Aircraft Structural Technician is a person who selects, measures, shears, cuts, bends, forms, heat treats, seals, fabricates, fits, inspects, paints and refinishes parts and components to drawing specifications. Drills, countersinks, dimples, reams and taps holes for bolting, screws, riveting and installation of special fasteners. Assembles parts and components and sub-assemblies, using special jigs and fixtures. Uses special tools and tooling for installation of bolts, rivets, screws and special fasteners. Installs completed components in aircraft and inspects and verifies the installation and operation of the components affected using test and measuring equipment as required. Reworks and/or replaces components to rectify damaged or malfunctioning components.



What do these workers do?
(Source: BC Work Futures)

Work closely with other technicians and AMEs. Structural technicians usually work as part of a crew that divides up aircraft overhaul and maintenance jobs amongst the differently skilled technicians. An awareness of the overall maintenance processes allows the technician to make a smooth transition from one task to another.

Treat metals for corrosion. Aircraft alloys are prone to electrolytic and atmospheric corrosion. Careful treatments and repairs are required to restore structural integrity and minimize corrosion problems. Structures engineers and technicians are trained to recognize different types of corrosion and the specific circumstances that cause them.

Bend and form sheet metal. The airframe of an aircraft is its structural skeleton. The exterior of the aircraft is carefully fitted sheet metal, usually aluminum, that can be replaced without major disruption to the integrity of the aircraft.

Fabricate parts from raw material. Repairs to older aircraft can require the fabrication of new pieces, especially skin panels, from raw materials. Fabrication is done on a custom basis and requires precise hand work. Developing excellent hand and eye skills is an important part of becoming a good aircraft structures mechanic.

Select and prepare structural metals. Structural technicians must understand the use of metal alloys in aircraft construction, including such characteristics as the strength and corrosion resistance of each alloy used.

Prepare metal parts for rust treatment and painting. Once in place, aircraft metals need to be treated with special solvents and clear-coat epoxies to preserve them from the elements and from exposure to dissimilar metals, which can lead to corrosion.

Read the full Aircraft Structural Technician Profile (40kb pdf).

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