Aviation Inspector Career Guide: Duties, Earnings and Employment Outlook
Submitted by: Gypsy Santiago
Job Overview: Aviation inspectors are responsible for inspecting aircraft, air traffic controls, communication equipments, air navigational aids, and maintenance procedures to ensure aviation safety. They spend plenty of time checking all parts, pieces and processes involved in an aircraft are appropriate for flying. These inspectors are responsible for checking if practices are followed within established rules and that all aircrafts are in compliance with safety regulations. They are also the ones who investigate causes of accidents as well as perform surveillance and issue certification to mechanics and operators.
Education, Training and Knowledge Requirements: To become an aircraft inspector, one should possess a high school diploma and pursue a 4-year degree in engineering, air transportation, aeronautics, or similar mathematics or science courses. He/she then needs to obtain 18 to 24 months of instruction on aviation technology, avionics or aviation maintenance management at an FAA-certified institution. After school, they must work for several years as aircraft technicians or mechanics before they qualify to become inspectors. Certification requirements to become inspectors vary largely depending on the type of aviation safety position desired. These certifications are needed to be renewed yearly and continuing education is often required.
Skills & Abilities:
An aviation inspector must have high aptitude in physics, mathematics, chemistry, mechanical drawing, and computer science as well as their applications. He/she must also possess effective written and verbal communications skills because their work entails asking questions, instructing other people, and giving written or oral reports of findings. They should also be self-motivated, detail-oriented, highly organized, inquisitive and has the ability to solve complex mechanical problems quickly and apply the principles involved in aircraft operation and maintenance. They should also possess good vision, possess a valid driver’s license and a strong background in electronics.
Duties: Tasks of an aviation inspector includes analyzing training programs to ensure competency of personnel involved in installing, repairing and operating equipments; approving or denying certifications of airworthiness; examining mechanical parts of aircrafts; conducting flight test programs; examining maintenance records; inspecting modified, repaired and new aircrafts; examining doors and access plates of aircraft to ensure security; investigating air accidents; issuing pilot’s licenses; observing flight activities; recommending changes in standards, regulations, policies and rules; scheduling in-flight testing programs and preparing detailed reports of investigation, inspection, repair and certification, among others.
Earnings & Job Outlook: Aviation inspectors can hold jobs in both private and public institutions. Two types of inspectors exist – the general aviation inspector who handles aircrafts under 12,500 pounds and the air carrier inspector who maintains aircrafts over 12,500 pounds. Employment opportunities are expected to grow faster than average through 2016. Median salary of inspectors is at $62,000 per year, but this can vary depending on experience, type of position and location of job.
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.
Latest Articles about: Careers
1: College Mathematics Professors: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook2: Mathematics Teacher: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
3: Medical Assistant: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
4: Mathematicians: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
5: Medical Ethicist: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Word Count: 481 Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 Time: 9:34 PM
Previous - Wellhead Pumpers Job Description: Duties, Knowledge and Training Requirements, Job Outlook and Salary Information | Next - Architectural Drafter Job Description: Overview, Education & Training Requirements, Job Outlook and Salary