6 free templates for FBOs, repair stations, and small shops, with the FAA, drug-testing, and FLSA guidance generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
Hiring an aircraft mechanic is not like hiring a general mechanic. The role is regulated work: it requires a valid FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate, it is usually subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing, and despite the skill it demands, it is generally non-exempt and overtime-eligible. Most job description templates online skip all three, written for large airlines rather than the FBOs, repair stations, and general aviation shops where most small employers actually hire. This page covers the role properly, with templates by setting and level and the FAA and labor details built in.
At FirstHR, we build onboarding for small aviation employers hiring without an HR department, where the owner or director of maintenance writes the posting. The six templates below cover a standard mechanic, a small-employer FBO version, an A&P generalist, an entry-level AMT, a senior mechanic with Inspection Authorization, and a helicopter role. Each is ready to use. Fill in the brackets and post, and the guide to writing a job description covers the fundamentals.
TL;DR
An aircraft mechanic inspects, maintains, and repairs aircraft to FAA standards. The role requires a valid FAA A&P certificate (14 CFR Part 65), is usually subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing (14 CFR Part 120), and is generally non-exempt and overtime-eligible. The federal occupation reports a median of $78,680 (May 2024), with the FBO and repair-station segment closer to $66,960. Download six templates as DOCX.
What Is an Aircraft Mechanic?
An aircraft mechanic inspects, maintains, and repairs aircraft and aircraft systems to FAA standards. The core work is scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, troubleshooting, repairing or replacing parts, and documenting everything accurately, since maintenance records are both a safety and a compliance requirement. It is a skilled, safety-critical trade where the quality of the work directly affects flight safety.
The federal occupation is aircraft mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3011), which the BLS groups with avionics technicians. Two things shape the posting most: the FAA certification and compliance the role carries, and the setting, since a small FBO hires differently than an airline. The six templates split by role and level so the document matches the real job, with the FAA and labor requirements built in rather than glossed over.
Aircraft Mechanic Duties and Responsibilities
Aircraft mechanic duties cluster into four areas: inspection and maintenance, repair and troubleshooting, records and compliance, and safety and shop. A strong job description picks the specific responsibilities from each area that match the role rather than listing every possible task. These are the duties grouped the way the templates use them.
Inspection and maintenance
Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance
Inspect airframes, engines, and systems
Perform overhauls and component replacements
Repair and troubleshooting
Troubleshoot mechanical and system issues
Repair or replace worn and defective parts
Use hand tools, power tools, and test equipment
Records and compliance
Complete maintenance records and sign-offs
Follow FAA regulations and airworthiness directives
Apply manuals, drawings, and service bulletins
Safety and shop
Maintain a clean, FOD-free work area
Follow safety and hazardous-material procedures
Handle and track parts and materials
The emphasis shifts by role: an entry-level AMT works under supervision, a senior mechanic with IA signs off inspections, and a helicopter mechanic focuses on rotor systems. For a structured way to scope the role, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by role and level. The inspect-maintain-repair core and the FAA requirements run through all six, but each one emphasizes the ratings, seniority, and setting that fit a specific kind of mechanic. Use this guide to choose the closest fit, then adjust.
Aircraft Mechanic (Standard)
Most operations
The core version: inspect, maintain, and repair aircraft to FAA standards, with the A&P certificate and drug-testing requirements built in. Start here.
Small Aviation Employer / FBO
FBOs, GA shops, repair stations
For a small operation hiring one of a few mechanics, with an honest note on overtime and operation-specific drug-testing rules.
Airframe & Powerplant (A&P)
Both ratings
For a generalist holding both Airframe and Powerplant ratings: structures and engines, inspections, and overhauls to FAA standards.
AMT (Entry-Level)
Growing into the role
For an entry-level technician or recent Part 147 graduate: assist and learn under certificated mechanics, with a path to independent work.
Senior / Lead with IA
Inspection Authorization
For an experienced mechanic with Inspection Authorization: lead complex work, sign off annual inspections and major repairs, and mentor the team.
