Register

The Slow, Steady Business of the Evolving A&P Mechanic

With aircraft connectivity comes new maintenance considerations.

Gogo Avance L3 connectivity system [Courtesy: Gogo]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The aviation industry is undergoing a digital revolution, similar to past technological shifts (e.g., the printing press, Industrial Revolution), necessitating significant changes in job roles for aircraft mechanics.
  • Connected aircraft are becoming standard (expected on 98% of planes in 15 years), creating new demands for maintenance professionals in troubleshooting complex connectivity systems and addressing cybersecurity.
  • Aircraft mechanics must continually adapt and acquire new skills, including proficiency in digital technologies, network diagnostics, and cybersecurity, to remain relevant and effective in the evolving aviation landscape.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Do you feel secure in your current role? So did the monks laboring away in medieval scriptoriums creating stunning manuscripts. The Roman Catholic Church kept a steady order of sacred texts that needed transcribing. Johann Gutenberg sets up a printing press in Germany…and so much for job security.

National Geographic states the Industrial Revolution was the most profound event in history because of its sweeping impact on people’s daily lives. People left their rural existence for the first time and traded their plows for a crescent wrench. An entire generation had to learn all new skills quickly. That on-the-job training log entry must have been massive.

Richard Scarbrough

Richard is a US Navy Veteran, A&P Mechanic, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University alumni. His experience ranges from general and corporate aviation to helicopters, business jets, and commercial airliners. Former owner of a 145 repair station, he currently has an aerospace product management role and is a member of the T-C-Alliance. Follow him on X (Twitter) at @RScarCo.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE