How to become an aircraft maintenance and related trades

Official title: Aircraft maintenance and related trades

Also called: Aircraft fitter, Maintenance man, Maintenance hand, Aircraft engineer, Aircraft mechanic, Maintenance fitter, Aircraft electrician, Maintenance engineer, Aircraft refurbisher, Aircraft engine fitter, Aircraft support fitter, Aircraft engine dismantler

Aircraft maintenance and related trades fit, service, repair and overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies. Licensed aircraft engineers are coded to Unit Group 3113.

Main tasks

• Examines drawings, manuals and specifications to determine appropriate methods and sequence of operations
• Fits and assembles parts and/or metal sub-assemblies to fine tolerances to make aircraft engines
• Replaces engine components or complete engines, installs and tests electrical and electronic components and systems in aircraft
• Examines and inspects airframes and aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and de-icers to detect wear, cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems
• Maintains, repairs and rebuilds aircraft structures, functional components, and parts
• Maintains comprehensive repair logs

How to become one

Entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades or a BTEC/SQA award. Apprenticeships in Engineering Maintenance at level 3 are available. NVQs/SVQs are available at level 2 and 3.

Ways in

• Apprenticeship (England): Aviation maintenance mechanic (level 2). England. Typically 18 months. Skills England standard ST0014.

Pay · Outlook

• Median full-time pay: £45,779 a year The middle half earn £36,379 to null.
• About 29,900 people work in this job now, and about 28,200 are projected by 2035. (-5.6%)

Related jobs

• Boat and ship builders and repairers
• Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians
• Vehicle body builders and repairers
• Vehicle paint technicians
• Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers

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Questions people ask

How do I become an aircraft maintenance and related trades?

Entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades or a BTEC/SQA award. Apprenticeships in Engineering Maintenance at level 3 are available. NVQs/SVQs are available at level 2 and 3.

How much does an aircraft maintenance and related trades earn in the UK?

Median full-time pay is £45,779 a year (Office for National Statistics).

Is an aircraft maintenance and related trades a growing career in the UK?

Employment is projected to fall 6% by 2035, from about 29,900 to about 28,200 people (Department for Education).

Do you need a degree to become an aircraft maintenance and related trades?

Not always. 30% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Aviation maintenance mechanic (level 2).

Sources

• Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03