High School

High school students interested in a career in aviation safety should pursue a college prep curriculum, since a college degree is preferred for many positions in aviation safety inspection. Mathematics and science courses are especially useful. Course work in communications will also be beneficial, since aviation safety inspectors need to ask questions, instruct others, and give oral and written reports of their findings.

Postsecondary Training

A high school diploma or equivalency is the minimum eligibility requirement for all federal aviation safety positions; a college degree may be required for nongovernment positions. Experience is also required, some of which is general to all aviation safety positions. Other experience is specific to the different positions in the field of aviation safety. A college education can be used to substitute for some or all of the required experience, depending upon each position. For example, the federal government will allow the substitution of one year of school for nine months of general experience. A bachelor's degree in the fields of engineering, aeronautics, or air transportation is especially useful. All prospective aviation safety inspectors should have general experience that provides them with knowledge of the aviation industry and/or aircraft operation. Examples of positions that would qualify as general experience include being a pilot or crew member, an air traffic controller, an aviation mechanic, or an avionics technician.

Some positions require specific experience. For example, an aviation safety inspector in operations needs experience as a pilot or copilot, a flight instructor, a flight test pilot, a flight inspector, or an aviation operations inspector. Some positions require that inspectors have the ability to operate specific types of aircraft. This experience can be gained from private flight schools, university flight schools, and military training.

An aviation safety inspector in manufacturing needs experience with quality control in accordance with federal aviation regulations. The quality control experience should be with the production of aircraft, aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, or aircraft assemblies. Some positions require additional experience in supervision, management, and implementation of quality control programs.

An aviation safety inspector focusing on airworthiness needs experience in supervising the repair and maintenance of aircraft, aircraft engines, or aircraft electronics communication and navigation systems. This experience must include being responsible for following federal aviation standards for airworthiness, or military regulations and safety standards. A job as a field service representative of an aircraft systems manufacturer or an aircraft equipment manufacturer may provide adequate experience for some positions, as well.

Certification or Licensing

Certification requirements vary according to the position. For example, an aviation safety inspector working for the federal government in a position where he or she has to operate aircraft must have a commercial pilot certificate as well as a flight instructor certificate, both with single- and multi-engine land and instrument ratings. An aviation safety inspector in a position where he or she has to operate aircraft in the air carrier field must have an airline transport pilot certificate. A commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine land and instrument ratings, and eligibility for an airline transport pilot certificate will also suffice. Aviation safety inspectors in the area of manufacturing, working for the federal government at a GS-9 position or above, need an FAA mechanic certificate, with airframe and power plant ratings. All certificates must be current.

Other Requirements

Depending on the position and the employers, candidates may have to undergo background checks and meet citizenship and age requirements.

Aspiring inspectors must have some aviation-related experience; inspectors often began their careers as aircraft pilots, air traffic controllers, avionics technicians, or aviation mechanics. Work experience in the field of aviation and education in areas such as engineering, air transportation, or aeronautics will count as sufficient experience in some cases.

Aviation safety inspectors must be methodical, have an eye for detail, and be able to accept responsibility. They must be persistent and patient as they perform inspections or follow an investigation to its conclusion. They also must be able to communicate well with others in order to reach a clear analysis of a situation and be able to report this information. Inspectors must be able to write effective reports that convey vast amounts of information and investigative work.