Aircraft Maintenance Manager

Individuals who possess good communication skills as well as are able to lead a team are the candidates that are most suitable to become aircraft maintenance managers. They should be able to concentrate for long periods of time, be able to work in cramped spaces and at great heights.

Aircraft maintenance managers should also have good hand-eye coordination and have excellent vision and hearing. They must also enjoy taking responsibility and be able to work in a group environment. The individuals must also have exceptional presentation and negotiation skills.

Aircraft maintenance managers must also have the ability to improve performance by using their analytical skills. Moreover, aircraft maintenance managers must also possess excellent interviewing and training skills.

Aircraft maintenance managers are responsible for making sure that everything is running smoothly at the aircraft maintenance facility. The aircraft maintenance manager has to manage the aircraft maintenance team and they must make sure that operations are efficient.

The aircraft maintenance manager must make sure that his/her team is happy and they must be able to hire and train the right people. Aircraft maintenance managers must also supervise all the maintenance work that is done on the different aircrafts and they must make reports after the maintenance work is finished.

If any of the maintenance workers find a problem in the plane, they report to the aircraft maintenance manager who in turn reports to higher authorities. The manager will then have to stop the aircraft from running until the problem is fixed on the plane.

Another task the manager has to perform while on duty is recognizing which planes are old and outdated and need to be scrapped before they become a safety hazard. Aircraft maintenance managers must also be updated with all the aviation technologies.

Aircraft maintenance managers have to check that planes are in running condition before each flight takes off. They must also check that the safety equipment on the plane is working. In case there are problems in the plane, the manager must take corrective action and fix the fault.

Aircraft maintenance managers need to hold a degree in aeronautical science or have an engineering degree to be qualified for this job. A diploma or advanced diploma in aviation maintenance is also a plus point to have.

Experience also plays a large part in the qualifications needed for becoming an aircraft maintenance manager. Usually aircraft maintenance managers need to have 7 years of experience in the field before entering this field.

After gaining experience, aircraft maintenance managers may enter higher management if they decide to work in other areas of the industry such as air crash investigation.

Aircraft maintenance managers are given medical benefits while some are also given dental benefits. In the United States, the median salary for aircraft maintenance managers is $101,440 per annum. Initially, salaries start from $80,000 per annum, and after ten years of experience may rise up to $120,000 per annum.

In India, the salary for a beginner aircraft maintenance manager is ranging between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 40,000 per month. This figure increases as the individual gains more experience on the job.

Aircraft maintenance managers usually work in offices but they may also work in workshops or hangers of the aircrafts. Usually it depends on the workload that there is at that time. General aviation companies, domestic and international airlines, or aerospace companies may employ these managers.

There is a lot of risk involved in this job, as it is the manager’s job to ensure the safety of the aircraft, and the passengers on board. There is zero room for error, and so the job is a stressful one. Aircraft maintenance managers usually work 40 hours a week in 8 hour shifts.

If the individual is interested in aircrafts and is passionate about planes, then this job holds the biggest perk for them in the form that they will be able to work with planes while on the job. Another perk of this career is that the salary is very high, and this is a great incentive for most people.

They also have the benefit of free or reduced air travel and other benefits that are provided by the airline.

The major downside of becoming an aircraft maintenance manager is that it is a very stressful job and many lives depend upon the manager being able to perform effectively. Along with this, aircraft maintenance managers also must work long hours per week.

Because there are only a limited amount of aircraft maintenance managers, there is a lot of competition in the industry. Moreover, because it is a field that pays well, there is a lot of competition amongst candidates.

There is however, a shortage of aircraft maintenance managers in the industry currently, and it is expected to increase as the aviation industry expands in the next ten years.

Aircraft maintenance managers are usually hired in all cities where airports are located.