you must also possess some non-technical skills that are crucial to the job. Check the list of non-technical skills required for a career in aviation maintenance below.
Observational Skills
Aviation Maintenance may seem like a straightforward task where you are required to follow some protocols and ensure they are properly implemented, however, it is much more than that and observation skills play a major role in it. Aviation maintenance technicians need to be observant so they can detect even the slightest hint of problems in the aircraft, be it a different engine sound or a screw that seems slightly skewed, a technician must be able to observe these little but significant things to do their job properly.
Dexterity
Aviation maintenance is a largely physical job which requires you to use your hands a lot. A lot of time you will be working with tools you will have to handle with your bare hands. You will also have to hold and handle heavy aircraft parts and assemble them properly. These tools are not only expensive but also invaluable in their function. They have to be fitted properly because even an inch of digression can be dangerous. Hence, good hand-eye coordination and the ability to control your hand movements are pertinent to your performance and safety in aviation maintenance.
Attention to Detail
In an aircraft, every part has its own designated place. They can only be put in certain places at certain angles with no chance of misplacement. One misstep can have huge consequences in aviation maintenance and can cause large-scale damage. Hence, it is important to be attentive towards what you are doing as well as what others around you are doing to avoid any type of mistake that arises from the lack of attention.
Strength and Agility
You will have to work with a lot of tools and aircraft parts, and some of them will be very heavy. These parts have to be handled with great care because they are sometimes irreplaceable and dropping them can incur huge costs. So, you must have the strength to hold and handle these tools. However, strength alone cannot help you, you must also be agile and quick on your step. Working on an aircraft will require you to have a good balance so you do not end up falling and hurting yourself. You need to be strong and agile to ensure you are able to work and take care of yourself properly.
Communication Skills
This is the most important skill an aviation maintenance technician must have. Aviation maintenance is mostly teamwork and having good communication is necessary for the smooth running of various operations. It is very important to maintain clear communication while working. You should have the ability to clearly communicate instructions as well as listen to them. Also, apart from spoken communication skills. written communication skills are pertinent to aviation maintenance. Technicians will often have to write and submit reports on the status of the aircraft and the work done on them. These reports must be concise and clear for effective communication.
