Loading...
A&P Aircraft Mechanic Jobs Irvine California CA

Aircraft Mechanic Jobs Irvine, CA

An aircraft mechanic is a hot career! The A&P Mechanic industry is in need of trained A&P mechanics right now. Whether you want to work for the airlines, a smaller corporate operation, or for yourself as an independent A&P, we offer the following training resources to help you get started. Learn more about A&P Mechanic Technician Training


What is the typical A&P Mechanic Technician salary? Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) can make a comfortable living repairing and performing scheduled maintenance on aircraft, with top earners at major airlines earning well over $70,000 a year.

According to 2012 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most AMTs make somewhere between $16.92 and $36.86 per hour, with median income at $26.55 per hour or $55,210 a year. The middle 50% earned between $45,670 and $65,750. At the lowest end of the scale, 10% of AMTs earned less than $35,190, while the top 10% earned more than $76,660.

As you might expect with aircraft mechanic jobs in Irvine, CA, the positions with the highest aircraft maintenance salary are in the major airline and federal government sectors, where A&P mechanics typically work on large jet aircraft. (In the U.S., AMTs usually refer to themselves as A&Ps, which stands for airframe and powerplant mechanics. In Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the equivalent of an AMT is an aircraft maintenance engineer.) Learn more about A&P Mechanic Technician Training

When compared to other professional technicians (such as auto mechanics, electricians, electro-mechanical technicians, and heavy vehicle service technicians), AMTs tend to earn a higher salary. In fact, AMTs' median annual income is typically between $4,000 and $18,000 higher than these technical professions. Get more info about aircraft mechanic jobs in Irvine, CA.

A&P Mechanic Jobs in Irvine, CA

There are several training routes to take to land the top A&P mechanic jobs. Attend a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved A&P Mechanic. Currently, the FAA has approximately 170 approved A&P Mechanic schools listed on their website. For those interested in landing the top A&P mechanic jobs in Irvine, CA, you need to attend an A&P Mechanic School and get the practical experience you'll need to become an A&P Mechanic.

Many A&P mechanics who have the best jobs get their training in the military. As a military A&P mechanic looking for the best paying job, you could be working on anything from large airliners and transports to jet fighters and attack helicopters. If you decide to go the military route, upon your discharge from the military, you'll still need to take the necessary FAA tests and have the proper documentation of your practical experience. That means you'll have to take all the courses too!

Once you have passed the required tests, you'll be eligible to apply for the very best A&P jobs in Irvine, CA. However, please note that military experience can sometimes be too specific, and not meet the broad specifications required by the FAA. Even after discharge, you may have to attend one of the FAA-approved AMT schools.

On the job training - a very few people earn the required minimum coursework and skill set needed to pass the A&P certification tests through on the job training. Typically, you must be under the direct supervision of an A&P for at least 30 months and be logging all of your hours to go this route. Your time log must be notarized by your employer or signed off by the supervising A&P. Find out more about A&P Mechanic jobs.

A&P Mechanic Requirements

To be a certified A&P mechanic or avionics technician you need to meet several qualifications:

  • Age 18 or older
  • Read, write, speak, and understand the English language
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Display the required technical skills

Avionics Technician Salary

Avionics Technicians test electronic instruments, assemble components, install instrument panels, interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and problems, and repair or replace malfunctioning components. According to 2012 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most Avionics Technicians earned somewhere between $18.82 and $35.47 per hour, with median income at $26.61 per hour or $55,350 a year. The middle 50% earned between $47,210 and $64,890. At the lowest end of the scale, 10% of Avionics Technicians earned less than $39,150, while the top 10% earned more than $73,770.

The positions with the highest avionics technician salary are in the aerospace, major airline, and federal government sectors. The chart below shows Avionics Technicians' mean annual salary by industry (for those industries with the highest levels of employment):

A&P Mechanic Technician Benefits

Salaries and benefits can vary. Salary is often dependent on the size of the company, work location, past work experience, licenses (e.g., A&P certificate), and type of craft serviced. In terms of benefits packages, both airline and general aviation employers typically offer paid holidays, vacations, insurance plans, retirement programs, and sick leave. A&P Mechanic technicians working for the largest companies can expect top-notch benefits packages, including both health and life insurance and, for those working for airlines, travel benefits for themselves and immediate family (e.g., free or reduced-price transportation to route destinations and travel exchange privileges with other airlines).

Interesting Helicopter Facts for Irvine, CA

There are more than 11,000 civil helicopters operating just in the U.S. and more than 15,000 civil helicopters operating in more than 157 other countries around the world.

The record for the fastest helicopter in the world is held by the Sikorsky X2 which, during a flyby over Florida, United States, clocked 258mph (416kph). But this was beaten recently. On June 7th 2013, the X3 blew through the previous air speed record for helicopters by cruising at 255 knots (293 MPH) during a 40-minute flight over Southern France near Istres.

Fun Helicopter Facts for Irvine, CA

A helicopter's rotary wing blades are usually made of fiber-reinforced resin, which may be adhesively bonded with an external sheet metal layer to protect edges. The helicopter's windscreen and windows are formed of polycarbonate sheeting.

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Factoid Flaps

Flaps are found on most aircraft. They are usually inboard on the wings’ trailing edges adjacent to the fuselage. Leading edge flaps are also common. They extend forward and down from the inboard wing leading edge. The flaps are lowered to increase the camber of the wings and provide greater lift and control at slow speeds. They enable landing at slower speeds and shorten the amount of runway required for takeoff and landing. The amount that the flaps extend and the angle they form with the wing can be selected from the cockpit. Typically, flaps can extend up to 45–50°

This website uses cookies. By using our website, you agree to our cookie policy and privacy policy.