Aircraft Mechanic Jobs Overland Park, KS
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 Overland Park, KS, 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 Overland Park, KS.
A&P Mechanic Jobs in Overland Park, KS
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 Overland Park, KS, 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 Overland Park, KS. 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.
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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).
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Overland Park, KS
Hovering a helicopter is the hardest skill for a beginner pilot to learn. Holding a steady hover in left crosswind can be a challenge even for an experience pilot. A beginner usually has little trouble conducting basic maneuvers 1000' above the ground and moving forward at 70 knots. That's partly because the helicopter tail has horizontal and vertical stabilizer surfaces and partly because minor attitude variations don't matter much, e.g., the helicopter flies just as well at 60 or 80 knots as at 70 knots.
How to pick a helicopter flight school near Overland Park, KS
Ask to talk to a couple of the instructors. You may have to come back if they are all flying at the time. Ask leading questions, such as whether the instructor enjoys working at the school, whether the management is difficult to work for, is the maintenance good, are the helicopters all in good shape. The way the instructor answers is as important as what he/she says... If the owner told you it would take \X hours and Y dollars to get your rating ask the instructor whether those estimates are reasonable or not. Don't say the owner quoted them just ask do you think I could get my rating in X hours for Y dollars?.