Aircraft Mechanic

Aircraft Mechanic

Fred Robel

27 Years Experience

Au Gres, MI

Male, 49

I'm a licensed Aircraft Mechanic & Inspector with twenty five-plus years in the field. I've had a varied career so far, with time spent in the sheetmetal, mechanic, and inspection specialties. Most of my time is on heavy Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft, of the passenger, cargo, and experimental type. This career isn't for everyone, but I enjoy it.

Please do NOT ask me to troubleshoot problems with your airplane, that is not what this Q&A is for.

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155 Questions

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Last Answer on July 09, 2022

Best Rated

How big of a divot to a plane's exterior would change its aerodynamics? If I took a hammer and just whacked the top of the wing a few times to dent it slightly, would that render the plane non-airworthy?

Asked by wutang about 13 years ago

Strictly speaking; I don't know.  If you look in the maintenance manual for any given aircraft, you will find limits for dents.  Depth, width, etc.  These would be dents that do not have any structural damage of any other kind associated with them.

So, if you took a hammer and dented the airplane 'slightly' it may or may not be airworthy.

Would it fly?  Probably; because it would take a terrific amount of surface deformation to ruin the aerodynamics completely.

But technically airworthy, is another matter.

The battery on a 1969 Cessna 210 was dead. I charged it overnight. It's a 12 volt system. When I connected it, turned the master on, the starter activated! the prop stared turning, the stall horn blared. the ignition was off! Why did it do this?

Asked by Flyswb about 13 years ago

I have never worked on a Cessna 210 of any vintage.  Sorry it is giving you trouble.

Clearly, something is providing power to the starter solenoid when you turn on the master switch.  Maybe the solenoid is stuck in the 'on' position; or maybe the starter switch/button is shorted to the 'start' position?  It is hard to say.

You need to get out the wiring diagram, or draw one for yourself from a careful inspection of the system.  If a visual turns up no clues; then break out the multimeter, and find out where there is continuity where there should not be any.  

If memory serves, the ignition selector is seperate from the starter button.  So the ignition could be off, and still turn the engine over.  

I have few ideas about the stall horn, I'm just not familiar with the system.

I know that on the big jets I am familiar with; if you advance a certain throttle lever too far, with the flaps up, and your airspeed too low; you will get a warning horn.  

Maybe you have a similar system on this aircraft?  

Sorry I can't be more help.  Good luck, I know you can figure it out!

What do you think are the most realistic plane crash movie scenes?

Asked by evan over 13 years ago

I really can't say. I've never been to a real crash site before. From the pictures I've seen, you usually have one of two scenarios: Either there is nothing but little chunks of metal and debris everywhere, or there are several largish chunks of airplane (sometimes just one bent up airplane if it was really low speed). I do know what isn't very realistic. Having engines running after the crash, is pretty far fetched, such as was seen in the opening scenes of Lost and Cast Away. Maybe I've just avoided most plane crash movies.

Hello Sir,
I'm Naba from India..
I'm 16 years in 10 grade.
I want to become a aircraft mechanical engineer.. So I am planning for my further studies.. Which country/city should I plan to go after I finish my 11th grade?

Asked by Naba nargis about 11 years ago

Naba, as an FAA licensed aircraft mechanic & inspector, who has worked primarily in the Mid-Western USA; I can really only answer you based on that experience.

If you plan on coming to the USA to get your Airframe & Powerplant licenses; I would recommend against large "Mechanic Factories" such as Emery Riddle.  Choose a smaller school program.  My Alma mater is the Lansing Community College aviation technology program, and I liked it very much, and it did not cost too much for a two year degree + my A&P.  I can also recommend the aviation maintenance program up at Northern Michigan University; where you can get your A&P, and stick around for a four year degree as well.  Those would be my personal recommendations.

If you meant going to some other country, then I'm afraid I cannot help you much.  

If you meant becoming an aircraft mechanical engineer, in the respect of being the guy who designs the aircraft; then I'm really really not the guy to give you advice.  I'm a mechanic.  :D

How do they install wifi on an airplane? My phone doesn't get reception at 30,000 feet, and don't they need that signal to make it work?

Asked by MOOAAR over 13 years ago

The system I've seen installed is a satellite based system. A satellite antennae is installed on top of the aircraft, and then a wireless router is located somewhere in the cabin. So no, it doesn't use the same land based signals that your phone uses.

What advice would you give to a young person entering this occupation?

Asked by Adrian over 12 years ago

I would list out several things I kind of wish I'd known when I started.

-Don't expect to get rich!

-Don't immediately go into debt with the tool truck guy.  Believe it or not, your off brand rollaway box, and craftsman tools will work just as good as the preimium brands.

-Vet your spouse (or prospective one) for how he/she feels about you working long hours with little notice; or road trips of uncertain duration at the drop of a hat.  Not every aviation job will entail things like that, so adjust your career accordingly, if you want to stay married.

-Wash your hands often, wear your personal protective gear (rubber gloves, face sheilds, ear protection) always.

-You are not invincible to chemicals or gravity.

-Learn how to find things in your maintenance manuals and IPC's.

-Learn the FAA regs that apply to you and what you are doing.

-Don't break the rules for a paycheck.

-We all started out fresh as a daisy, and knowing about as much.  Don't forget that twenty years from now.

-The airplanes will never love you back.

As a certified aircraft mechanic, do you travel anywhere in the world for free or do you still have to pay for the plane ticket.??

Asked by Kou Yang almost 13 years ago

No, I certainly cannot travel for free anywhere.  I, along with most other mechanics must pay our own way, just like the rest of the public.

Often, if you work for one of the major commercial air carriers, you can get discounts, or fly free on 'standby'.  But, most mechanics do not work for those companies.