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United States · Mechanic certificate

What aircraft mechanics do: duties, privileges and pay

Aircraft mechanics inspect, maintain, repair and alter aircraft, engines, propellers and parts, then approve them for return to service. With the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mechanic certificate and its Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings, an Airframe-rated mechanic can do the 100-hour inspection on an airframe and sign it off, and a Powerplant-rated mechanic can do the same for engines and propellers. The FAA says mechanics work at maintenance and repair organizations, airlines, manufacturers, repair stations and in business and general aviation. What do aircraft mechanics do day to day? The FAA describes hangar and flight line work that can be loud and outdoors in all weather.

  • 6 monthsMechanic work needed in each 24 months
  • 50 poundsRoutine lifts or pulls, in the FAA’s words
  • 100-hour inspectionOne sign-off an A&P mechanic may make
Where to study

Updated November 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What do aircraft mechanics do under their certificate?

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 65.81 to 65.87 set the privileges. A certificated mechanic may perform or supervise maintenance, preventive maintenance and alterations on what they’re rated for, with some limits:

  • Not major repairs or major alterations of propellers, and not any repair or alteration of instruments
  • Not approving major repairs or major alterations for return to service: that needs an inspection authorization (IA)
  • Not supervising or signing off work they haven’t done before, unless they show they can, to the FAA or under an experienced mechanic’s supervision
  • Only with an understanding of the manufacturer’s instructions and maintenance manuals for the job

To keep using the certificate, 14 CFR 65.83 says that within the past 24 months you must have worked at least 6 months as a mechanic, supervising mechanics or supervising maintenance in an executive role, or the FAA must have found you able to do the work. From October 22, 2025, Airframe and Powerplant mechanics may also approve some major repairs and alterations on light-sport aircraft, under 65.85(b) and 65.87(b).

The inspection authorization →

Where aircraft mechanics work

The FAA lists airlines, fixed-base operators, manufacturers, repair stations, maintenance schools and business and general aviation, with specialty fields in avionics, balloons and airships, rotorcraft and unmanned aircraft. AC 65‑30B describes the work: hangars, flight lines and repair stations, hand and power tools and computer test equipment, high noise, all kinds of weather, and moderate to heavy physical activity.

It also says newly hired airline mechanics may have to work nights and weekends, and that airline benefits such as paid holidays, insurance, retirement plans and free or reduced-cost travel vary by airline. General aviation has traditionally kept weekday business hours, though nights, overtime and weekends happen there too.

Avionics work and certificates →

Working without a certificate

You can work on aircraft without the A&P, the FAA says, but only under a certificated mechanic or repairman, or under the authority of a part 145 repair station or a part 121 or 135 air carrier. Only a certificated person, or those certificate holders’ procedures, can approve the work for return to service. An airline isn’t required by FAA rules to hire certificated mechanics, but the FAA says air carriers often ask for the certificate, and that it could lead to more opportunities and higher wages.

Turning that work into experience →

Aircraft mechanic pay

The FAA doesn’t publish pay figures. It points you to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): the Occupational Outlook Handbook gives the national median pay and job outlook for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians, and the BLS wage pages the FAA links break pay down by industry and area.

BLS: Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians ↗BLS: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, wages ↗
Sources: FAA · GovInfo · Federal Register and 2 more. Checked November 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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