Aircraft maintenance employment opportunities There are at least nine different categories of employment opportunities that FAA A&P mechanic certification will provide for you in aircraft maintenance. Many of these employment opportunities are available locally and others are available both in the u.s. and overseas. 1. Global and major air carriers (approximately 12 companies nationwide) large air transportation companies with national and in some cases international passenger and/or cargo service. some examples include: American airlines, continental airlines, delta, federal express, northwest, TWA, united, u.s. air, and western. fleets include a wide mix of large transport aircraft: b- 727 through b-777, md-80, dc-8, dc-9, dc-10, l-1011, a-300, a-310, etc. the number of technicians varies from approximately 500 to 12,800 per airline.
2. National air carriers (approximately 22 companies nationwide) local service companies offering passenger and/or cargo capabilities. some examples include: air Wisconsin, AirCal, Alaska, aloha, America west, American trans air, Hawaiian, jet America, midway, pacific southwest, southwest, ups, world, and Zantop. fleets include a mix of various transport aircraft similar to the major airlines plus the smaller variety of commuter aircraft. the number of technicians varies from approximately 75 to 700 per airline. 3. Regional and commuter air carriers provide air service from small cities to the hub airports. some examples include: air American, Amerijet, emerald, evergreen, express one, great American, horizon air, Midwest express, northern air, pacific air, pacific interstate, southern air, Sunworld, tower, trans air link, trans international. fleets include a wide variety of turbine powered aircraft. Their are approximately 7,000 technicians repairing regional airline aircraft.
4. Corporate aircraft (approximately 1,000 companies nationwide) engaged in transporting company personnel in business type aircraft. some examples include: corporate air inc., executive jet aviation, flight international inc. fleets include a wide variety of business aircraft including Lear jets, citations, etc. there are approximately 9,000 technicians repairing corporate aircraft. 5. Repair stations authorized under far part 145 to perform maintenance, alterations, and required inspections for an air carrier, commercial and general aviation aircraft. May perform maintenance on the entire aircraft, or on individual components of the aircraft. some examples include: aero air, Bertea aviation, Columbia helicopters, engine components, inc., premier jets completion center, Flightcraft, Southern Oregon skyways, evergreen--all in Oregon others outside of Portland include: bf Goodrich aerospace, Timco, Garrett, Dynair.
6. Helicopter operators law enforcement agencies, cities, medical response, utilities, industries, cargo, passenger transport, corporate, etc. some examples include: Alaska, cascade helicopters, western helicopters, life flight, Columbia, and evergreen. fleets include a wide variety of rotary wing (and fixed-wing) aircraft. 7. Manufacturers build aircraft and aircraft parts. Some also perform contract maintenance and overhaul. although an A&P certificate is not normally required to work in aircraft manufacturing, many manufacturers hire A&P mechanics for a variety of related tasks. some examples include: Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Cessna, piper. 8. General aviation fixed based operators (FBOs) at various airports. private aircraft. some examples of light aircraft manufacturers include: Cessna, Beechcraft, piper, commander.
9. Military and other government agencies (state, city, and local) although the A&P certificate is not required by the military and some other government agencies, it does verify a High level of training in Aircraft maintenance. army, air force, naval aviation, (both active duty and reserve), coast guard, national guard, etc. civilian contract opportunities for foreign military and government aircraft.