Job Responsibilities
My current position is a Quality Inspector. This position
requires a well rounded knowledge of all aspects of an aircraft
so that I can perform 'Return to Service' inspections on an
aircraft that has been damaged or is in for maintenance. A day
can consist of 1 or 100 different inspection items depending on
the degree of work/or damage that was done.
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Job Requirements
I began my aviation career by going to a trade school, about 2yr
and 18k tuition. Many start out in aviation thru the military.
I don't think any of it was to difficult, having an interest in
aviation helps - it gives you the drive, because there are long
hours and lots of redundancy(don't want the aircraft falling out
of the sky). Many of the smaller non-unionized shops are easier
to get into on the ground floor, and you have the ability to work
your way up. Many also will pay for schooling after that or
provide formal training.
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Uppers
The aircraft I work with always have the latest and greatest everything, A lot
of the systems my employer puts on the aircraft, are the first ones ever. I have
had multiple opportunities to go on test flights(as a passenger of course) Test
flights usually push the plane to it's limits, which makes for an anything but
normal flight - it's exciting!
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Downers
Our industry motto says it all: Airplanes Don't Make Any Money On
The Ground. Which means long hours, unscheduled times, and
demanding customers. also many uncontrollable factors affect this
industries livelyhood: terrorist attachs, gas prices, weather
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Lifestyle
This is mainly a production field - don't paint your nails, you will be getting
dirty. Lifestyles are really reflective of the company you sign on with, cargo
planes = quick, cheap, and dirty
corporate/private jets = more money, top-of-the-line, respected
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Compensation
this is also reflective of the outfit you sign on with:
major airlines are mostly unionized and biggest benefit is
usually great deals on airfare. Corporate/Private offer higher
wages with profit sharing but wages aren't standardized and can
range greatly.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The best advise I can give someone that is looking into aviation
is: Don't look here for something long term if you don't care
about aviation, you won't last. Aviation is and will be in the
forseable future the quickest way to travel and ship, and that
will drive it's future regardless of rising operating costs.
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