Helicopter / Rotorcraft
Rotary-wing
For rotorcraft work: rotor systems, drivetrains, and rotary-wing-specific maintenance, on the same A&P foundation.
Match the Template to the Role
A typical operation: Standard. A small FBO, GA shop, or repair station: Small Aviation Employer. A both-ratings generalist: Airframe & Powerplant. An entry-level or recent Part 147 graduate: AMT. An experienced mechanic who signs off inspections: Senior / Lead with IA. Rotary-wing work: Helicopter / Rotorcraft. Every version states the A&P certificate and drug-testing requirement, and treats the role as non-exempt.
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: company summary, job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications with the FAA certificate and drug-testing requirements, the classification, pay, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
Standard, small employer, A&P, entry-level AMT, senior with IA, and helicopter. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Aircraft Mechanic (Standard)
The core version: inspect, maintain, and repair aircraft to FAA standards, with the A&P certificate and drug-testing requirements built in. Start here.
Aircraft Mechanic Job Description (Standard)
AIRCRAFT MECHANIC JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: __ (Director of Maintenance / Shop Lead)
[Company Name] is hiring a certificated Helicopter / Rotorcraft Mechanic to
inspect, maintain, and repair our rotary-wing aircraft. You will work on rotor
systems, drivetrains, engines, and airframes, and keep our helicopters safe and
airworthy to FAA standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Inspect, maintain, and repair rotorcraft systems
•Service rotor systems, transmissions, and drivetrains
•Perform scheduled inspections and unscheduled repairs
•Troubleshoot rotary-wing-specific issues
•Complete maintenance records and sign-offs accurately
•Follow FAA regulations, manuals, and service bulletins
•Use specialized rotorcraft tools and test equipment
•Maintain a safe, clean, FOD-free work area
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Valid FAA A&P certificate per 14 CFR Part 65
•Rotorcraft maintenance experience [or willingness to train]
•Knowledge of rotor systems and rotary-wing maintenance
•Strong troubleshooting and documentation skills
•Subject to DOT/FAA pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing
per 14 CFR Part 120 and 49 CFR Part 40
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay: $_ per hour [+ benefits]
To apply, send your resume and A&P certificate details to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
FAA, Drug Testing, and FLSA
This is the part generic aircraft mechanic templates skip, and it is the part that matters most: the FAA certification the role requires, the DOT drug and alcohol testing that applies at covered operators, and the FLSA classification that surprises employers. Get these right and your posting attracts qualified candidates and protects your operation.
FAA A&P certificate: the core requirement
Aircraft maintenance is regulated work, and the central qualification is a valid FAA mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings under 14 CFR Part 65. Earning it requires either at least eighteen months of practical experience for a single rating or thirty months concurrent for both, or graduation from an FAA-approved Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School, plus passing written, oral, and practical tests. Your job description should state the A&P certificate as a hard requirement and name the ratings you need, since this is the credential that separates a qualified candidate from a general mechanic. Naming Part 65 explicitly signals that you understand the role. This is general information, not legal advice.
Inspection Authorization (IA): for sign-off authority
An Inspection Authorization is an add-on to the A&P certificate that lets a mechanic perform annual inspections and approve major repairs and alterations for return to service. It requires holding an A&P for at least three years with two years of active recent experience, and it is what your senior or lead role likely needs if that person will sign off inspections. Decide whether a posting requires an IA or just an A&P, since requiring an IA narrows the candidate pool significantly and should be reserved for roles that actually need sign-off authority. This is general information, not legal advice.
Drug and alcohol testing: often mandatory
Aircraft maintenance and preventive maintenance are safety-sensitive functions under 14 CFR Part 120 and 49 CFR Part 40, which means mechanics at covered operators are subject to a DOT drug and alcohol testing program. This applies to Part 121 and 135 carriers and to Part 145 repair stations that elect a program, and it covers pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing. Marijuana remains prohibited regardless of state law. State the testing requirement in the posting so candidates know, and build pre-employment testing into onboarding before the first day. This is general information, not legal advice.
