What does an aircraft maintenance supervisor do?
An aircraft maintenance supervisor heads a team of mechanics and technicians that maintains aircraft. They ensure that all protocols mandated by aviation regulations and policies are followed. They are responsible for ensuring that maintenance personnel work efficiently, adhere to safety guidelines, and maintain all assigned aircraft. An aircraft maintenance supervisor must have experience in aviation as well as having good communication skills and organizational skills.
Aircraft maintenance supervisor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real aircraft maintenance supervisor resumes:
- Coordinate and manage required logistics support, and direct, document, and monitor aircraft cannibalization.
- Perform data entries and maintain aircraft and engine component logbooks IAW FAA regulations and USAF technical orders and instructions.
- Perform routine maintenance and inspections on HVAC systems.
- Operate and maintain ground handling equipment used for moving and hoisting aircrafts.
- Perform airfield crash and rescue firefighting tasks involving rotary and fix wing aircraft.
- Interpret schematics and diagrams, technical publications, and fault isolation trees to perform maintenance, troubleshoot and repair malfunctioning systems.
- Help with crash rescue, firefighting, crash removal and damage control duties in connection with launching and recovery of aircraft.
- Develop original PLC programs and streamline off-site develop PLC programs to minimize equipment downtime and maximize technician understanding of these programs.
- Direct mechanics to work DMI and CDL log book items during down time of aircraft.
- Identify and resolve recurring downtime issues through establishing a TPM program that addressed inefficient operational issues.
Aircraft maintenance supervisor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Aircraft Maintenance Supervisors are proficient in Maintenance Tasks, OSHA, and Airframe. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Troubleshooting skills, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Aircraft Maintenance Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Maintenance Tasks, 8%
Used computerized database information daily, to analyze aircraft maintenance data in order to take action on appropriate aircraft maintenance tasks.
- OSHA, 7%
Managed and Supervised confined space entry procedures to ensure repairs were accomplished safely according to OSHA.
- Airframe, 6%
Served as the technical authority to advise on and approve all airframe, mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic repairs.
- Hazardous Materials, 6%
Handled, used and disposed of hazardous materials and waste according to federal/state/local environmental standards.
- Maintenance Functions, 5%
Perform production expediter, supervisor, crew chief, and maintenance functions.
- Landing Gear, 5%
Led personnel who troubleshoot malfunctions of landing gear controls, control valves, shock and recoil struts, and shimmy dampers.
Common skills that an aircraft maintenance supervisor uses to do their job include "maintenance tasks," "osha," and "airframe." You can find details on the most important aircraft maintenance supervisor responsibilities below.
Dexterity. aircraft maintenance supervisors are also known for dexterity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to aircraft maintenance supervisor responsibilities, because "mechanics and technicians need to coordinate the movement of their fingers and hands in order to grasp, manipulate, or assemble parts." An aircraft maintenance supervisor resume example shows how dexterity is used in the workplace: "remove or install aircraft engines using hoists, forklift trucks, or engine mounting equipment. "
Detail oriented. For certain aircraft maintenance supervisor responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of an aircraft maintenance supervisor rely on this skill, as "mechanics and technicians need to adjust airplane parts to exact specifications." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what aircraft maintenance supervisors do: "prepared detailed status reports to senior leadership and performed daily meetings in coordinating maintenance efforts and tasks. "
Strength. Another common skill required for aircraft maintenance supervisor responsibilities is "strength." This skill comes up in the duties of aircraft maintenance supervisors all the time, as "mechanics and technicians may carry or move heavy equipment or aircraft parts, climb on airplanes, balance, and reach without falling." An excerpt from a real aircraft maintenance supervisor resume shows how this skill is central to what an aircraft maintenance supervisor does: "managed, supervised specific maintenance tasks based on personnel strengths. "
The three companies that hire the most aircraft maintenance supervisors are:
- L3Harris5 aircraft maintenance supervisors jobs
- Lockheed Martin5 aircraft maintenance supervisors jobs
- American Airlines3 aircraft maintenance supervisors jobs
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Compare different aircraft maintenance supervisors
Aircraft maintenance supervisor vs. Section chief
A section chief's job varies with the type of organization. In most cases, a section chief is the head of a given section in an organization that is tasked with performing certain duties. A section chief is the head of a unit and provides leadership, motivation, and management of a section of employees. Their duties and responsibilities include reviewing and overseeing budgets, expenditure, and section activities.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, aircraft maintenance supervisor responsibilities require skills like "maintenance tasks," "osha," "airframe," and "maintenance functions." Meanwhile a typical section chief has skills in areas such as "training programs," "logistical support," "combat," and "federal agencies." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Section chiefs really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $59,842. Comparatively, aircraft maintenance supervisors tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $74,126.section chiefs tend to reach similar levels of education than aircraft maintenance supervisors. In fact, section chiefs are 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.5% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Aircraft maintenance supervisor vs. Body shop manager
A lead mechanic coordinates the teams of mechanics and ensures the timely completion of repairs. Lead mechanics supervise their subordinates, order mechanical parts, and inspect their work making sure that the standards are met. They are responsible for repairing, overhauling, and maintaining vehicles or farm equipment. It is their job to provide support and give advice on matters associated with repairs. They also conduct road tests and maintain the repair of equipment. They should also have leadership and strong communication skills.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real aircraft maintenance supervisor resumes. While aircraft maintenance supervisor responsibilities can utilize skills like "maintenance tasks," "osha," "airframe," and "hazardous materials," body shop managers use skills like "dealership," "customer service," "customer satisfaction," and "insurance adjusters."
Body shop managers earn similar levels of education than aircraft maintenance supervisors in general. They're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Aircraft maintenance supervisor vs. Lead mechanic
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an aircraft maintenance supervisor is likely to be skilled in "maintenance tasks," "osha," "airframe," and "hazardous materials," while a typical lead mechanic is skilled in "hand tools," "preventive maintenance," "hvac," and "mechanical equipment."
Lead mechanics earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $60,789. Aircraft maintenance supervisors earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $74,126.Most lead mechanics achieve a similar degree level compared to aircraft maintenance supervisors. For example, they're 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Aircraft maintenance supervisor vs. Chief petty officer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between aircraft maintenance supervisors and chief petty officers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an aircraft maintenance supervisor might have more use for skills like "maintenance tasks," "osha," "airframe," and "maintenance functions." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of chief petty officers require skills like "logistical support," "sailors," "combat systems," and "training programs. "
Chief petty officers reach similar levels of education compared to aircraft maintenance supervisors, in general. The difference is that they're 1.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of aircraft maintenance supervisor
Updated January 8, 2025
