Aircraft Certifying Technician

On an aircraft certifying technician apprenticeship course, you’ll help maintain and certify various civil and military aircraft.

As an aircraft certifying technician apprentice, you will get a comprehensive knowledge of aircraft systems and execute authorised maintenance procedures to maintain and certify the airworthiness of the aircraft.

You carry out highly skilled, complex, and specialised work such as maintaining aircraft systems following authorised data and work instructions while using suitable hand tools and equipment. After each task, you will examine data sources and verify that all aircraft documentation is completed and validated correctly.

You will work alone and as part of a bigger team, performing supervisory responsibilities and overseeing completed work. You will demonstrate your ability to identify and resolve problems using authorised data and processes and understand your authority and approval limits.

What you’ll learn

On an aircraft certifying technician apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Read, interpret, explain, and suggest changes to engineering data, such as drawings, specifications, maintenance manuals, computer-generated information, and aircraft documentation.
• Use, analyse, and interpret the findings of mechanical and electrical test equipment while conducting aircraft maintenance operations.
• Execute and, if required, supervise aircraft functional tests and problem diagnostics such as electrical bonding and earthing; flight control rigging and adjustment.
• On aeroplanes, inspect, repair, remove and replace major assemblies, components, subassemblies, and systems. Mechanical fastener identification and installation, measuring and marking out, and material selection is all part of the task.
• Successfully communicate with various stakeholders at different levels in the organisation.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Four GCSEs, including English, maths and science, or equivalent qualifications for a higher apprenticeship.
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment comprises two distinct assessment methods: 

• Demonstration by task 
• Technical interview 
• Professional interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

Restrictions and requirements

You’ll need a Part-66 engineering licence issued through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 4 Aircraft Maintenance Certifying Engineer Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.