Innovion Aircraft Certifying Technician

Programme overview:

Aircraft certifying technicians work across the aviation sector, maintaining and certifying aircraft of all types, from small aeroplanes to airliners, jet fighters and helicopters, both civil and military.

As an aircraft certifying technician you’ll carry out approved processes to maintain and certify the airworthiness of aircraft. This includes troubleshooting, rectifying 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. You will be required to obtain an Aircraft Maintenance Licence of equivalent authorisation to carry out this role.

As an aircraft certifying engineer you’ll work in a hangar environment conducting base maintenance, and outside conducting line maintenance activities. In your daily work you’ll interact with flight crew, shift leaders, customers, colleagues and possibly the regulator. You’ll work both individually and as part of a larger team, including carrying out supervisory duties and oversight of work completed.

Key learning outcomes:

Specific specialist knowledge

Understanding mathematical techniques, algebraic expressions, formulae, calculation and physics to understand the theory of flight, aerodynamics and aviation maintenance processes
Understanding the structure, properties and characteristics of materials used in the construction, maintenance and repair of aircraft components, whole structures and sub-assemblies
Understanding the fundamentals of electrical, electronic, digital, analogue, aircraft systems and maintenance practices
Understanding appropriate bonding and assembly techniques, e.g. in composite assembly
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
Human factors and how they affect human performance and aircraft maintenance activities
Fundamentals of aircraft propulsion systems including auxiliary power units
Fundamentals of aircraft flight control systems including hydraulic systems
Fundamentals of aircraft auxiliary systems including undercarriage, doors, cabin interiors, pressurisation and air conditioning
Specialist test equipment used within aircraft maintenance
Fundamentals of methods of aircraft inspection techniques including the identification, control, repair and prevention of damage, fatigue and corrosion
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
Troubleshooting techniques and the use of test equipment and fault analysis tools
Fundamentals of aircraft power and / or electrical power generation systems

Specific Specialist Skills:

Reading, interpreting, explaining and suggesting improvements to engineering data; drawings, specifications, maintenance manuals, computer generated information and aircraft documentation
Safe selection and use of hand and mechanical tools and equipment while carrying out maintenance of aircraft
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
Using, analysing and interpreting the results obtained from test equipment, both mechanical and electronic, while carrying out aircraft maintenance activities
Undertaking, and where appropriate supervising, aircraft functional checks and fault diagnosis
Correct use of ground equipment required in the support of aircraft maintenance
Inspecting, repairing, removing and replacing aircraft major assemblies, components, sub-assemblies and systems.
Applying sealing and jointing techniques in a wide range of applications
Precisely drilling and finishing holes in aircraft assemblies
Communicating effectively within the working environment with a range of stakeholders at different levels
Supporting and encouraging the development of others
Identification, control, repair and prevention of damage, fatigue and corrosion