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7315.1 – Aircraft mechanics
Aircraft mechanics maintain, repair, overhaul, modify and test aircraft structural, mechanical and hydraulic systems.
Profile
Example titles Help
- Aircraft gas turbine engine technician
- Aircraft hydraulics mechanic
- Aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) (except avionics)
- Aircraft mechanic
- Aircraft structural repair technician
- Aviation mechanical component shop technician
- Certified aircraft technician
Main characteristics Help
- General learning ability to understand the principles of aircraft construction and operation, and to apply the appropriate techniques for servicing, repairing and overhauling engines and accessories
- Spatial perception to visualize the arrangement and relationship of parts and assemblies when repairing and overhauling aircraft structural, mechanical and hydraulic systems
- Form perception to disassemble and inspect parts for wear, warping and other defects
- Manual dexterity to use hand and power tools to repair, replace and assemble parts, and to dismantle airframes, aircraft engines and other aircraft systems in order to repair, overhaul, clean and then reassemble them
- Objective interest in precision working to reassemble, adjust and test engine operations to conform with specifications
- Innovative interest in analyzing information to troubleshoot aircraft structural, mechanical and hydraulic systems to identify problems, and to adjust and repair systems according to specifications, technical drawings, manuals and established procedures
- Methodical interest in installing and modifying aircraft engines, mechanical, hydraulic, flight control, fuel and pneumatic systems; in performing and documenting routine maintenance; and in ordering and maintaining inventory of parts and supplies
Aptitudes Help
One of five levels assigned for each factor, with levels representing normal curve distribution of the labour force:
- G
- General learning ability
- V
- Verbal ability
- N
- Numerical ability
- S
- Spatial perception
- P
- Form perception
- Q
- Clerical perception
- K
- Motor co-ordination
- F
- Finger dexterity
- M
- Manual dexterity

- The highest 10% of the working population
- Upper third, exclusive of the highest 10%
- Middle third of the working population
- Lowest third, exclusive of the lowest 10%
- Lowest 10% of the working population
An individual's overall capacity to learn the skills needed to perform job duties is based on his or her specific aptitudes for acquiring information and transforming it into action.
General learning ability G-3
Ability to 'catch on' or understand instructions and underlying principles; to reason and make judgments.
Verbal ability V-4
Ability to understand the meaning of words and the ideas associated with them, and to use them effectively; to comprehend language, to understand relationships between words and to understand the meaning of whole sentences and paragraphs; to present information or ideas clearly.
Numerical ability N-3
Ability to carry out arithmetical processes quickly and accurately.
Spatial perception S-2
Ability to think visually about geometric forms and comprehend the two dimensional representation of three dimensional objects; to recognize the relationships resulting from the movement of objects in space. May be used in such tasks as blueprint reading and in solving geometry problems. Frequently described as the ability to 'visualize' objects of two or three dimensions.
Form perception P-2
Ability to perceive pertinent detail in objects and in pictorial and graphic material; to make visual comparisons and discriminations and to see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines.
Clerical perception Q-4
Ability to perceive pertinent detail in verbal or tabular material; to observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetical computation.
Motor co-ordination K-3
Ability to co-ordinate eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately when required to respond with precise movements.
Finger dexterity F-3
Ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly and/or accurately.
Manual dexterity M-2
Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully; to work with the hands in placing and turning motions.
Interests Help
Three of five descriptive factors, assigned in order of predominance and lower case rating indicating weaker representation:
- D
- Directive
- I
- Innovative
- M
- Methodical
- O
- Objective
- S
- Social
Objective O
Objective persons enjoy working with tools, equipment, instruments and machinery. They like to repair and/or fabricate things from various materials according to specifications and using established techniques. Objective persons are interested in finding out how things operate and how they are built.
Innovative I
Innovative persons like to explore things in depth and arrive at solutions to problems by experimenting. They are interested in initiating and creating different ways to solve questions and present information. They enjoy scientific subjects. Innovative persons prefer to be challenged with new and unexpected experiences. They adjust to change easily.
Methodical M
Methodical persons like to have clear rules and organized methods to guide their activities. They prefer working under the direction or supervision of others according to given instructions, or to be guided by established policies and procedures. Methodical persons like to work on one thing until it is completed. They enjoy following a set routine and prefer work that is free from the unexpected.
