Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Mechanic Helper

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Mechanic Helper provides hands-on support to licensed aircraft mechanics and maintenance crews performing inspections, repairs, preventive maintenance, and servicing on jet aircraft. This role focuses on safe preparation, movement and handling of aircraft components, routine servicing tasks, tool and parts management, and accurate documentation to ensure airworthiness and efficient turnarounds. Ideal candidates are safety-focused, physically fit, mechanically curious, and eager to progress toward an A&P or licensed aircraft maintenance role.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

High school diploma or GED with aviation-related vocational training or certification.
Military aviation technician or ground crew experience (aircraft maintenance attendant).
Technical school graduate in Aviation Maintenance Technology or Mechanical Technology.

Advancement To:

Licensed Aircraft Mechanic / A&P Technician (airframe & powerplant).
Line Maintenance Technician / Jet Mechanic.
Avionics Support Technician or Structures Technician.
Lead Mechanic, Shift Supervisor, or Maintenance Planner.

Lateral Moves:

Ground Support Equipment Technician
Aircraft Parts/Inventory Coordinator
Sheet Metal or Composite Repair Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist licensed aircraft mechanics and licensed technicians with removal, installation, and replacement of aircraft components, including panels, avionics modules, access covers, and small subassemblies, ensuring proper fasteners and seals are reinstalled and torqued to specification under supervision.
Prepare aircraft for scheduled maintenance and unscheduled repairs by positioning safety equipment, setting chocks, tying down control surfaces, and ensuring personnel and ground safety zones are established and maintained.
Perform routine servicing tasks on jet aircraft such as fueling, defueling, oil and fluid top-ups, hydraulic fluid checks, replenishment of consumables, and replenishment of wheel bearings and other serviceable items under established procedures.
Support engine change and engine run activities by staging tools and hardware, assisting with engine mounts, cowling removal/installation, and helping to connect/disconnect fuel, oil, and bleed air lines under the direction of a certified mechanic.
Remove, wash, inspect for corrosion, and prepare components for overhaul or repair by cleaning seals, applying corrosion-inhibiting compounds, and performing visual inspections using inspection mirrors and borescopes as directed.
Conduct pre- and post-task tool control and shadowboard checks to maintain accountability for hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and specialized aircraft tooling to prevent foreign object debris (FOD) and tool-related damage to aircraft.
Assist with landing gear and wheel/tire servicing, including jacking the aircraft under supervision, removing and installing wheels, inspecting brakes and tires, and supporting brake maintenance procedures while observing safety and lockout/tagout requirements.
Support airframe repairs such as sheet metal patching, rivet installation, and composite layup preparation by measuring, deburring, edge finishing, and holding parts for rivet and fastener installation as part of a repair team.
Help rig and adjust flight control linkages and cables per mechanic instruction, hold components in position for adjustment, and verify movement and travel limits while a licensed technician completes final checks.
Stage, handle, and store hazardous materials and aircraft fluids in compliance with safety data sheets (SDS) and company hazardous materials procedures, ensuring proper labeling, containment, and disposal practices are followed.
Assist with hydraulic and pneumatic system maintenance tasks by draining and replenishing system fluids, replacing filters and seals, and supporting functional checks under direct supervision and while following lockout/tagout procedures.
Support avionics and electrical troubleshooting by pulling wire harnesses, routing cables, placing connectors on bench for testing, and holding components during bench checks under the guidance of avionics technicians.
Perform basic non-destructive inspection (NDI) assistance tasks such as cleaning test areas, applying penetrant or developer coatings under supervision, and documenting inspection findings for review by certified inspectors.
Participate in line maintenance and quick-turn operations during scheduled flight rotations by performing rapid inspections, defect rectification assistance, and operational checks to minimize aircraft on-ground (AOG) time while maintaining safety and quality.
Execute accurate maintenance documentation and logbook updates as directed, including filling out work order forms, tracking part serial numbers, and entering inventory or task status into the maintenance information system for review by licensed staff.
Assist in the recovery, towing, and repositioning of aircraft using tugs and tow bars while following marshalling and ground movement procedures and coordinating with flight operations and ramp control.
Support removal, cleaning, and inspection of environmental control system (ECS) components, including packs, ducts, and filters, by assisting in disassembly, routing, and preparing units for test or overhaul.
Maintain hangar, shop, and work area cleanliness, including FOD walks, waste segregation, spill response, and floor safety marking, to sustain OSHA/ICAO-compliant work environments and reduce foreign object damage risks.
Ensure parts and consumables are issued, returned, and tracked correctly by supporting tool crib operations, performing cycle counts, and staging parts for immediate use during scheduled maintenance checks.
Assist in component testing and bench checks by wiring test harnesses, supporting test equipment setup, and running simple functional tests under the supervision of qualified technicians.
Support quality assurance and compliance by collecting evidence for audits, preparing inspection kits, and participating in shop checks, ensuring that corrective actions and maintenance records meet regulatory standards.
Follow established safety, health, and environmental procedures, report hazards and maintenance discrepancies immediately, and participate in safety briefings and pre-task hazard assessments to reduce risk during maintenance operations.
Provide hands-on training assistance to apprentices and new hires by demonstrating basic shop practices, safe tool usage, and standard operating procedures under the mentorship of senior technicians.