FLSA: aircraft mechanics are usually non-exempt
Despite the skill the job demands, an aircraft mechanic is generally non-exempt and entitled to overtime. Courts have held that routine mechanical work does not qualify for the learned professional exemption, and manual or blue-collar workers cannot be made exempt under the white-collar rules regardless of pay. There are narrow wrinkles, such as Railway Labor Act coverage for certain Part 121 and 135 carriers, but the default for most small operators is non-exempt and overtime-eligible. Track hours and pay overtime above 40 in a week, and confirm your situation with labor counsel given the operation-specific rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
A Regulated, Non-Exempt Role
Aircraft maintenance requires a valid FAA A&P certificate under 14 CFR Part 65, and at covered operators the mechanic is subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing under 14 CFR Part 120 and 49 CFR Part 40, since maintenance is a safety-sensitive function. The role is also generally non-exempt under the FLSA white-collar exemptions, because routine mechanical work does not meet the professional exemption. This is general information, not legal advice.
For the classification rules, the exempt versus non-exempt guide and the Fair Labor Standards Act overview explain why a skilled trade like this is still overtime-eligible. Because the rules vary by operation type, confirm your obligations with aviation and labor counsel.
Certificates and Requirements
The qualifications for an aircraft mechanic center on the FAA certificate and demonstrated experience, with the specific ratings and authorizations scaled to the role. Here is what to list.
Requirement
What to look for
Certificate
Valid FAA A&P certificate per 14 CFR Part 65
Ratings
Airframe, Powerplant, or both, as the role requires
Inspection Authorization
Required only for roles that sign off inspections
Experience
Scaled to the level; entry-level can be Part 147 graduate
Drug testing
Subject to DOT/FAA testing where the operation is covered
Classification
Non-exempt, overtime-eligible for most operators
Keep the posting neutral and inclusive, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Aircraft Mechanic Pay
Aircraft mechanics are well paid for a skilled trade, with pay varying by operation type and experience. Set your range using government data as a baseline, then adjust for your segment and local market.
Median $78,680 a Year (BLS)
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians had a median annual wage of $78,680 as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest 10 percent under $47,790 and the highest 10 percent over $120,080, and national employment around 139,400 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The support-activities segment that includes FBOs and repair stations reported a median closer to $66,960, while airlines pay more. Entry-level roles commonly start near $45,000 to $55,000.
Because the role is non-exempt, overtime applies above 40 hours a week, which can add meaningfully to pay. The combined aircraft and avionics group is projected to grow about 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average, with roughly 13,100 openings a year, so a competitive, transparent range helps a small employer compete for certificated mechanics. Set your range to your operation type, and post a range where required.
Hiring for a Small Aviation Employer
The largest segment of mechanic employers is support activities for air transportation, which is where FBOs, repair stations, and general aviation shops live, and that is where small business concentrates. These employers face three things the big-airline templates ignore: the templates are not written for them, the FAA and DOT compliance is easy to understate, and a regulated hire means certificates and records to manage. Here is how to handle all three.
Generic templates ignore the small aviation employer
Most aircraft mechanic job descriptions online are generic and written with large airlines and major maintenance organizations in mind. The biggest segment of mechanic employers is actually support activities for air transportation, which includes the FBOs, independent repair stations, and general aviation shops where small business is concentrated. A family-owned FBO or a small Part 145 repair station with a handful of mechanics hires differently than an airline: the owner or director of maintenance writes the posting, the mechanic works across many aircraft types, and there is no HR department behind the process. The Small Aviation Employer template above is written for exactly this, which is the gap the big-template sites leave open.
The FAA and DOT compliance is real and easy to understate
Aircraft maintenance is regulated work, and a job description that only says FAA certification misses what matters. The role requires a valid A&P certificate under 14 CFR Part 65, and at covered operators the mechanic is subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing under 14 CFR Part 120 and 49 CFR Part 40, since maintenance is a safety-sensitive function. On top of that, the role is generally non-exempt and overtime-eligible, which surprises employers who assume a skilled trade is automatically salaried. Stating the certificate, the testing, and the classification clearly in the posting sets accurate expectations and protects your operation. Because the rules vary by operation type, confirm yours with aviation and labor counsel.