Data, people, and things Help
Data
- 0
- Synthesizing
- 1
- Co-ordinating
- 2
- Analyzing
- 3
- Compiling
- 4
- Computing
- 5
- Copying
- 6
- Comparing
- 7
- N/A
- 8
- Not Significant
People
- 0
- Mentoring
- 1
- Negotiating
- 2
- Instructing - Consulting
- 3
- Supervising
- 4
- Diverting
- 5
- Persuading
- 6
- Speaking - Signaling
- 7
- Serving - Assisting
- 8
- Not significant
Things
- 0
- Setting up
- 1
- Precision working
- 2
- Controlling
- 3
- Driving - Operating
- 4
- Operating - Manipulating
- 5
- Tending
- 6
- Feeding - Offbearing
- 7
- Handling
- 8
- Not significant
Data Analyzing 2
Examining and evaluating data; frequently presenting alternative action in relation to the evaluation.
People Not significant 8
Not significant
Things Precision working 1
Using the body and/or equipment to move, guide, place, install and/or interface with objects, in order to attain specifications and precise standards. Considerable judgment is required to select, adjust and utilize appropriate tools, products and/or materials to accomplish specified objectives.
Physical activities Help
V - Vision
- 1
- Close visual acuity
- 2
- Near vision
- 3
- Near and far vision
- 4
- Total visual field
H - Hearing
- 1
- Limited
- 2
- Verbal interaction
- 3
- Other sound discrimination
L - Limb co-ordination
- 0
- Not relevant
- 1
- Upper limb co-ordination
- 2
- Multiple limb co-ordination
C - Colour discrimination
- 0
- Not relevant
- 1
- Relevant
B - Body position
- 1
- Sitting
- 2
- Standing and/or walking
- 3
- Sitting, standing, walking
- 4
- Other body positions
S - Strength
- 1
- Limited
- 2
- Light
- 3
- Medium
- 4
- Heavy
Vision Vision V-3
The use of sight in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the visual field involved in the performance of the work.
3 - Near and far vision
Some work activities involve the monitoring of processes, objects or situations in the work environment that are far from the worker. Other work activities involve Near vision (2).
Examples:
- installing shingles/tiles on roofs
- conducting surveys to establish legal property boundaries
- developing trading strategies by monitoring market conditions from the exchange floor
Colour discrimination Colour discrimination C-0
The use of colour descrimination to identify, distinguish and match colours and different shades of the same colours.
0 - Not relevant
Colour discrimination is not relevant in the performance of the work.
Examples:
- cleaning windows
- providing information over the telephone
- interviewing, hiring and overseeing staff training
- translating documents
Hearing Hearing H-3
The use of hearing in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the type of auditory discrimination involved in the performance of the work.
3 - Other sound discrimination
Work activities involve the identification, assessment and/or production of sound. Verbal interaction (2) is included in this level.
Examples:
- leading bands, orchestras and choirs during musical rehearsals and performances
- administering audiometric tests to diagnose the degree of hearing impairment
- testing automotive systems and components using testing devices to isolate faults
- commanding fishing vessels by operating navigational instruments
Body position Body position B-4
Primary type of posture or body movement involved in performing the work. These postures or body movements range from simple to complex and from sedentary to mobile.
4 - Other body positions
Work activities involve body postures other than, or in addition to, Sitting (1) and Standing and/or walking (2) such as bending, stooping, kneeling and crouching
Examples:
- performing labouring duties in warehouses
- measuring, cutting and installing carpeting
- adjusting, repairing or replacing parts and components of automotive systems
- treating patients' disorders of the spine and body through corrective manipulation
Limb co-ordination Limb co-ordination L-1
The use of limbs in performing work.
1 - Upper limb co-ordination
Work activities involve co-ordination of upper limbs.
Examples:
- keyboarding
- performing maintenance services such as oil changes, lubrications and tune-ups
- operating video cameras
- instructing students in sign language
Strength Strength S-3
The use of strength in the handling of loads such as pulling, pushing, lifting and/or moving objects during the work performed.
3 - Medium
Work activities involve handling loads between 10 kg and 20 kg.
