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Aviation Inspectors Occupation Detailed Description

Aviation Inspectors career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Aviation Inspectors

The main tasks and work activities of Aviation Inspectors are to inspect aircraft or aircraft components, pilot aircraft, monitor equipment gauges or displays to ensure proper operation, record service or repair activities. In general, for the Aviation Inspectors, critical Thinking, quality Control Analysis, speaking, operation Monitoring and other 14 skills are required.
Aviation Inspectors Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Aviation Inspectors jobs. 2.20% of Aviation Inspectors have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 26.01% of Aviation Inspectors have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
3.07%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
2.20%
Post-Secondary Certificate
26.01%
Some College Courses
13.58%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
55.14%

Tasks and Work Activities of Aviation Inspectors

  • Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, modification, or repair and overhaul of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures.
  • Start aircraft and observe gauges, meters, and other instruments to detect evidence of malfunctions.
  • Examine aircraft access plates and doors for security.
  • Examine landing gear, tires, and exteriors of fuselage, wings, and engines for evidence of damage or corrosion and the need for repairs.
  • Prepare and maintain detailed repair, inspection, investigation, and certification records and reports.
  • Inspect new, repaired, or modified aircraft to identify damage or defects and to assess airworthiness and conformance to standards, using checklists, hand tools, and test instruments.
  • Examine maintenance records and flight logs to determine if service and maintenance checks and overhauls were performed at prescribed intervals.
  • Recommend replacement, repair, or modification of aircraft equipment.
  • Recommend changes in rules, policies, standards, and regulations, based on knowledge of operating conditions, aircraft improvements, and other factors.
  • Investigate air accidents and complaints to determine causes.
  • Observe flight activities of pilots to assess flying skills and to ensure conformance to flight and safety regulations.
  • Conduct flight test programs to test equipment, instruments, and systems under a variety of conditions, using both manual and automatic controls.
  • Approve or deny issuance of certificates of airworthiness.
  • Analyze training programs and conduct oral and written examinations to ensure the competency of persons operating, installing, and repairing aircraft equipment.
  • Schedule and coordinate in-flight testing programs with ground crews and air traffic control to ensure availability of ground tracking, equipment monitoring, and related services.
  • Inspect vehicles or other equipment for evidence of abuse, damage, or mechanical malfunction.
  • Inspect vehicles or equipment to ensure compliance with rules, standards, or regulations.
  • Conduct vehicle or transportation equipment tests, using diagnostic equipment.
  • Inspect repairs to transportation vehicles or equipment to ensure that repair work was performed properly.
  • Prepare reports on investigations or inspections and actions taken.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or PeopleAssessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Inspect aircraft or aircraft components.
  • Pilot aircraft.
  • Monitor equipment gauges or displays to ensure proper operation.
  • Record service or repair activities.
  • Review documents or materials for compliance with policies or regulations.
  • Recommend changes or corrective procedures.
  • Investigate transportation incidents, violations, or complaints.
  • Evaluate performance of applicants, trainees, or employees.
  • Test performance of aircraft equipment.
  • Issue certificates or licenses.
  • Coordinate flight control or management activities.
  • Schedule operational activities.
  • Inspect motor vehicles.
  • Prepare accident or incident reports.
  • Resolve issues affecting transportation operations.
  • Record details of deliveries or shipments.
  • Inspect cargo to ensure it is properly loaded or secured.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
  • Monitor loading processes to ensure they are performed properly.

Skills and Abilities for Aviation Inspectors

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Hearing SensitivityThe ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Integrated maintenance information systemse.g. Aircraft Technical Publishers ATP Maintenance Planner
  • Feeler gaugese.g. Angled feeler gauges
  • Borescope inspection equipmente.g. Borescopes
  • Coordinate measuring machines CMMe.g. Coordinate measuring machines CMM
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Dial indicator or dial gaugee.g. Dial gauges
  • Eddy current examination equipmente.g. Eddy current inspection equipment
  • Eddy current examination equipmente.g. Eddy current pencil probes
  • Liquid penetrant examination equipmente.g. Fluorescent penetrant testers
  • Magnifierse.g. Hand held magnifiers
  • Portable data input terminalse.g. Handheld computers
  • Inspection mirrore.g. Inspection mirrors
  • Ladderse.g. Ladders
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Magnetic particle examination equipmente.g. Magnetic particle inspection equipment
  • Integrated maintenance information systemse.g. Maintenance tracking software
  • Micrometerse.g. Micrometers
  • Pick or place robotse.g. Non-destructive inspection NDI robots
  • Ohmmeterse.g. Ohmmeters
  • Oscilloscopese.g. Oscilloscopes
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Law and GovernmentKnowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.