AIRCRAFT TECHNICIANS

When Matthew Pelley joined IMP Aerospace six years ago as an aircraft maintenance engineer, he hoped the job would offer steady employment and an opportunity to use exercise his natural curiosity about how things work.

In a recent interview, he said it has turned out to be much more. He said he has climbed the ranks, doubled his initial salary and been given challenges he never would have dreamed possible after graduating from community college in Newfoundland.

"The opportunities are endless in aerospace right now," said Mr. Pelley, a rotary wing production manager. "There's a real opportunity for people to stay in Atlantic Canada and be paid sensibly."

With aviation contractor General Dynamics setting up in Shearwater, IMP continuing to land multimillion-dollar international contracts and Halifax International Airport serving as the centre of maintenance repair in Atlantic Canada, he said anyone with a mechanical inclination and an ability to follow directions precisely should consider a career in aviation maintenance.

"But you have to be comfortable with technology and prepared to be continuously learning, because the technology is constantly evolving," he said.

Although knowing how to be a team player is important, Mr. Pelley said aircraft maintenance engineers are seen as loners, so they need to be able to analyze problems, pay attention to detail and make decisions independently.

For more detail on the profession, read on.

NATURE OF THE WORK
Aircraft technicians maintain and repair aircraft structures and mechanical systems. They troubleshoot these systems to identify problems, and adjust and repair systems according to specifications and established procedures.

They also dismantle airframes and aircraft engines for repair or overhaul and then reassemble them. Aircraft inspectors inspect structural and mechanical systems of aircraft and certify that the systems meet standards of performance and safety.

Nova Scotia's aviation industry focuses on maritime aviation, composition fabrication and electronic assemblies.

SKILLS
This work requires excellent spatial and form perception, agility and co-ordination. You must be physically fit and have good eyesight and hearing. The ability to follow instructions and perform with a high degree of accuracy is essential. An interest in electronics, machine work and general mechanics is helpful.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Licensed aircraft maintenance engineers are representatives of the minister of transport and have exclusive authority to sign maintenance releases attesting to the integrity of aircraft, aircraft systems and their components.

The aircraft maintenance engineer.s licensing system differentiates between specialized areas with licence category designators, such as M (maintenance), E (avionics, or electronics), S (structures) and P (propulsion systems).

To qualify for a licence, you must complete an approved basic training course, a specified apprenticeship period and a Transport Canada regulations exam.

WORK PROSPECTS
Demand is tied to the strength of the aerospace industry in Nova Scotia, which is expected to experience steady growth in the coming years. With an expanding, more complex fleet, aging aircraft and mounting regulations, aviation maintenance activity is expected to expand in the next 20 years. Due to growth projections for the industry and its aging workforce, employment prospects are rated as good in the coming years.

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