Aircraft mechanics have an amazing set of skills. They spend years learning how to maintain and repair airplanes. Their skills can be used for a variety of complex tasks like fixing airplane engines, fuselage, and rocket engines. Have you ever wondered if an aircraft mechanic can fix cars? After all, it would be pretty convenient for them to not have to take their cars to a shop to be fixed. When I look at someone with the skills to repair an airplane, it makes sense to me that he or she would also be able to work on a car. This brings up an interesting question:
Can aircraft mechanics work on and repair cars?
Yes, aircraft mechanics have the technical aptitude and training to do most things that would be required on a car as long as they have the proper tools and documentation. However, if they want to work on cars professionally, they may still have to earn car specific certifications for certain jobs.
In this article we’ll dig deeper to find out more about what this is the case.
Why Can Aircraft Mechanics Do So Much?
In order to become an aircraft mechanic, you have to have an understanding of some of the most advanced engineering in the world. Airplanes have very complex systems that include everything from the engines to the complicated electrical and computer systems needed to help run the plane.
If someone has spent years learning to repair and maintain these pieces of equipment, they will also have many of the skills needed to repair and work on other mechanical devices like cars, trucks, tractors, small engines, and more.
Working as a Mechanic
Although aircraft mechanics can often work on cars with ease, there is a difference between doing it for fun or to fix your own car compared to doing it as a job.
In many cases, working as a professional mechanic for a garage or car dealership is going to require specific training and certifications. These businesses do not allow anyone, regardless of technical know-how to start working on their customers’ cars unless they have completed this training. This is to protect themselves and their customers from someone making a mistake that can lead to damage to a vehicle.
Most aviation maintenance technicians will more than likely be able to complete the necessary training with ease if they wanted to transition into working on cars professionally considering the strong mechanical background they would have from working on airplanes.
Tools Required
Although an aircraft mechanic has the skills necessary to work on cars (along with many other things that have an engine) they will still often need to have the documentation and tools necessary to do the job right.
Many car manufacturers have very specific processes and procedures to diagnose and repair the problem on a car. Some of these issues require the car be hooked up to specific software to test diagnostics and get readings from the car’s computer. While the repair itself could likely be done by an aircraft mechanic with ease, they would still need access to some of these tools to get the job done.
In addition, there are tools that mechanics use every day that are specific to the job. If an aircraft mechanic is going to work on a car, he or she is going to have to have access to some of these tools.
Documentation is Key
Another thing to consider is that due to FAA regulations, everything that an aircraft mechanic does while working on an airplane is documented. This is due to very strict processes and regulations to keep the aviation industry safe for passengers. Tasks that are done by a mechanic to an airplane are often checked and double checked to make sure that there was not an error.
This makes most aviation mechanics very detail oriented and less likely to make a mistake since there is such a focus on taking your time and doing a great job.
Aviation mechanics also have access to very detailed instructions and documentation when working on an airplane. Since airplanes are such complex machines, they use this documentation to make sure they understand exactly what they’re doing. This gives them the skill to follow very complex instructions and schematics. They can then transfer this skill to reading the documentation for other things they might work on, like automobiles.
Conclusion
Aircraft mechanics have an advanced understanding of mechanics, engines, and many other aspects of airplanes. They can apply that same knowledge to many other machines, including cars. Though they would likely need access to certain tools to diagnose and fix some issues, they can likely repair most issues a car would have.
Related Reading
- How long does it take to become an aircraft mechanic?
- How much do aircraft mechanics make?
