What skills are required of an A&P's technician?

Being an Airframe and Powerplant technician means being well paid. A&P's have excellent opportunities for career advancement and can work most anywhere in the country. Graduates may specialize or generalize, and work with industry-specific systems and technical equipment. Experienced A&P’s with administrative ability advanced ratings and are selected as supervisors and executives. Others may become FAA inspectors.

A good skills base to become a succesful A&P's mechanic would include the following:

You are comfortable with mechanical, electronic, and hydraulic systems

Remember, A&P's are responsible for all of the aircraft except the flight information systems.

You are a detail-oriented, critical thinker with good problem-solving skills.

Aircraft are much more complex than other machines. You need to know how to get to the root of a problem and find the solution.

You are interested in aviation industry.

It always helps to love what you do.

You are good at multitasking.

A high level of profesionalism is expected of technicians.

You have good communication skills.

Your work protects lives. You need to be able to communcate problems with colleagues and supervisors.

You have a good attention span and focused.

Many tasks require much more than a quick fix.

You enjoy a team environment.

You won't be working alone. In most cases you will form part of a team of similarly qualified profesionals.

You prefer a non-traditional working environment.

Don't expect to work 9-5. It's not that sort of job. Frequently the work is outside and at night. Also you need to be in shape as A&P's spend a lot of time working either up ladders or in small spaces.