Secondary Functions

Participate in continuous learning and formal training programs to build skills toward A&P licensure, specialized engine or avionics certifications, and company-approved recurrent training.
Assist with inventory management tasks such as barcode scanning, parts reconciliation, and preparing requisitions to support timely repairs and reduce AOG incidents.
Support maintenance planning by staging parts and tools for upcoming checks, compiling job cards, and coordinating with planners to ensure efficient labor sequencing.
Help collect and prepare scrap and salvaged parts for return to stores or reclamation in accordance with company parts control and trim/material handling policies.
Attend and contribute to daily maintenance briefings, safety stand-downs, and shop improvement meetings to surface process improvements and operational efficiencies.
Provide overflow administrative support to the maintenance office by photocopying, filing, uploading maintenance records, and assisting with travel and accommodation coordination for transient technicians.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Practical experience with aircraft hand tools, power tools, torque wrenches, rivet guns, cleco pliers, and pneumatic/hydraulic service equipment as used in commercial and regional jet maintenance.
Basic knowledge of airframe systems (flight controls, landing gear, hydraulics, pneumatics, environmental control, fuel systems) and an ability to follow system schematics under supervision.
Familiarity with jet engine/components handling procedures, cowling removal/installation, and safe practices around high-energy rotating equipment.
Understanding of aircraft maintenance documentation practices, logbook entries, work orders, and basic use of a maintenance information system (MRO/MIS) for task recording.
Tool control and FOD prevention techniques, including shadowboards, tool accountability logs, and FOD walk procedures.
Basic non-destructive inspection (NDT) support techniques: surface prep, penetrant/developer application support, and assisting certified NDI inspectors.
Proficiency with aircraft jacking, wheel and brake servicing, and basic pneumatic/hydraulic servicing under supervision.
Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and airworthiness requirements (FAA, EASA, or country-specific aviation authority) and ability to follow approved maintenance data, task cards, and technical manuals.
Blueprint and wiring diagram reading at an introductory level, including the ability to locate parts, lines, and harnesses per illustrated parts catalogs and wiring schematics.
Familiarity with ground support equipment (GSE) operation basics and safe aircraft towing/marshalling coordination procedures.
Basic computer skills for accessing digital manuals, entering maintenance data, and communicating via internal maintenance platforms and email.
Safe handling and storage of hazardous materials and fuels in accordance with SDS guidelines and company policies.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail to consistently follow maintenance procedures, complete accurate paperwork, and identify potential safety issues.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with licensed mechanics, planners, and operations staff.
Team-oriented mindset with a collaborative approach to supporting multi-disciplinary maintenance teams in fast-paced environments.
Reliability and punctuality — consistent attendance and readiness to respond to shifts, on-call duties, and AOG situations.
Physical stamina and dexterity to lift moderate weights, work in confined spaces, and perform tasks at height or on hydraulic stands.
Problem-solving curiosity and willingness to learn from senior technicians and through hands-on experience.
Safety-first attitude with the ability to participate in risk assessments, follow PPE requirements, and escalate hazards promptly.
Time management and the ability to prioritize tasks during aircraft turnarounds and heavy maintenance windows.
Adaptability to changing schedules, weather conditions, and dynamic operational requirements common in line and base maintenance.
Professionalism and integrity when handling sensitive documentation, part serial numbers, and safety-critical records.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; vocational coursework or certificate in aviation maintenance or mechanical trades preferred.

Preferred Education:

Aviation Maintenance Technician program diploma, Associate in Aviation Maintenance Technology, or completion of an FAA-certifying vocational school.
FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate or equivalent national/EASA certification is advantageous but not always required for helper roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aerospace Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Trades

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0 – 3 years of hands-on mechanical or aviation support experience.

Preferred:

1+ years of experience in aircraft maintenance support, military aviation maintenance, ramp/line maintenance, or an aircraft maintenance apprenticeship.
Demonstrated experience with aircraft safety procedures, tool control, and basic servicing tasks in a hangar or line environment.