A strong sense of responsibility that does not tolerate even the smallest mistake, and the ability to perform a wide range of tasks from fastening a single screw to operating a computer with the utmost care and knowledge. A person who is willing to make efforts to learn new technologies, and who is physically strong enough to work day and night.

To ensure safe flight, they inspect, maintain, and repair the engines and fuselage, which are made up of tens of thousands of parts, as well as the seats and equipment on board the aircraft. Before a flight, the appearance of the fuselage, wings, engines, and wheels are inspected, and the various equipment in the cabin and instruments in the cockpit are also checked. If any abnormality is found, the aircraft is repaired or parts are replaced. Only when the person in charge of maintenance, known as a "check mechanic," determines that there are no abnormalities and gives the aircraft permission to fly, can the aircraft take off.
There are three main types of work for an aircraft mechanic: line maintenance, dock maintenance, and store maintenance, each of which has different maintenance locations and maintenance details. Line maintenance is routine work performed on each flight. It is a quick and accurate inspection of the aircraft's exterior and engines during the short period of time between the aircraft's arrival at the airport's parking lot and its departure for the next flight. Dock maintenance is a routine inspection in which the airplane is housed in an airport hangar and every detail is checked over a period of one to two months. Store maintenance is a precision inspection in which the engines, computers, and hydraulic system components that run various parts are removed from the aircraft and disassembled for thorough inspection and maintenance.
Since the loosening of even a small screw can lead to a major accident, aircraft inspection and maintenance requires the utmost care, specialized knowledge, and advanced technology. The responsibility of aircraft mechanics engaged in this work is very heavy. For this reason, it is a very rewarding job.

In order to inspect and maintain aircraft, one must pass an examination administered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and obtain a national certification as an aircraft mechanic. There are five types of qualifications: second class aircraft maintenance technician, second class aircraft maintenance technician, third class aircraft maintenance technician, first class aircraft maintenance technician, and aircraft factory maintenance technician. Each of these qualifications differ in terms of the types of aircraft that can be maintained, and the nature of the maintenance that can be performed. The second class can maintain small aircraft such as Cessna, propeller-driven aircraft, helicopters, and gliders. The first class can maintain aircraft that can be maintained by the second class, large passenger aircraft and large helicopters used by airlines, etc. The second class can maintain aircraft that can be maintained by the first class, large passenger aircraft and large helicopters used by airlines, etc. In addition, an aviation flight mechanic can perform routine inspections performed on the airport tarmac and other areas. Aircraft mechanics can replace engines and repair airframes in hangars. And an aviation factory mechanic is required to perform maintenance on aircraft components such as propellers, engines, instruments, and radios.

There are requirements for age and years of aircraft maintenance experience to sit for the national exam for aircraft mechanics. For the aviation flight maintenance technician, both second and first class, the minimum age is 18 years old with at least two years of maintenance experience. Second class aircraft mechanics must be at least 19 years old and have at least three years of maintenance experience. Aircraft mechanic first class must be at least 20 years old and have at least 4 years of maintenance experience. Aircraft factory mechanics must be at least 18 years old and have at least two years of maintenance experience. If you want to become an aircraft mechanic as early as possible, it is common to go to a vocational school where you can learn specialized knowledge and practical skills. At training facilities designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, students can aim to obtain a second-class aircraft maintenance technician or a second-class or first-class aircraft maintenance technician certification while still in school. Those who have graduated from junior colleges or universities can also qualify for certification by working for an aircraft maintenance company and gaining work experience. There is also another way to qualify as an aircraft mechanic by joining the Self-Defense Forces or the Japan Coast Guard and becoming an aircraft mechanic.

Japan has set a goal of increasing the number of foreign visitors to Japan to 60 million by 2030. The plan is to enhance the functions of Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Chiba's Narita Airport to handle approximately 1 million arrivals and departures per year. The workload of aircraft mechanics will increase dramatically, as all planes arriving at the airports must be serviced in a timely manner and be ready for departure. However, low-cost carriers (LCCs) and regional airlines are still facing a shortage of mechanics. It is necessary to train a large number of airline mechanics as soon as possible. In the future, they may accept foreign personnel to perform inspections and maintenance with international teams of aviation mechanics. Since there will be more opportunities to communicate with foreign airline crews, it would be a good idea to learn English or other foreign languages.

The average annual salary is 4.04 to 4.87 million yen. It varies depending on the company, but in addition to the basic salary, late-night work allowance and holiday pay are added. Maintenance is performed 24 hours a day, so in many cases, workers are required to work in shifts.

It depends on where you work, but generally you get the equivalent of two days off a week. In addition, there are paid vacations.

Airlines, aircraft maintenance companies, government agencies, hospitals, newspapers, television stations, and companies that own small aircraft or helicopters.

It's a chart that shows at a glance the main routes to a job as an aviation mechanic!