Aeronautical and Aerospace Technicians Work Information: Education & Training Requirements, Job Outlook and Salary
Submitted by: Gypsy Santiago
Job Overview: Aeronautical and aerospace technicians work alongside engineers and scientists in designing, constructing, testing, operating and maintaining aircraft or spacecraft structures, propulsion and control systems. They also work in preparing diagrams, drawings, scale models and blueprints; collecting information; performing laboratory tests; making computations and working on projects such as flight-test evaluation, aerodynamics, propulsion problems and structural design, among others.
Education, Training and Knowledge Requirements: To prepare for college, one should complete courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, trigonometry, algebra, drafting, social studies, economics, blueprint reading, history, computer, English, technical writing and other related field. He/she should then obtain an associate or bachelor’s degree in science, engineering or aeronautical technology. Those who finish an associate’s degree are called aerospace technicians, while those with a bachelor’s degree are called aerospace technicians. Some aerospace technician positions may require certification, especially if their work entails handling nuclear power, radioactive sources and other safety-related tasks. Continuing education is usually required, but most companies offer tuition reimbursement.
Skills & Abilities: Aeronautical and aerospace technicians must possess excellent engineering skills, technical writing and communications skills, leadership and time-management skills, problem-solving and analytical skills and proficiency in basic manufacturing, statistics, computers and physical sciences.
Duties: Aeronautical and aerospace technicians may hold various designations, depending on the tasks assigned in each position.
For instance, those responsible for operating devices used in training astronauts or pilots are called aerospace physiological technicians, while those who work in operating, repairing, adjusting and launching aircraft carrier’s equipment or parts are called Aircraft launch and recovery technicians.
Other classifications exist, such as avionics technicians (repairing and maintaining radio or radar equipment), computer technicians (assisting in developing or updating systems), drafting and design technicians (converting blueprints or sketches to actual devices), engineering technicians (researching the cause of failure in flight vehicles), electronics technicians (helping in the development and update of electromechanial or electronic systems), instrumentation technicians (testing, installing and maintaining hydraulic, electronic and optical instruments), industrial engineering technicians (working with engineers to prepare layouts of equipment, machinery, budget and other studies related to a vehicle’s efficiency, safety and costs.
Earnings & Job Outlook: Aeronautical and aerospace technicians find work in commercial airlines, aerospace manufacturing companies and government agencies. The U.S. Department of Labor expects the employment growth to decline through 2014. Salaries of technicians in this field vary largely based on experience, location of job and size of company, but it usually ranges between $34,800 and $74,800.
Gypsy Santiago is a professional resume writer and career search strategy/career branding coach with years of experience in assisting job seekers prepare for the job market. She helps create career-targeted resumes, provides useful tips about career transition, offers future career ideas and guide jobseekers about effective job search techniques.
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Word Count: 438 Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 Time: 11:50 AM
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