The aircraft's systems tools and documentation
The systems you work with and the tools and papers that make the work safe and traceable
A modern aircraft is a collection of systems each of which must work and work together. As an aircraft technician you must understand them and be able to work on them according to regulations. Here are the main systems and the equipment you use.
§The aircraft's major systems
An aeroplane consists among other things of the structure (the body itself, wings and tail section), propulsion (the engines), control systems (which control the aircraft's movements), and a range of systems for hydraulics, fuel, electricity, instruments and cabin pressure and temperature. An aircraft technician works with several of them and must understand how they hang together, because a fault in one place can show up in another.
| System | What it does |
|---|---|
| Structure | The aircraft's fuselage wings and tail — carry all loads |
| Propulsion | The motors that create the power to fly |
| Control systems | What controls the plane's movement in the air |
| Hydraulics | Transmits force to e.g. control surfaces and undercarriage |
| Fuel system | Stores and transports fuel to the engines |
| Electricity and instruments. | Current, measurement and information to the crew |
| Cabin systems | Pressure, air and temperature so people can stay on board |
§Tool with special care
Much of the aircraft technician's tools resemble other mechanic's tools, but are used with greater care. An example is the torque wrench, which tightens a bolt with a precisely prescribed force — in aviation you do not tighten by feel. Measuring tools, specialised tools for specific tasks and testing equipment to check systems are also included. Tools are inspected and kept in order so they indicate and work correctly.
§Approved parts
In an aircraft only approved parts are used and can be traced. You do not just swap a part with one that 'looks like', because a part must have the right properties and a documented history. Ensuring that a part is the right and approved one, and recording which part is used, is part of the work. Wrong or undocumented parts are a safety risk.
§The technical documentation
The aircraft's documentation — manuals and procedures — is the aircraft technician's most important 'tool'. It tells exactly how a task should be performed: sequence measurements elements and checks. You follow it instead of memory because it's correct and up to date. Being able to find read and follow the right documentation is a core skill in the trade.
§Recording of completed work
Beyond reading documentation, you also write yourself. What has been done, which parts have been used, who has performed and inspected the work? That record follows the aircraft and means you can always see its history. This enables pattern identification, maintenance planning and responsibility placement. In aviation, the written word is part of safety.
“The tool turns the bolt in. The torque wrench ensures the correct force. The documentation proves it was done correctly — all three parts belong to the trade.”
— Professional view on equipment in moving technology.