A professional who services, repairs, and overhauls aircraft and aircraft engines to ensure airworthiness. Respnsibilities include:

• Repairs, replaces, and rebuilds aircraft structures, such as wings and fuselage, and functional components including rigging, surface controls, and plumbing and hydraulic units, using handtools, power tools, machines, and equipment such as shears, sheet metal brakes, welding equipment, rivet gun, and drills.
• Reads and interprets manufacturers' and airline's maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
• Examines engines for cracked cylinders and oil leaks, and listens to operating engine to detect and diagnose malfunctions, such as sticking or burned valves.
• Inspects turbine blades to detect cracks or breaks.
• Tests engine operation, using testing equipment such as ignition analyzer, compression checker, distributor timer, and ammeter, to locate source of malfunction.
• Replaces or repairs worn or damaged components, such as carburetors, alternators, and magnetos, using handtools, gauges, and testing equipment.
• Removes engine from aircraft, using hoist or forklift truck.
• Disassembles and inspects parts for wear, warping, or other defects.
• Repairs or replaces defective engine parts and reassembles and installs engine in aircraft.
• Adjusts, repairs, or replaces electrical wiring system and aircraft accessories.
• Performs miscellaneous duties to service aircraft, including flushing crankcase, cleaning screens, greasing moving parts, and checking brakes.
• May be required to be licensed by Federal Aviation Administration.
• May service engines and airframe components at line station making repairs, short of overhaul, required to keep aircraft in safe operating condition and be designated airframe-and-power-plant mechanic, line service.
• May service and repair aircraft and engines prior to, during, or after flight to ensure airworthiness, working on flight line of aircraft manufacturing facility, and be designated aircraft-and-engine mechanic, field-and-hangar; flight-line mechanic; mechanic, field-service.
• May specialize in rework, repair, and modification of structural, precision, and functional spare parts and assemblies at manufacturing facility and be designated spares rework mechanic.
• May specialize in engine repair and be designated aircraft-engine assembler; aircraft-engine-cylinder mechanic; aircraft-engine dismantler; aircraft-engine installer; aircraft-engine mechanic; aircraft-engine mechanic, overhaul.
• May be designated: carburetor mechanic; helicopter mechanic; hydraulic tester; ignition specialist; overhaul and repair mechanic; supercharger mechanic.