Have you always wanted to know what is hiding in the belly of airplanes? Then discover the profession of aeronautical maintenance engineer and become the guarantor of their good maintenance and safety.
The aeronautical maintenance engineer, when he operates within an airline or a civil or military aeronautical maintenance unit, is called upon to lead and coordinate teams of technicians who implement the maintenance programs of the aircraft (planes or helicopters). It can also work with aircraft manufacturers and major equipment manufacturers (engine manufacturers, radar manufacturers, etc.), to design and develop maintenance programs. aircraft maintenance and ensure the interface with the users of the aircraft fleets (airlines, civil security and air force). The purpose of aeronautical maintenance is to maintain each of the aircraft in service, whatever its age, at a level of safety identical to that of the new aircraft leaving the factory, this is called maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. aircraft. To achieve this result, an aeronautical maintenance program generally has three components:
- scheduled preventive maintenance: this concerns operations scheduled at regular intervals counted in flight hours or in number of take-offs/landings, or simply on a calendar basis (in number of months for example) depending on the equipment to be changed;
- corrective maintenance according to condition: this involves finding and resolving the failures observed in flight;
- modifications to the device: certain damage, for example cracks or corrosion spots, not foreseeable at the time of design, are observed during the life of a airplane due to its aging, without causing a breakdown. These faults must be corrected and require modifications to the device.
L’aeronautical engineer may also be involved in the design of solutions for modifying an aircraft following damage, in the design of certain special tools and measuring benches, or tests used for maintenance. In addition, it ensures compliance with the standards and regulations in force in terms of aeronautical safety and the organization of aeronautical maintenance. It can also contribute to their improvement within European or state bodies, and in this context, have a mission to inspect airline maintenance services. Finally, it strives to optimize aircraft potential and reduce downtime by optimizing the logistics supply chain with different suppliers.
The main qualities to have
The aeronautical maintenance engineer must demonstrate versatility in terms of skills and qualities:
- master the sciences and techniques of the aeronautical field and the construction of aircraft at an engineering level;
- master the detailed operation of the aircraft and all the complex systems of which it is composed, for each of the types of aircraft on which its teams work;
- have in-depth technical knowledge of safety, quality, environment and aeronautical standardization;
- be able to detect anomalies;
- know how to be responsive and know how to make sometimes urgent decisions in the event of a problem during air operations;
- enjoy working in a team;
- have very good interpersonal skills;
- be rigorous and methodical;
- master technical English;
- carry out a technological watch, in particular on the technical modifications prescribed by the various manufacturers.
Work conditions
As planes fly seven days a week, the aeronautical maintenance engineer must adapt. He therefore works both on weekdays and on weekends with working hours that can be restrictive. He may also be required to travel abroad. Guarantor of the safety of the devices, he must have a high resistance to stress and know how to work within the deadlines so as not to immobilize the machines for too long. In permanent contact with the pilots and crews, the manufacturers, the subcontractors but also the production and quality departments, the aeronautical maintenance engineer must enjoy working in a team.
The salary of an aeronautical maintenance engineer
As a beginner, an aeronautical maintenance engineer earns a monthly salary of around 3,000 euros gross.
Development prospects for the aeronautical maintenance engineer
An aeronautical maintenance engineer can progress to positions related to the industrialization of systems and the optimization of aircraft assembly lines, on method engineer or quality engineer positions for example. He can also decide to specialize in a specific area, become a purchasing engineer or even join a service company as a consultant.
Companies that employ aeronautical maintenance engineers
- Airlines companies ;
- military airbases;
- aircraft maintenance companies;
- European or state services (EASA, DGAC);
- aircraft manufacturers and equipment manufacturers on jobs as engineers in charge of integrated logistics support (ILS) when designing a new aircraft.
Three questions for Aude Manson, Maintenance Unit Manager at Air France KLM, Alumni of IPSA, school of air, space and sustainable mobility engineers.
1) Electric aircraft, hydrogen aircraft, use of biofuels… The desire to reduce the environmental footprint of aircraft is well underway among most major manufacturers. How will the aircraft of the future change the profession of aeronautical maintenance engineer?
In our business, we are used to adapting to new aircraft types. For example, an A350 is mostly made up of composite materials, one of the advantages of which is to lighten the structure of the aircraft to reduce its fuel consumption. The use of these materials in such large quantities is quite innovative in the field. Fault detection and repair procedures had to be reviewed. The aircraft of the future will also bring its share of novelties.
2) What qualities are needed to work as an aeronautical maintenance engineer? Have you discovered unknown business aspects through your professional experience?
An aeronautical maintenance engineer must like technique and have good interpersonal skills. A desire for continuous improvement must drive it: finding the best repair solution, making a system more reliable, analyzing a process to optimize it, capitalize on its knowledge and share.
With this job, I discovered an innovative and constantly evolving industry. Even though we are years away from the pioneers of aeronautics, operating an aircraft reveals surprises every day and no day is alike. Our organizations, over-regulated, are constantly rethinking themselves and despite the industrial aspect of our profession, the human factor plays a large part in our activities.
3) The aeronautical sector is constantly evolving, in particular to achieve greener aircraft. But what about the training of engineers in aeronautical maintenance? Have universities adapted as quickly as the market?
All players in the sector are becoming aware of the need to reduce the environmental impact of aviation. Training is changing but still needs to be strengthened in this area so that new engineers can leave their training course with a solid foundation to bring innovative ideas.
Job description written in partnership with Ionis Education Group.
My job explained to my mother
My job can be compared to managing a large car garage where customers come with their cars to have their tires pressured, the 20,000 km overhaul, or come with minor sores! Whether you come with a Lada or a Lamborghini, there is no favouritism, we are a team of enthusiasts who do everything possible to ensure that the plane comes back from service and is repaired as quickly as possible, with the best quality. of service and in respect of the safety of flights and people.
As a “mechanic”, I rely on multidisciplinary maintenance teams to carry out maintenance, and adapt to a very tight schedule as well as to unforeseen events. My role is to facilitate the daily life of the teams: sizing, required skills, setting up training plans and career support, but also, do you need a roof to shelter from the wind and rain or, the works can they be made outside, has our logistics department been able to organize the arrival of spare parts, do we have all the tools?