A regulated hire means certificates and records to manage
Hiring a mechanic brings real recordkeeping: the A&P certificate and any IA, the offer with the correct non-exempt classification, the I-9 and tax forms, drug-testing enrollment before the start date, and FAA-required training and maintenance records over time. FirstHR fits this people side for a small aviation employer without an HR department: e-signature for the offer letter, document management for A&P and IA certificates and signed forms, task workflows for pre-employment steps like drug-testing enrollment and system access, and training assignments for onboarding. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a maintenance-tracking or FAA-records system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those providers. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same document becomes the basis for the offer and a compliance-heavy onboarding, since this hire brings a certificate to verify, drug testing to arrange, and records to keep. The I-9 documentation and tax forms are part of the same first step, and a preboarding process handles the steps that must happen before day one.
Send the offer
Confirm the role, pay, schedule, and start date in writing, with the non-exempt classification. An offer letter template makes this fast.
Run pre-employment steps
The I-9, tax forms, and DOT/FAA pre-employment drug testing where required, completed before the first day.
Verify and store certificates
Confirm and store the A&P certificate and any IA, plus signed acknowledgments, organized and ready for FAA recordkeeping.
Train and document
Onboard on shop procedures, safety, and FAA-required training, and keep records organized as the mechanic ramps up.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives the new hire a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, paperwork, e-signatures, certificate storage, and the onboarding workflow in one place so a small aviation employer can manage the full process, including A&P certificate document management and pre-employment steps, from one system. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a maintenance-tracking or FAA-records tool, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
An aircraft mechanic inspects, maintains, and repairs aircraft to FAA standards; the BLS groups the role under aircraft mechanics and service technicians.
The role requires a valid FAA A&P certificate under 14 CFR Part 65; require an Inspection Authorization only for roles that sign off inspections.
Maintenance is a safety-sensitive function, so mechanics at covered operators are subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing under 14 CFR Part 120.
Despite the skill, the role is generally non-exempt and overtime-eligible; routine mechanical work does not meet the professional exemption.
The federal occupation reports a median of $78,680 (May 2024), with the FBO and repair-station segment closer to $66,960.
Use the template that fits the role: standard, small employer, A&P, entry-level AMT, senior with IA, or helicopter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an aircraft mechanic do?
An aircraft mechanic inspects, maintains, and repairs aircraft and aircraft systems to keep them safe and airworthy. Day to day, that means performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, troubleshooting mechanical and system problems, repairing or replacing worn and defective parts, completing maintenance records and sign-offs, and following FAA regulations, manuals, and airworthiness directives. The work covers airframes, engines, and related systems, and it requires precision tools, test equipment, and careful documentation. The exact focus varies: an A&P generalist works across structures and engines, a helicopter mechanic handles rotor systems and drivetrains, and a senior mechanic with Inspection Authorization signs off annual inspections and major repairs. Across all of them, the job is safety-critical and heavily regulated, since the quality of the work directly affects flight safety.
What certification does an aircraft mechanic need?
The core credential is a valid FAA mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, commonly called an A&P certificate, issued under 14 CFR Part 65. To earn it, a candidate needs either at least eighteen months of practical experience for a single rating or thirty months of concurrent experience for both, or graduation from an FAA-approved Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School, plus passing written, oral, and practical exams. Some roles also require an Inspection Authorization, an add-on that allows a mechanic to perform annual inspections and approve major repairs, which requires holding an A&P for at least three years with recent active experience. When you write the job description, state the A&P certificate as a hard requirement and only require an IA if the role genuinely needs sign-off authority. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is an aircraft mechanic exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
An aircraft mechanic is generally non-exempt and entitled to overtime. Despite the skill and certification the job requires, courts have held that routine mechanical work does not qualify for the learned professional exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and manual or blue-collar workers cannot be classified as exempt under the white-collar rules no matter how much they earn. That makes the default for most small operators non-exempt, meaning overtime pay applies for hours over 40 in a workweek. There are narrow exceptions tied to operation type, such as Railway Labor Act coverage for certain airline carriers, but a small FBO, repair station, or Part 91 operation should generally treat the role as non-exempt. Track hours, pay overtime, and confirm your specific situation with labor counsel. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do aircraft mechanics have to take drug and alcohol tests?
