Will AI Replace Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians?

Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Service and maintain aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities such as flushing crankcases, cleaning screens, and or moving parts.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment, such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, or ammeters.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Reassemble engines following repair or inspection and reinstall engines in aircraft.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Maintain, repair, and rebuild aircraft structures, functional components, and parts, such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, or seals.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Measure the tension of control cables.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Obtain fuel and oil samples and check them for contamination.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Examine engines through specially designed openings while working from ladders or scaffolds, or use hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from an aircraft.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Listen to operating engines to detect and diagnose malfunctions, such as sticking or burned valves.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Remove or cut out defective parts or drill holes to gain access to internal defects or damage, using drills and punches.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Communicate with other workers to coordinate fitting and alignment of heavy parts, or to facilitate processing of repair parts.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Clean engines, sediment bulk and screens, and carburetors, adjusting carburetor float levels.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Install and align repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Accompany aircraft on flights to make in-flight adjustments and corrections.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Spread plastic film over areas to be repaired to prevent damage to surrounding areas.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean, strip, prime, and sand structural surfaces and materials to prepare them for bonding.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Determine repair limits for engine hot section parts.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Disassemble engines and inspect parts, such as turbine blades or cylinders, for corrosion, wear, warping, cracks, and leaks, using precision measuring instruments, x-rays, and magnetic inspection equipment.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Remove, inspect, repair, and install in-flight refueling stores and external fuel tanks.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Trim and shape replacement body sections to specified sizes and fits and secure sections in place, using adhesives, hand tools, and power tools.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Cure bonded structures, using portable or stationary curing equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare and paint aircraft surfaces.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.