Examples:
- setting up and operating finishing machines or finishing furniture by hand
- measuring, cutting and applying wallpaper to walls
- adjusting, replacing or repairing mechanical or electrical components using hand tools and equipment
- operating film cameras to record live events
Environmental conditions Help
Location
- L1
- Regulated inside climate
- L2
- Unregulated inside climate
- L3
- Outside
- L4
- In a vehicle or cab
Hazards
- H1
- Dangerous chemical substances
- H2
- Biological agents
- H3
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- H4
- Electricity
- H5
- Radiation
- H6
- Flying particles, falling objects
- H7
- Fire, steam, hot surfaces
- H8
- Dangerous locations
Discomforts
- D1
- Noise
- D2
- Vibration
- D3
- Odours
- D4
- Non-toxic dusts
- D5
- Wetness
Discomforts Noise D1
Work conditions that create disturbances but are not hazardous. In general, these conditions create discomfort, but are not direct sources of injury. In extreme instances, however, these conditions might cause injury.
D1 - Noise
Work that produces sufficient noise – constant or intermittent – to cause marked distraction or possible loss of hearing.
Examples:
- operating drilling equipment in underground mines
- using power saws in logging operations
- blasting rock surface in mining
- operating heavy equipment for construction jobs
- using firearms
Hazards Equipment, machinery, tools H3
Potential hazards to which the worker may be exposed. The codes provide an indication of the type(s) of hazard(s) most likely to be present in the workplace environment. They are not a measure of frequency, duration or degree of exposure to hazards, but an indication of the presence or absence of a particular hazard in the work environment.
H3 - Equipment, machinery, tools
Working near or with equipment, instruments, machinery or power/hand tools that may be a potential source of accident or injury.
Examples:
- operating metal machining tools to shape metal
- using hand tools to fabricate wood products
- operating power saws to thin trees
- performing surgical procedures
Location Regulated inside climate L1
The work performed is carried out indoors in a regulated environment, indoors in an unregulated environment, outdoors or in a vehicle. In many occupations, the Main Duties may be performed in more than one location. Therefore, a group may have more than one Location code, for example:
- firefighting and fire prevention duties
- maintenance of interior/exterior of buildings
- managing operations and paperwork of farms
L1 - Regulated inside climate
A normal controlled environment such as an office, hospital or school.
Employment requirements Help
Education/training Help
- 1
- No formal education or training requirements
- 2
- Some high school education and/or on the job training or experience
- 3
- High school
- 4
- Course work, training, workshops and/or experience related to the occupation
- 5
- Apprenticeship, specialized training, vocational school training
- 6
- College, technical school (certificate, diploma)
- 7
- Undergraduate degree
- 8
- Post-graduate or professional degree
- +
- Additional requirement beyond education and training
- R
- Regulated requirement(s)
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- A college diploma in aircraft maintenance
or
completion of a four-year apprenticeship program is usually required. - Several years of on-the-job training are required for aircraft mechanics.
- Aircraft mechanics who sign maintenance releases and certify airworthiness require an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's (AME) licence issued by Transport Canada.
- Trade certification for aircraft maintenance engineers is available, but voluntary, in Ontario, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Trade certification for aircraft structural technicians is available, but voluntary, in British Columbia.
- Industry certification from the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council for some occupations in this unit group is available, but voluntary.
Workplaces/employers Help
- Aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul establishments
- Aircraft operators
- Airlines
Occupational options Help
- Aircraft mechanics may acquire further endorsements to their AME licence allowing them to inspect and certify a broader range of aircraft and aircraft systems.
- Aircraft mechanics may progress to foreman/woman, shop supervisor or aircraft inspector.
Exclusions Help
- Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (2244)
- Aircraft non-destructive inspection technicians (in 2261 Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians)
- Government airworthiness inspectors (in 2262 Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers)
- Supervisors of aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (in 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades)
- Aircraft engine fitters and assemblers (in 7316 Machine fitters)
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors (9521)
Remarks Help
- AME licences are issued in the following categories: M – Small and Large Aircrafts, E – Electronic Systems, S – Aircraft Structures.
- Aircraft mechanics usually specialize in working on specific aircraft systems such as engines, engine accessories, airframes, propellers, mechanical components or hydraulic systems and specific kinds of aircraft, such as light aircraft, jet transports and helicopters.
Breakdown summary
- Broad occupational category
- 7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
- Skill level
- B – Occupations usually require college education, specialized training or apprenticeship training
- Minor group
- 73 – Maintenance and equipment operation trades
- Minor group
- 731 – Machinery and transportation equipment mechanics (except motor vehicles)
- Unit group
- 7315 – Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- Version
- NOC 2016 Version 1.3