Occupation Details
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$35,170.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$49,500.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$57,780.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
52,050
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
56,560
+451 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
6,307
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adhesive application robots
- Alligator jaw compression riveters
- Anti-vibration gloves
- Arc welding equipment
- Assembly robots
- Autoriveters
- Beading tools
- Bearing installation tools
- Bearing staking tools
- Blind rivet guns
- Brazing equipment
- Burring tools
- C-yoke compression riveters
- Cable cutters
- Case wrenches
- Desktop computers
- Dial calipers
- Drafting templates
- Electrochemical etching devices
- First assembly jigs
- Flange wrenches
- Flaring tools
- Fuel control wrenches
- Gear shaft wrenches
- Hand clamps
- Input wrenches
- Line reamers
- Material guiding jigs
- Metal bending equipment
- Metal bucking bars
Technology
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Electrical power management system software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Word
- Spreadsheet software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- adjust or set mechanical controls or components
- align or adjust clearances of mechanical components or parts
- align or adjust clearances of vehicle body parts or components
- test mechanical products or equipment
- repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
- lubricate machinery, equipment, or parts
- position, align, or level machines, equipment, or structures
- install equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures
- lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
- apply cleaning solvents
- build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
- move or fit heavy objects
- identify properties of metals for repair or fabrication activities
- understand service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- identify base metals for welding
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- make independent judgment in assembly procedures
- signal directions or warnings to coworkers
- use basic plumbing techniques
- use knowledge of metric system
- use spot or tack welding techniques
- file, sand, grind, or polish metal or plastic objects
- apply protective coating to products
- cut metal or plastic
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- stretch, bend, straighten, shape, pound, or press metal or plastic
- attach or mark identification onto products or containers
- examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
- read blueprints
- read specifications
- read schematics
- read technical drawings
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- fabricate aircraft parts
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- use hand or power tools
- set up and operate variety of machine tools
- use pneumatic tools
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- solder metal parts or components together
- braze metal parts or components together
- use soldering equipment
- use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
- Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements, using sighting devices and hand tools.
- Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
- Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
- Join structural assemblies, such as wings, tails, or fuselage.
- Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points.
- Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
- Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.
- Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.
- Layout and mark reference points and locations for installation of parts or components, using jigs, templates, or measuring and marking instruments.
- Fabricate parts needed for assembly or installation, using shop machinery or equipment.
- Assemble prototypes or integrated-technology demonstrators of new or emerging environmental technologies for aircraft.
- Swage fittings onto cables, using swaging machines.
- Manually install structural assemblies or signal crane operators to position assemblies for joining.
- Align, fit, assemble, connect, or install system components, using jigs, fixtures, measuring instruments, hand tools, or power tools.
- Clean, oil, or coat system components, as necessary, before assembly or attachment.
- Assemble prefabricated parts to form subassemblies.
- Set up or operate machines or systems to crimp, cut, bend, form, swage, flare, bead, burr, or straighten tubing, according to specifications.
- Place and connect control cables to electronically controlled units, using hand tools, ring locks, cotter keys, threaded connectors, turnbuckles, or related devices.
- Monitor robotic assembly equipment, such as snake-arm robots, used to assemble, seal, or swage aircraft structures.
- Install mechanical linkages and actuators, using tensiometers to verify tension of cables.
- Clean aircraft structures, parts, or components, using aqueous, semi-aqueous, aliphatic hydrocarbon, or organic solvent cleaning products or techniques to reduce carbon or other harmful emissions.
- Install accessories in swaging machines, using hand tools.
- Mark identifying information on tubing or cable assemblies, using etching devices, labels, rubber stamps, or other methods.
- Verify dimensions of cable assemblies or positions of fittings, using measuring instruments.
- Weld tubing and fittings or solder cable ends, using tack welders, induction brazing chambers, or other equipment.
- Splice cables, using clamps and fittings, or reweave cable strands.
- Fit and fasten sheet metal coverings to surface areas or other sections of aircraft prior to welding or riveting.
- Capture or segregate waste material, such as aluminum swarf, machine cutting fluid, or solvents, for recycling or environmentally responsible disposal.
- Cut cables and tubing, using master templates, measuring instruments, and cable cutters or saws.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Assemblers and fabricators
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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