Engineering and manufacturing
Aircraft certifying engineer
Maintain and certify aircraft of all types from small aeroplanes to airliners, jet fighters and helicopters, both civil and military.
Summary
This occupation is found in the engineering sector, in the aviation industry.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to maintain and certify aircraft of all types from small aeroplanes to airliners, jet fighters and helicopters, both civil and military. This occupation is found across the aviation sector where certification is essential.
They carry out approved processes to maintain and certify the airworthiness of the aircraft; this includes troubleshooting, the rectification of defects, modifications and scheduled maintenance activities. It involves highly skilled, complex and specialist work in maintaining aircraft systems according to Standard Operating Procedures, using relevant hand tools and equipment. An Aircraft Maintenance Licence or equivalent authorisation will be required to carry out this role. They must be able to research data sources, ensuring that on completion of a task all aircraft documentation is accurately completed and certified. They resolve problems using the approved data, processes and understand the limits of their authority/approval
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for complying with civil and or military regulatory and organisational requirements. They must work both individually and as part of a larger team, including carrying out supervisory duties and oversight of work completed.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with flight crew, shift leaders, customers, colleagues and possibly the regulator.
Aircraft Certifying Engineers work in a hangar environment conducting base maintenance and outside conducting line maintenance activities
Typical job titles include
- Air Engineer | Aircraft Certifying Engineer | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer | Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor | B2 Licenced Engineer | Engineering Manager | Licenced Aircraft Engineer | Licenced Avionics Engineer | Senior Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Mathematical techniques, algebraic expressions, formulae, calculation and physics to understand the theory of flight, aerodynamics and aviation maintenance processes
K2:
Structure, properties and characteristics of materials used in the construction, maintenance and repair of aircraft components, whole structures and sub-assemblies
K3:
Fundamentals of electrical, electronic, digital, analogue, aircraft systems and maintenance practices
K4:
Appropriate bonding and assembly techniques e.g. in composite assembly
K5:
Statutory military and/ or civil air legislation, quality and organisational requirements for aviation safety and occupational health and safety while carrying out aircraft maintenance techniques
K6:
Human Factors and how they affect Human performance and aircraft maintenance activities
K7:
Fundamentals of aircraft propulsion systems including auxiliary power units
K8:
Fundamentals of aircraft flight control systems including hydraulic systems
K9:
Fundamentals of aircraft auxiliary systems including undercarriage, doors, cabin interiors, pressurisation and air conditioning
K10:
Specialist test equipment used within aircraft maintenance
K11:
Fundamentals of methods of aircraft inspection techniques including the identification, control, repair and prevention of damage, fatigue and corrosion
K12:
Hazard and risk management systems to determine critical issues where safety incidents may occur for products and services including Safety Management Systems used within the aviation sector
K13:
Troubleshooting techniques and the use of test equipment and fault analysis tools i.e. Smart troubleshooting trees used in this process
K14:
Fundamentals of aircraft power and / or electrical power generation systems
Technical Educational Products
- ST0019: Aircraft certifying technician (Level 4) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0019
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £44,094 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5234 Aircraft maintenance and related trades
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5234/00 Aircraft maintenance and related trades
- 3112/01 Avionics technicians
- 3113/01 Aerospace technicians
S1:
Read, interpret, explain and suggest improvements to engineering data; drawings, specifications, maintenance manuals, computer generated information and aircraft documentation
S2:
Safe selection and use of hand and mechanical tools and equipment while carrying out maintenance of aircraft
S3:
Complying with and ensuring others comply with statutory military and/ or civil air legislation, quality and organisational requirements for aviation safety and occupational health and safety while carrying out aircraft maintenance techniques
S4:
Use, analyse and interpret the results obtained from test equipment, both mechanical and electronic while carrying out aircraft maintenance activities
S5:
Undertake and where appropriate supervise aircraft functional checks and fault diagnosis e.g. electrical bonding and earthing; flight control rigging and adjustment
S6:
Correct use of ground equipment required in the support of aircraft maintenance
S7:
Inspect, repair, remove and replace aircraft major assemblies, components, sub-assemblies and systems. To include the Identification and installation of mechanical fasteners, measuring and marking out and the selection of the correct materials
S8:
Apply sealing and jointing techniques in a wide range of applications
S9:
Precisely drill and finish holes in aircraft assemblies
S10:
Communicate effectively within the working environment with a range of stakeholders at different levels
S11:
Support and encourage the development of others
S12:
Identification, control, repair and prevention of damage, fatigue and corrosion
Technical Educational Products
- ST0019: Aircraft certifying technician (Level 4) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0019
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £44,094 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5234 Aircraft maintenance and related trades
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5234/00 Aircraft maintenance and related trades
- 3112/01 Avionics technicians
- 3113/01 Aerospace technicians
B1:
Strong work ethic: motivated, proactive, committed
B2:
Dependability and responsibility: punctual, reliable
B3:
Positive attitude: constructive thinking, motivated to succeed, committed to equality and diversity, environmental, social and economic sustainability, safety mind-set
B4:
Team player: able to work and interact effectively within a team
B5:
Promote effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication
B6:
Adaptability: able to adjust to change
B7:
Honesty and integrity: truthful, sincere and ethical
B8:
Self-motivation: self-starter, able to make appropriate decisions and lead their own professional development
B9:
Personal commitment: prepared to make a personal commitment to the industry
B10:
Leadership: delivers reliable and dependable results in work outputs, quality, work ethics and self-development, as well as encouraging and supporting the development of others
B11:
Accountability: follows the specified company procedures and controls and be responsible for their monitoring review and development
B12:
Reflective: reflects on current and past performance and provides information and recommendations for improvements in planning, delivery of working practices as well as training and development
B13:
Demonstrate due consideration of human factors in performing aircraft maintenance activities
Technical Educational Products
- ST0019: Aircraft certifying technician (Level 4) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0019
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £44,094 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5234 Aircraft maintenance and related trades
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5234/00 Aircraft maintenance and related trades
- 3112/01 Avionics technicians
- 3113/01 Aerospace technicians
