How to Become an Aircraft Maintenance Manager

Step 1: Understand the job description and responsibilities of an Aircraft Maintenance Manager

What does an Aircraft Maintenance Manager do?

AN Aircraft Maintenance Manager manages engineering tasks involving changes or alterations to designs or specifications of aircraft parts, modules, or systems to ensure calibration and safety. Implements procedures to guide the routine inspection of aircraft components to facilitate optimal and reliable functionality. Being an Aircraft Maintenance Manager oversees the scheduling and timely completion of repairs and maintenance ensuring budget adherence. Reviews documented issues and reports to determine repairability and evaluates recommendations for replacements, repairs, or modifications to ensure conformance with safety standards and performance requirements. Additionally, Aircraft Maintenance Manager evaluates aircraft data and technical documents and researches new technologies to identify areas to improve practices or processes. Develops internal policies and guidelines to ensure compliance with federal aviation regulations and safety standards. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. The Aircraft Maintenance Manager typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. To be an Aircraft Maintenance Manager typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

People's Opinions on Aircraft Maintenance Manager responsibilities

An aircraft maintenance manager looks after everything that has to do with keeping the aircraft in-check and in pristine condition.

02/23/2020: Riverside, CA

An aircraft maintenance manager is the one who directs and oversees all the maintenance services given to an aircraft.

11/30/2019: Rockford, IL

They look after the generators, hydraulics and everything that has to do with an aircraft’s operation.

02/16/2020: Pittsburgh, PA

They make sure that the aircraft is in good running condition.

11/28/2019: Moline, IL

Systems mechanics are the ones who take care of the aircraft doors and how they operate mechanically.

12/02/2019: Nashville, TN
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Step 2: Learn best tips to become an Aircraft Maintenance Manager

Best tips for those who want to become an Aircraft Maintenance Manager

Here are some tips to become an Aircraft Maintenance Manager.

People's Opinions on best tips

The maintenance program engineer does reliability monitoring as a side-job.

02/17/2020: Galveston, TX

Maintenance task escalations / de-escalations.

01/10/2020: Lake Charles, LA

Validate the Supply Status against outstanding discrepancies daily.

01/03/2020: Sioux Falls, SD

Conduct daily maintenance meetings.

02/13/2020: Petaluma, CA

Ensure Functional Check Flights are performed if applicable.

01/12/2020: Hopkinsville, KY
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Step 3: View best colleges and universities for Aircraft Maintenance Manager

Best colleges and universities for Aircraft Maintenance Manager

  • Butler University
  • Carroll College
  • Cooper Union
  • High Point University
  • Princeton University
  • Providence College

Step 4: Think about whether is it worth to be an Aircraft Maintenance Manager

Is being an Aircraft Maintenance Manager Worth it?

People's Opinions on lifestyles

Assigned workload for domestic flights, drop in maintenance, and out of service aircraft.

02/16/2020: Columbia, SC

Review required customer and FAA paperwork to ensure proper maintenance updates and compliance with applicable regulations and customer requirements.

01/02/2020: Trenton, NJ

Prepare and present daily status briefings on all aircraft assigned, to include delivery, man-hour, and budget status.

12/28/2019: Queens Village, NY

Evaluate percentage of total planned man-hours utilized compared to percentage of completion of work by aircraft zone or major work orders to ensure project is on schedule.

02/03/2020: Davenport, IA

Manage the maintenance activities for everything from working and disabled aircraft to ground equipment and structural repair.

12/21/2019: Indianapolis, IN
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Step 5: Prepare relevant skills for being an Aircraft Maintenance Manager

What skills do you need to be an Aircraft Maintenance Manager?

A manager is often judged based on the success of their team and those working below them, as such, many skills are needed.  Success in this role depends on a critical ability in the following: Aircraft Maintenance, Arinc 424, Avionics.  Experience in the following is fundamental to this role: Aviation maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) software.  Skills may vary from job-to-job, but these skills are the ones most commonly associated with this role.

People's Opinions on Aircraft Maintenance Manager skills

One skill that is absolutely necessary when working as an aircraft maintenance manager is proper people management.

12/22/2019: Stockton, CA

A good manager will be able to delegate each department with routine tasks and keep each department efficiently organized.

02/20/2020: Huntington, NY

Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of aircraft maintenance functions.

02/14/2020: San Diego, CA

Experience having worked in an EASA145 environment as Senior Licenced Engineer, Technical Support Engineer or Maintenance Manager or similar is desirable.

12/13/2019: Harrisburg, PA

Admirable experience in supervising maintenance activities of aircraft.

02/03/2020: Hialeah, FL
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Step 6: View average salary for Aircraft Maintenance Manager

How much does an Aircraft Maintenance Manager make?

The average salary range for an Aircraft Maintenance Manager is from $162,291 to $202,667. The salary will change depending on your location, job level, experience, education, and skills.

Salary range for an Aircraft Maintenance Manager
$162,291 to $202,667

Step 7: Find relevant Aircraft Maintenance Manager jobs, and apply.

Looking for Aircraft Maintenance Manager jobs?

Here are some Aircraft Maintenance Manager jobs in the United States.

Search Aircraft Maintenance Manager Jobs in the United States

Step 8: Explore Career Path of Aircraft Maintenance Manager