Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (8%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 4 (11%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 31 (82%)

• Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
• 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.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
• Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Obtain fuel and oil samples and check them for contamination.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• 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.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment, such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, or ammeters.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Measure the tension of control cables.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Spread plastic film over areas to be repaired to prevent damage to surrounding areas.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Reassemble engines following repair or inspection and reinstall engines in aircraft.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Service and maintain aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities such as flushing crankcases, cleaning screens, and or moving parts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Trim and shape replacement body sections to specified sizes and fits and secure sections in place, using adhesives, hand tools, and power tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Accompany aircraft on flights to make in-flight adjustments and corrections.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Remove or cut out defective parts or drill holes to gain access to internal defects or damage, using drills and punches.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Install and align repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Clean, strip, prime, and sand structural surfaces and materials to prepare them for bonding.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Communicate with other workers to coordinate fitting and alignment of heavy parts, or to facilitate processing of repair parts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• 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.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Cure bonded structures, using portable or stationary curing equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Listen to operating engines to detect and diagnose malfunctions, such as sticking or burned valves.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Clean engines, sediment bulk and screens, and carburetors, adjusting carburetor float levels.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Determine repair limits for engine hot section parts.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Remove, inspect, repair, and install in-flight refueling stores and external fuel tanks.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Prepare and paint aircraft surfaces.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

Questions about aircraft mechanics and service technicians and AI