What does a helicopter mechanic do?
A helicopter mechanic is tasked with making sure all a helicopter's parts are good and working well. They thoroughly inspect and ensure that the helicopter and other aircraft meet standard regulations and are fit for flight. A helicopter mechanic is well versed in mechanics and has excellent problem-solving and computer skills. They repair and maintain both civilian and military helicopters. They may work at airfields or runways.
Helicopter mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real helicopter mechanic resumes:
- Used drills, countersinks, deburr tools, and wedge lock guns.
- Test, troubleshoot and repair advance aircraft hydraulic systems.
- Complete all repairs and maintenance work to company and FAA standards.
- Document logs to ensure company compliance of OSHA standards and employee safety.
- Inspect completed work to certify that it meet FAA standards and that assets are functional.
- Confer with inspectors, OSHA, EPA, and engineering firms on all construction/code relate issues/developments.
- Trouble shoot electrical problems, motors, VFD's, starters, limit, and perimeter switches.
- Repair, overhaul, maintain and upgrade plant compressors, pumps, blowers, exchangers and overhead fans.
- Participate in daily FOD inspections, shop clean up, and assist in hangar clean up as directed by site manager/leads.
- Conduct trend analysis and make recommendations for improve FOD awareness and prevention performance.
- Maintain equipment for flight readiness and perform inventory of HAZMAT materials require for mission readiness.
- Receive and implement combat orders and direct deployment of personnel in offensive, defensive operations.
- Fork lift , 30 ton overhead crane, floor sweeper, genie boom, and scissor lift operation and maintenance.
- Apply technical knowledge of airframe systems in determining equipment malfunctions and apply required expertise in restoring equipment condition to operating status.
- Perform hydraulic and structural maintenance on the UH-1Y, UH-1N, and the AH-1W.
Helicopter mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Helicopter Mechanics are proficient in Hand Tools, Safety Procedures, and FAA.
We break down the percentage of Helicopter Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 9%
Performed scheduled maintenance inspections using superior knowledge of hand tools.
- Safety Procedures, 9%
Guided and coordinated safety procedures to meet company requirements using Word and PowerPoint presentations.
- FAA, 6%
Inspect, troubleshoot, repair and maintained an airworthy aircraft used in a FAA part 135, 121 and 91 operations.
- Maintenance Manuals, 5%
Assisted Supervisors in technical advice concerning maintenance procedures and clarified confusion when interpreting the maintenance manuals.
- Helicopter Maintenance, 5%
Converted Helicopter Maintenance and Historical Records to automated system, which alleviated errors due to illegible writing and loss of documentation.
- Landing Gear, 4%
Applied hydraulic and electrical power for maintenance and checks in landing gears, engines, flight controls between others as required.
Most helicopter mechanics use their skills in "hand tools," "safety procedures," and "faa" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential helicopter mechanic responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a helicopter mechanic to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "mechanics and technicians need to adjust airplane parts to exact specifications." Helicopter mechanics often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "ensured attention to detail for control shop's programs in hazmat and hazwaste management. "
Dexterity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling helicopter mechanic duties is dexterity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "mechanics and technicians need to coordinate the movement of their fingers and hands in order to grasp, manipulate, or assemble parts." According to a helicopter mechanic resume, here's how helicopter mechanics can utilize dexterity in their job responsibilities: "completed nine (9) ch-47 medium-lift helicopter phase inspections in a 1-year time period. "
The three companies that hire the most helicopter mechanics are:
- Aerotek4 helicopter mechanics jobs
- Air Methods3 helicopter mechanics jobs
- LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions2 helicopter mechanics jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable helicopter mechanic resume templates
Build a professional helicopter mechanic resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your helicopter mechanic resume.
Compare different helicopter mechanics
Helicopter mechanic vs. Aircraft fueler
Aircraft fuelers' primary role is to ensure the proper refueling of aircraft before and after a flight. The position is essential, as proper refueling determines the safety of an aircraft. An aircraft fueler manages refueling equipment, transports fuel, and ensures adherence to safety protocols. They are also responsible for monitoring the functionality of all equipment and ordering repairs. This position requires a high level of safety-consciousness.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a helicopter mechanic are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "maintenance manuals," "helicopter maintenance," and "landing gear." On the other hand, a job as an aircraft fueler requires skills like "basic math," "commercial vehicles," "aircraft weight," and "quality control checks." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Aircraft fuelers really shine in the transportation industry with an average salary of $33,369. Comparatively, helicopter mechanics tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $68,156.The education levels that aircraft fuelers earn slightly differ from helicopter mechanics. In particular, aircraft fuelers are 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a helicopter mechanic. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Helicopter mechanic vs. Aircraft electrician
An aircraft electrician specializes in installing and repairing electrical systems in an aircraft, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically include running diagnostic tests and examinations, troubleshooting problems, replacing and fixing components, understanding diagrams, and keeping records. There are also instances where they must solder wires, climb up high places, and perform regular maintenance checks. Moreover, an aircraft electrician typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for an efficient and safe workflow.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real helicopter mechanic resumes. While helicopter mechanic responsibilities can utilize skills like "maintenance manuals," "helicopter maintenance," "gearboxes," and "preventative maintenance," aircraft electricians use skills like "diagnose malfunctions," "switchboards," "troubleshoot," and "electrical components."
Aircraft electricians earn a lower average salary than helicopter mechanics. But aircraft electricians earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $63,434. Additionally, helicopter mechanics earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $68,156 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Aircraft electricians tend to reach similar levels of education than helicopter mechanics. In fact, they're 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Helicopter mechanic vs. Structures technician
Structures technicians design buildings or monuments. They plan construction, select materials, and create models. They must investigate the properties of possible materials, including steel, concrete, cement, and brick.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, helicopter mechanics are more likely to have skills like "helicopter maintenance," "gearboxes," "preventative maintenance," and "gear boxes." But a structures technician is more likely to have skills like "engineering drawings," "revit," "troubleshoot," and "ladders."
Structures technicians earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $64,055. Helicopter mechanics earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $68,156.structures technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to helicopter mechanics. Specifically, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Helicopter mechanic vs. Airframe technician
Types of helicopter mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025
