Occupation Details
Aviation Inspectors
Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.
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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.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
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
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
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.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$72,850.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$86,020.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$89,450.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
25,590
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
37,210
+1,162 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
5,554
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.5%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous 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.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees 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.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
School Programs information is not available for this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
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.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge 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.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge 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.
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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.
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.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Aircraft Technical Publishers ATP Maintenance Planner
- Angled feeler gauges
- Borescopes
- Coordinate measuring machines CMM
- Desktop computers
- Dial gauges
- Eddy current pencil probes
- Fluorescent penetrant testers
- Hand held magnifiers
- Handheld computers
- Inspection mirrors
- Ladders
- Laptop computers
- Magnetic particle inspection equipment
- Maintenance tracking software
- Micrometers
- Non-destructive inspection NDI robots
- Ohmmeters
- Oscilloscopes
- Output meters
- Personal computers
- Precision rulers
- Pressure gauges
- Protractors
- Scaffolding
- Shearographic equipment
- Tachometers
- Thermographic equipment
- Thread gauges
- Torque wrenches
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Aircraft regulation databases
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Robotic workstation software
- SAP business and customer relations management 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.
- assess staff or applicant skill levels
- operate precision test equipment
- use hand or power tools
- coordinate flight activities with ground personnel
- maintain inspection tools or equipment
- examine vehicle to detect malfunctions, damage, or maintenance needed
- inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
- recommend action to ensure compliance
- recommend purchase, repair, or modification of equipment
- flight test new or altered aircraft
- pilot aircraft
- evaluate training materials
- prepare safety reports
- prepare reports of inspections
- verify investigative information
- compile information on findings from investigation of accidents
- teach individuals work-related techniques or skills
- monitor aircraft operation to detect problems
- monitor repairs or maintenance to enforce standards
- gather physical evidence
- use government regulations
- use aircraft safety regulations
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
- conduct performance testing
- conduct preflight or in-flight tests or checks of aircraft equipment
- inspect commercial vehicles
- inspect transportation equipment for damage or defects
- examine equipment to detect disrepair
- inspect products or systems for regulatory compliance
- perform safety inspections in transportation setting
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Investigate air accidents and complaints to determine causes.
- Examine maintenance records and flight logs to determine if service and maintenance checks and overhauls were performed at prescribed intervals.
- 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.
- Approve or deny issuance of certificates of airworthiness.
- 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.
- Prepare and maintain detailed repair, inspection, investigation, and certification records and reports.
- Examine landing gear, tires, and exteriors of fuselage, wings, and engines for evidence of damage or corrosion and the need for repairs.
- Recommend replacement, repair, or modification of aircraft equipment.
- Start aircraft and observe gauges, meters, and other instruments to detect evidence of malfunctions.
- Examine aircraft access plates and doors for security.
- Analyze training programs and conduct oral and written examinations to ensure the competency of persons operating, installing, and repairing aircraft equipment.
- Conduct flight test programs to test equipment, instruments, and systems under a variety of conditions, using both manual and automatic controls.
- Observe flight activities of pilots to assess flying skills and to ensure conformance to flight and safety regulations.
- Recommend changes in rules, policies, standards, and regulations, based on knowledge of operating conditions, aircraft improvements, and other factors.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics
Do you ever wonder how airplanes fly? How does a pilot control the movement of the airplane? Why are the engines on an airliner different from the engines on a fighter plane? The information at this site is provided by the NASA Glenn Educational Programs Office to give you a better understanding of how aircraft work. Each page at this site describes a single topic related to basic airplane aerodynamics, propulsion, rockets, or kites.
Learn MoreSummer at RPI: The Magical World of Flight
Explore the world of flight and will learn about how objects fly using model airplanes. In addition to designing and building a model airplane, participants will observe wind tunnel and flight tests.
Learn MoreU.S. Space & Rocket Center Aviation Challenge Mach I
Aviation Challenge Mach I is non-stop aviation excitement! Master a high-performance jet fighter and learn the basics of flight dynamics, wilderness survival and teamwork. Experience the same training all fighter and test pilots go through.
Learn MoreU.S. Space & Rocket Center Aviation Challenge Mach II
It takes a special kind of person to fly high performance jets. Are you cool under pressure, focused, intelligent and confident in your abilities? If so, you are the perfect candidate for the Aviation Challenge Mach II program for 12 to 14 year olds!
Learn MoreU.S. Space & Rocket Center Aviation Challenge Mach III
Aviation Challenge Mach III is for those 15-18 year olds who want to take their interest in aviation to another level. This program teaches you land and water survival, the principals of flight, and will allow you to engage in flight simulations & competition!
Learn More