Usually yes, at covered operators. Aircraft maintenance and preventive maintenance are classified as safety-sensitive functions under 14 CFR Part 120 and 49 CFR Part 40, which means mechanics at covered employers are subject to a DOT drug and alcohol testing program. This applies to Part 121 and Part 135 carriers, and to Part 145 repair stations that elect to implement a program. The program covers pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing, and marijuana remains prohibited regardless of state legalization. Employers must maintain a written policy, train supervisors, and educate employees. State the testing requirement clearly in the job description, and build pre-employment testing into onboarding before the first day. Confirm whether your operation is covered with aviation counsel. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does an aircraft mechanic make?
Aircraft mechanics are well paid for a skilled trade. The federal occupation, aircraft mechanics and service technicians, had a median annual wage of about 78,680 dollars as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest 10 percent earning under 47,790 dollars and the highest 10 percent over 120,080 dollars. National employment is around 139,400. Pay varies by employer type: airlines and express carriers pay more, while the support-activities segment that includes FBOs and repair stations reported a median closer to 66,960 dollars, and entry-level roles commonly start in the 45,000 to 55,000 dollar range. Because the role is non-exempt, overtime applies above 40 hours a week, which can add meaningfully to take-home pay. Set your range using current local data for your operation type and the experience and certifications you need.
What is the difference between an A&P mechanic and an avionics technician?
They are related but distinct roles. An A&P mechanic holds an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate and works on the aircraft's structures, engines, and mechanical systems, performing inspections, repairs, and overhauls. An avionics technician specializes in the aircraft's electronic systems, such as navigation, communication, radar, and instruments, and is a separate occupation with its own federal classification and often a different credential, including an FCC license for certain work. In a small shop one person may cross over, but the core skill sets differ: A&P is mechanical and structural, avionics is electronic. When hiring, decide which you actually need, since a posting that asks for both deep A&P and deep avionics expertise in one person narrows your pool sharply. This page focuses on the A&P mechanic role.
What qualifications and skills should an aircraft mechanic have?
Beyond the FAA A&P certificate, a strong aircraft mechanic has solid hands-on maintenance experience, the ability to read and apply manuals, drawings, and FAA regulations, strong troubleshooting skills, and careful, accurate recordkeeping, since maintenance documentation is both a safety and a compliance requirement. Mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a safety-first mindset matter throughout. For an entry-level technician, a Part 147 school background or an A&P in progress with mechanical aptitude can be enough, with mentorship to build experience. For a senior or lead role, look for years of experience, an Inspection Authorization, and the ability to mentor others and own quality. Rotorcraft, turbine, or specific aircraft-type experience is valuable where relevant, but the A&P certificate and demonstrated judgment are the foundation.
What should an aircraft mechanic job description include?
A strong aircraft mechanic job description names the operation type up front, whether an FBO, repair station, charter operator, or shop, and includes a short company summary, a job summary that captures the inspect-maintain-repair focus, and responsibilities grouped into inspection and maintenance, repair and troubleshooting, records and compliance, and safety and shop. The qualifications should state the FAA A&P certificate under 14 CFR Part 65 as a hard requirement, name any required ratings or Inspection Authorization, and note the role is subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing where applicable. State the non-exempt, hourly classification and an honest pay range. The most valuable additions that generic templates skip are the specific FAA certificate, the drug-testing requirement, and the FLSA classification. Close with an equal opportunity statement and apply steps. This is general information, not legal advice.
