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Career and Education Opportunities for Aircraft Mechanics in Manchester, New Hampshire

There are many career and education opportunities for aircraft mechanics in the Manchester, New Hampshire area. There are currently 230 working aircraft mechanics in New Hampshire; this should grow 16% to about 270 working aircraft mechanics in the state by 2016. This is better than the nation as a whole, where employment opportunities for aircraft mechanics are expected to grow by about 6.4%. In general, aircraft mechanics diagnose, adjust, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

The income of an aircraft mechanic is about $23 per hour or $49,470 yearly on average in New Hampshire. In the U.S. as a whole, their income is about $24 per hour or $51,390 per year on average. Earnings for aircraft mechanics are better than earnings in the general category of Aircraft in New Hampshire and better than general Aircraft category earnings nationally.

There is one school within twenty-five miles of Manchester where you can study to be an aircraft mechanic, among forty-two schools of higher education total in the Manchester area. Given that the most common education level for aircraft mechanics is a post-secondary certificate, it will take a short time to learn to be an aircraft mechanic if you already have a high school diploma.



Aircraft mechanics read and interpret maintenance manuals and other specifications to establish the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged parts. They also remove or repair worn, faulty, or damaged parts, using hand tools and testing equipment. Equally important, aircraft mechanics have to maintain and rebuild aircraft structures and parts such as wings and fuselage and seals. They are often called upon to assemble and install electrical, plumbing and structural parts and accessories, using hand or power tools. They are expected to examine and inspect aircraft parts, including landing gear and deicers to identify cracks or other problems. Finally, aircraft mechanics measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.

Every day, aircraft mechanics are expected to be able to read and understand documents and reports. They need to control and manipulate objects at a fine level of detail. It is also important that they evaluate problems as they arise.

It is important for aircraft mechanics to inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts and equipment. They are often called upon to examine airframes for wear or other defects. They also measure the tension of control cables. They are sometimes expected to clean and sand structural surfaces and materials to ready them for bonding. Somewhat less frequently, aircraft mechanics are also expected to decide on repair limits for engine hot section parts.

Aircraft mechanics sometimes are asked to modify aircraft structures or parts, following drawings and technical publications. They also have to be able to maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance and listen to operating engines to uncover and diagnose malfunctions such as sticking or burned valves. And finally, they sometimes have to remove and install in-flight refueling stores and external fuel tanks.

Like many other jobs, aircraft mechanics must be thorough and dependable and be reliable.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Manchester include:

  • Avionics Technician. Install, inspect, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.


Nashua Community College - Nashua, NH

Nashua Community College, 505 Amherst St, Nashua, NH 03063-1026. Nashua Community College is a small college located in Nashua, New Hampshire. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 1,925 students. Nashua Community College has an associate's degree program in Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician which graduated eight students in 2008.


Airmen Certification: Include the following areas:

  • Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application for Sport Pilot

Medical Certification:

Certified Lubrication Specialist: Certification recognizes those individuals who possess current knowledge of lubrication fundamentals and theory.



For more information, see the SpaceTEC website.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Manchester, New Hampshire

Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire photo by FSosio




