Aircraft Maintenance Technician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aircraft Maintenance Technician, as used in the United States, refers to an individual who holds a mechanic certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMT's) perform or supervise maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration of aircraft and aircraft systems in accordance with the provisions of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR's, which are Chapter 1 of Title 14 the Code of Federal Regulations). The Canadian equivalent of an AMT is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
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[edit] Certification
Certification of mechanics is regulated under 14 CFR Part 65[1]. Those who fullfill the necessary requirements are issued a Mechanic certificate with either an Airframe or Powerplant rating, or both. It is these ratings which together account for the common practice of referring to mechanics as "A&P's." Until the early 1950s, instead of the Powerplant rating, an Engine rating was issued, so the abbreviation "A&E" may appear in older documents.
The general requirements for eligibility for a mechanic certificate include the following:
- Be 18 or older;
- Be able to read, speak, and understand English; and
- Pass a set of required tests within a maximum of 24 months.
Eligibility for the mechanic tests depends on the applicant's ability to document her or his knowledge of required subject matter and ability to perform maintenance tasks. The FAA recognizes two ways of demonstrating the needed knowledge and skills: On-the-job experience or completion of a training program at a school certified under 14 CFR Part 147[2].
[edit] 14 CFR Part 147 schools
These regulations specify each class and topic the applicant must become proficient in and how many hours each class must contain. Completion of the program usually takes between 18 months and two years. The FAA usually requires the mechanics be taught all systems of the aircraft, such as:
- Airframe sheet metal structures
- Composite structures
- Deicing systems
- Dope-and-fabric
- Electrical systems
- Flight controls
- Hydraulics
- Ignition Systems
- Landing gear
- Reciprocating Engines
- Turbine engines
- Welding
After a maintenance student completes the required academic and hands-on course work, he is then required by the FAA to pass a written General test, an Airframe written test, and a Powerplant written in order to then go on to the next phase of testing. After all written tests are satisfactorily completed the candidate is now able to take an Oral & Practical exam given by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) to receive the A&P certificate from the FAA. This certificate allows the A&P mechanic to return aircraft to service after maintenance.
[edit] Inspection Authorization
Some AMTs, after at least three years or working in their field, choose to acquire an inspection authorization. These individuals are allowed to perform annual inspections on aircraft and sign-off major repairs and alterations. Certification and limitations of mechanics with Inspection Authorization is contained in 14 CFR Part 65.
[edit] European authorities
In Europe, Aircraft Maintenance technicians have to comply to part-66 Certifying Staff of the EASA.
Part 66 is based on the JAR system and ATA 104 system. There are 4 levels of authorization:
- level 1: General familiarisation, Unlicenced
- level 2: Ramp and transit , Category A
- level 3: Line and base maintenance, Category B1 (mechanical) and/or B2(avionics)
- level 4: Release to Service , Category C
