If you’re considering a career in aviation maintenance, you may be wondering if this is the right time. The answer is: yes! There are plenty of reasons why students are flocking to flight schools like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and others across the nation. In addition to the growing demand for technical services in general aviation (GA) and commercial airlines, salaries are on the rise while job security remains high due to the shortage of qualified technicians worldwide.
The expected increase in demand for general aviation (GA) services, along with an ongoing need for commercial airline services, provides a unique opportunity for students training in aviation maintenance. The shortage of qualified technicians will likely contribute to increased salaries and benefits while also providing job security. It’s no surprise then that prospective students from around the world are looking into growing opportunities in aviation maintenance as well as aerospace engineering technology (AET).
What does the future look like for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians?
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), more than 12 percent of all aircraft mechanics are eligible to retire by the end of next year and the workforce will depend heavily on an influx of new mechanics to avoid having up to 80 percent of skilled technicians leaving their jobs over the next decade due to retirement. The FAA has predicted that this could leave hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded without proper aircraft maintenance.
Estimates from Boeing, there will be approximately 3,500 job openings per year through 2022 in commercial aviation maintenance. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment opportunities for aircraft maintenance professionals will increase faster than average through 2026 because this field is expected to grow faster than average as a result of strong air travel demand and increased repair spending on aging fleets.
With demand, comes growth!
The demand for flight mechanic schools has grown significantly over the past few years. In 2017, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University had its highest number of applications ever — a total of 16,826 applications from prospective students around the globe. Embry-Riddle expects its enrollment numbers to remain high over time due to worldwide growth in demand for aviation maintenance professionals.
This data shows a bright outlook for aircraft technicians and mechanics who have earned their A&P license through an FAA-approved school like ASI or ATI. The average flight school student costs $15,000-$20,000 per year in tuition and fees while earning an A&P certificate that can be used as credit towards an associate degree with most community colleges or as part of earning a bachelor’s degree through online programs like Liberty University Online. This financial investment will pay off quickly if you’re able to find work after graduation at one of the thousands of major carriers across America!
The future looks bright!
As you can see, the demand for aircraft maintenance technicians is at an all-time high due to increased demand for commercial airline services as well as general aviation (GA) services. The shortage of qualified technicians will likely contribute to increased salaries and benefits while also providing job security. It’s no surprise then that prospective students from around the world are looking into growing opportunities in aviation maintenance as well as aerospace engineering technology (AET).