Aerospace and Aviation Sector
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Introduction

Aerospace-industry companies typically provide maintenance services for corporate, commercial, and military aircraft. Light-plane maintenance is typically done by local fixed-base operators who are not affiliated with the aerospace industry. Although launch vehicles and uncrewed spacecraft are constantly checked and corrected during their pre launch life, they are single-use systems. Crew safety is the most important consideration for crewed spacecraft. Every trip of the space shuttle, for example, is extensively examined by NASA and contractor staff. Specialists in their operating units maintain small military missiles in the field. Ballistic missiles are subjected to routine maintenance at their field sites, however some tasks, such as realignment of structure and sensors, necessitate the missile’s return to the originating plant.

The civil or military operator is usually in charge of routine aircraft maintenance. It involves routine inspections, such as replacing a part or repairing a faulty piece of equipment, and minor maintenance, such as replacing a part or repairing a faulty piece of equipment, after each flight, a set series of flights, or a time interval. Most aeroplane terminals and military bases can handle this type of maintenance. Major maintenance work includes a comprehensive overhaul of an aeroplane or engine that has seen a lot of use. Larger airlines, as well as major military aviation units, have their own extensive technical facilities for major refurbishment. In order to attain a high level of skill and efficiency, these facilities usually specialise in servicing specific models. 

Despite their competitiveness in the air, smaller airlines frequently collaborate on the ground and hire other carriers’ technical services to perform maintenance. Maintenance services are provided by some manufacturers through subsidiaries that specialise in this field. The costs of maintaining aeronautical systems are significant. For example, an operator will spend around two to three times the original acquisition cost on maintenance during the life of a typical jet engine.

The real manufacturer’s role in product maintenance is mostly that of a supplier of parts, paperwork, and guidance. Original equipment manufacturers rely heavily on the sale of spare parts as a source of revenue. Boeing, for example, sends out over 650,000 spare parts to approximately 400 airlines each year. The company’s main spare-parts centre has 410,000 distinct parts—a total of 50,000,000 items—and is open 24 hours a day. The provision of electronic documentation is becoming standard practice.

Technologies for inspection

Inspection is the most important part of maintenance since it detects cracks, defects, debonds, delamination, corrosion, and other harmful changes before they endanger the aircraft. Inspectors do a lot of their work with their eyes, often with nothing more than a flashlight and a mirror. They employ ultrasound, X-rays, eddy currents, and other nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technologies for the majority of the rest (see materials testing: Nondestructive testing). Current NDE research efforts aim to probe complete aircrafts without disassembly in the future. Manufacturers utilise a variety of modern NDE technologies, such as holography, pulsed thermometry, shearography, and neutron radiation, on a regular basis, especially for essential elements like turbine components and composites, but maintenance applications are still limited.

Scientists, engineers, technicians, production employees, and administrative and support staff work in the industry.

Career

Manufacturing, processing, assembling, inspection, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production for a plant’s own use, record keeping, and other services closely associated with the above operations are all covered by production workers. Sheet metal work, “other” metal work, machinery and tool manufacturing, assembly and installation, inspection and testing (quality control), flight check-out, materials handling, maintenance, and protective cleaning are the most common plant vocations.

Production personnel account for slightly more than half of all workers in the aircraft manufacturing industry (“blue collar” occupations). The many pieces that make up a contemporary aeroplane are manufactured, assembled, installed, tested, and inspected by these individuals. Material is handled by other plant workers, who also provide maintenance and custodial services. These careers range in skill level from highly skilled to semi-skilled.

Working Environment

Production workers are employed in loud sectors such as riveting, metal processing, and welding. Some jobs produce scents and gases. Some personnel, particularly assemblers, work in cramped, hard-to-reach areas that necessitate a great deal of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling to complete their tasks. Many jobs, including assembly, welding, moulding, mechanic, and machine shop work, need frequent lifting or carrying of heavy (up to 50 pounds) and medium (up to 25 pounds) weights. Although there are some risks involved with the aviation sector, it is a safe place to work, with an injury rate that is lower than that of the manufacturing industry as a whole.

Production personnel are typically required to perform shifts (three in operation). Workers on the second and third shifts typically receive a raise in pay.

Requirements

For semi-skilled workers like material handlers and guards, training requirements range from a few days of on-the-job training to several years of formal apprenticeship for craftworkers like machinists, tool and die makers, aircraft mechanics, sheet metal workers, pattern-makers, and electricians. Many plant occupations necessitate a wide range of abilities. For the less skilled assembly occupations, workers with little or no prior training or experience may be hired. Two to four years of plant experience may be required for skilled assemblers. Starting workers with minimal experience typically work as helpers or assistants, honing their abilities on the job and through plant training programmes.

Educational Requirements

In most cases, a high school diploma or equivalent is required. By attending vocational or technical school, an individual can improve his or her prospects of becoming hired.

As the sector of aerospace and airline applications in India can be seen rising and reaching new highs each year, it invites many career opportunities as it expands. Among this vast list of career opportunities, one can get confused on which is the right choice for them. 

MyCareerGurukul is the perfect stop for them. Our team of Counsellors and Mentors can help you choose a career path by creating a personalized career action plan for you and enrolling you in a certificate training programme to achieve your goals.

MyCareerGurukul is a unique platform boosting the enthusiasm for discovering the correct career path for students at the right time with perfect coaching and mentoring to shape their career successfully. It is based in Vasai West, Mumbai North Region.

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