Originally published at: Aviation Mechanic Shortage Set to Worsen
Aviation mechanic shortage projected through 2035 as fleet growth outpaces supply and examiner capacity.
It’s not set to worsen, it is getting worse. I met the owner of the shop where I had the annual done on my newly purchased airplane. The manager of the shop is a friend and he didn’t have a problem with me helping out on the annual. When the owner of the shop found out I am a certificated A+P, he offered me a job on the spot! So did his son. Never had anyone do that for me as a pilot.
Montgomery-Gibbs Executive airport KMYF, where I’m a based IA, the required liability insurance for mobile mechanic & maintenance & repair operators is $5,000,000!!
Pay us better. Maybe more of us will stick around.
I can make more money if the company paid me by the job instead of hourly.
If I the manual states the job can be done in two hours and I do the job in an hour and a half, I should still be paid for the two hours. Give me that pay.
I earned my certificate in 1996 and now teach at a Part 147 school. I have never observed a period of time where the skills of the A&P mechanic were not in demand. There is no difference between today and 30 years ago. The reasons vary but chief amongst them might just be the commitment it takes just to get through school. It’s an eighteen month journey and not an easy one. Add to that the demands of the industry if you work heavies or the demands of the individuals if you work general aviation. Frankly it’s nice to be sought after. My phone rings regularly from individuals needing annual inspections.
I am a bachelors degree holder in Aeronautical engineering and a masters degree holder in aviation. I am looking for practical training and experience to gain my licences. People like me want to get into the industry but it’s so hard and difficult. Anyone who can help me or guide me towards any organisation which provides practical training while I simultaneously finish my EASA modules will be appreciated. Thank you.
Got my A&P in 1983 one month after I separated. Airlines would not even respond to resumes & applications I sent. Finally got on with a major in 1989 retired in 2021. Were there tough years you bet! On strike once, laid off after 9/11 for almost 5 years. When I retired my supervisor tried to talk me into staying. Got emails from two major freight carriers & one major airline trying to recruit me. The airline was one I hounded when I first got my A&P. How times change. FLY NAVY!!!
There’s a lot of parallels in mechanics for aircraft as well as mechanics in automobile applications. Pay, conditions, distractions, money, and benefits. You attract bees with honey. You want monkeys, pay peanuts.
How much are the premiums?
I served 10 years in the AF and finished my A&P right around the time i separated. My first GA job was building experimental aircraft for 15.00/hr. This was with 10 years of turboprop experience and my A&P. I worked in the industry for about 10 years total amd made just over 20.00/hr as a shift lead at an FBO when i changed carrier fields. It was a hard job, rewarding at times, but never got paid what i feel i should have. I make more now than i probably ever would have as a mechanic without the wear and tear on my body. I still miss wrenching, but work on my own projects to help fill the urge.
Those of us who have been on the aviation roller coaster have seen many changes since the 80’s when airlines were super saturated and like for me went into BizAv after 8 years of service in the Army as a crew chief mx team leader. Learned Learjets, king airs, Westwinds, challengers, Falcons and many more. It has been a roller coaster working for people who only wanted you to work for a 1099, to W2 jobs sadly those came and went in the corporate world due to changes in management or financial issues. I worked for the main man that still owns a popular chain of FBO’s and a charter and repair station that we could not buy a part from Learjet at the time without a 2 signature bank guaranteed draft because they sucked at paying their bills and lost all credit net 30 status. Bad managers ruin good jobs in BizAv and I imagine other places. I have a friend who left a major airline recently because of their policies that seem to favor hiring grossly unqualified people (off the street) that offer little if any help besides keeping break rooms occupied, yet benefit from “seniority” not to mention not forcing non mechanics (ground handling personnel) to be on the same drug and alcohol program as the mechs. Weed smokers have no place around airplanes yet this airline does nothing to stop it due to their “hiring practices”. I spent 32 years a DOM and when they listen it’s good, everything get done owners are happy and plane runs flawlessly. When they don’t listen things go bad, trips are interrupted or missed due to mx needing to be performed and tempers flare due to changes to the plan. The Army taught me the 7 P’s and what happens when you violate them. Proper prior planning prevents Piss Poor Performance and I will add outcome.
I hope one day aviation companies learn to treat mechanics like they treat pilots. Until that happens pay will be asymmetric.
There is no doubt that we will continue to need good mechanics as long as we have mechanical aircraft. But why is there a shortage and why is it getting worse? Yes the fleet is growing, yes we all want more pay, better benefits, retirement programs, etc. All are contributors to the shortage. Are there any other contributors? I believe there probably are a number more.
One factor that I wonder about is a general attitude amount the US population. At some time in the relatively recent past we quit looking at skilled trades as a viable and prestigious profession. (Which they definitely are) Instead, there seems to be a misconception that the skilled trades are for those that, for one reason or another, cannot attend college. That simple thought places a stigma on all trades as somehow being substandard professions. Our aviation community is but one industry that suffers when good people choose non-trade paths because of a stigma associated with trades.
I am in complete agreement with those that have identified a multitude of factors for our current shortage. All areas will require a push and each area will provide gains to keep good mechanics. We also need to grow more good mechanics. Maybe a slight change in general mindset, in addition to the other areas, could help open the door for more good people to enter this very important and necessary field.