Aircraft Technician

Reckon you could strip down an aircraft and rebuild it? With this job you’ll find out how – servicing, overhauling and maintaining all our aircraft systems and components. All Aircraft Technicians will be required to complete the Aeronautical Engineering course at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) situated at Woodbourne, Blenheim. After successful completion of this course you will then enlist into the RNZAF and start your Recruit Course Training.

Category: Technical Trades
Salary after one year: Remuneration on enlistment $33,256. This is the minimum remuneration you will be paid from day one. Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of recruit course to $40,869 and will increase on promotion and seniority.

Joining age: You must be 17 years or older

Qualifications: A minimum of 12 NCEA Level 2 credits in English, Mathematics and a Science subject.

Nationality: Applicants must be a NZ citizen (some exceptions apply).

// FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

As an Aircraft Technician you’ll be a member of the ground crew, jointly responsible for maintaining all aircraft mechanical systems used on RNZAF aircraft. These systems include aircraft structures, flight controls, engines, propellers, helicopter rotors, hydraulics, pneumatics, landing gear and fuel. Your duties will range from day-to-day servicing of aircraft on the flight line to scheduled maintenance to maintaining the aircraft as it travels overseas.

As you become more experienced, you’ll be given greater responsibilities in managing personnel, aircraft maintenance and associated equipment. As a senior Mechanic, you’ll be required to perform military command and leadership duties supervising a small team of personnel. Other opportunities include applying for the specialist role of Non Destructive Testing or becoming an Aircraft Trade Instructor.

// JOB BENEFITS

This practical, highly-skilled role offers lots of hands-on work that will eventually see you become a world-class Technician. As you complete your training, you’ll be eligible to apply for a National Certificate in Aircraft Servicing Level 2 (after around two years) and a National Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering (Maintenance) after around four years.

// TRAINING

Aeronautical Engineering Course

As a first step you will need to complete the full-time 17 week Aeronautical Engineering Course with NMIT. This is undertaken privately and is a prerequisite to joining the RNZAF. Areas covered on the Aeronautical Course include:

Aircraft construction materials
Aeronautical drawing interpretation
Sketching and mathematics
Aeronautical workplace safety
Quality management principles
Aeronautical spare parts
Hand and machine tool use
Maintenance documentation and publication use
Component removal and installation
Aircraft systems and principles of flight

Your NMIT Course fees will be reimbursed to you when you commence your RNZAF Aircraft Mechanic Training Course.

Recruit Course

Upon successful completion of the Aeronautical Engineering course you will then join the Air Force. You’ll be posted to RNZAF Base Woodbourne (near Blenheim). Here you’ll do 12 weeks of basic military training to find out if you’ve got what it takes to be in the Air Force, and learn various
subjects including:

Organisation and Administration
RNZAF Customs and Protocol
Drill and Parades
Military Field Skills and Weapon Training
First Aid, and Search and Rescue Techniques
Physical Fitness

RNZAF Aircraft Mechanic Training

On completing the recruit course you start primary trade training on the 24-week RNZAF Aircraft Mechanic Course. During this course you will receive theoretical and practical training on the principles of operation as well as theory of construction and maintenance of fixed and rotary wing aircraft and their components and systems.

Subjects covered include the inspection, fitting and removal and
maintenance of aircraft components and an overview of aircraft
structures, flight controls, undercarriages and brake systems,
hydraulic systems, environmental control systems, fuel systems,
gas turbine engines, propellers, ignition and lubrication systems,
accessory gearboxes and transmissions. Instruction is also given in the use of maintenance documents and engineering publications.

On-the-Job Training

After graduating from the RNZAF Aircraft Mechanic Course, you
will be employed for approximately 18 months on an RNZAF base, carrying out aircraft servicing duties and gaining experience in
aircraft maintenance. This training is designed to consolidate and
extend your trade training, providing access to the aircraft types
and the equipment on which you will be employed. The On-the-Job training (OJT) completes your primary trade training.

RNZAF Aircraft Technician Course

This course focuses on fault-finding aircraft systems and covers
the inspection, repair, servicing and maintenance of aeronautical
equipment, components, systems and aircraft.

After graduating from the RNZAF Aircraft Technician Course as a junior Aircraft Technician, you will be posted to a technical unit
where over a period of approximately 12 months you will complete an OJT workbook. This training is designed to consolidate the skills and knowledge learned during the Aircraft Technician Course. This workbook completes advanced trade training, after which you will become an Aircraft Technician.