Take Flight in the World of Aviation Maintenance!
When people think about aviation, first in their thoughts are airlines and manufacturers, the companies that fly and build aircraft. Not only is that a limited view of a vast and intriguing industry, those aviation sectors cannot exist without maintenance (AVMRO).
Thousands of international companies employ hundreds of thousands of highly-trained individuals who work day and night to keep all types of civil aviation operations safe. Similarly talented people design and build all types of aircraft. Large, fixed-wing airplanes – the kind you find at the end of airport jetways when you travel – are actually a small portion of the aviation industry.
Whatever type of operations are conducted—moving passengers, cargo, individuals, patients, cameras or searching for hurricanes—only certificated “persons” can keep those aircraft flying.
While owners and operators are ultimately responsible, maintenance (as well as design and fabrication work) is often contracted to individuals and repair stations certificated (i.e., licensed) by the Federal Aviation Administration (and other aviation authorities).
Because repair stations, as well as individuals who perform maintenance work, are usually specialized, owners and operators get a better return on investment than performing the work with their own employees.
Since commercial aviation is international, contractors must be able to meet multiple national aviation authority requirements. Airlines that fly from and to America as well as other nations must meet the requirements of their “national” country. That in turn requires maintenance providers to obtain repair station certificates from multiple countries.
Documentary Feature: You Can’t Fly Without Us – The World of Aviation Maintenance
Produced by the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) the film is part of the Leading Edge video series hosted by former football coach and sports broadcaster Jimmy Johnson. It was distributed to public television stations in all 50 states. Take seven minutes to meet the men, women and companies keeping flight safe. Click here to watch the video.
This site, which is managed by the Aeronautical Repair Station Association, is designed to help you understand aviation maintenance better. So what do you want to know?
