Home › A&P Aircraft Mechanic Jobs › Kansas

Back to Category

A&P Aircraft Mechanic Jobs in Kansas

Cities in Kansas with Aviation Schools:

A&P Aircraft Mechanic Jobs in Kansas

Aircraft Mechanic Jobs Kansas

What's the Job Outlook for A&P Mechanics? Aircraft mechanic jobs in Kansas should continue to grow, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their study suggests that the number of people working in aviation mechanic jobs will increase by 7% between 2008 and 2018.


This growth will be primarily caused by an increase in air traffic due to growing worldwide populations, economies, and increased desire for travel. As the airlines and associated industries expand, the need for A&P Mechanics will go up accordingly. Read more about aviation maintenance technician salaries.

In the coming years, many job openings will be created by retiring A&P Mechanics and others leaving the industry to work in related jobs like auto and diesel repair. If you become an aircraft mechanic, you can rest assured knowing your trade crosses over to many other industries.

A&P Mechanic Jobs in Kansas

A&P mechanic jobs are in high demand in Kansas. The highest paying aircraft mechanic jobs in Kansas are found at the major airlines. As can be expected, competition for these jobs is also huge. However, you're most likely to get a job at a regional airline or discount airline, because these types of carriers are growing quickly. But don't expect the same pay and benefits as the majors.

How to get your license, training requirements, eligibility, and links to more info. To earn your A&P License, you must attend a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified AMT school OR have at least 30 months of relevant civilian or military work experience (supervised by a certified aviation mechanic). The FAA issues the A&P certificates (airframe and powerplant), and mechanics can get either an airframe rating or a power plant rating or both--most mechanics get both. Those who want a certificate with just a single rating and who base their application on practical experience must demonstrate 18 months of work experience applicable to the chosen rating. Learn more about the training and experience requirements to become an aircraft mechanic.

After your education or training qualifications are met, you'll be eligible to take the required oral, practical, and written tests. You must pass all these tests within 24 months. The tests cover 43 technical subjects. Typically, tests for one certificate--airframe or power plant--take about 8 hours. (Get more details about the A&P Mechanics Tests.) When you pass, you will have earned your FAA mechanic license with airframe and/or powerplant certificates (A&P license), and you'll be on your way to a successful career in aviation maintenance! Learn more about aviation maintenance technician training now.

A&P License Currency

Although your A&P certificates don't expire, you must remain "current" by meeting several criteria, including completing a minimum of 1,000 hours of hands-on work experience during the previous 24 months (or completing a refresher course) and completing at least 16 hours of additional training every 24 months. The additional training requirement is usually satisfied by attending manufacturer events or training with outside contractors hired to conduct the training.

Avionics Technician Specialty Training
As an A&P mechanic, if you have the training, qualifications, and tools, the FAA will allow you to work on avionics as well. Avionics technicians are not specifically required to have FAA certification if they received their avionics training in the military or from working for an avionics manufacturer.

A&P Mechanic Training: Using Veteran's Benefits

Your veteran's benefits, especially the Post 9/11 GI Bill, are one of the best sources of funding available to pay for A&P mechanic training. With the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you can be reimbursed for up to 100% of your aviation mechanic training expenses. This is a sizeable amount of funding that goes a long way toward making you an A&P mechanic, but there are a few things to consider before taking the leap.

A&P mechanic training expenses can be covered up to $10,000 dollar per academic year. Qualified veterans can use Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to cover 100% of their training costs up to $10,000 dollars per academic year. Depending on the program, this is a big portion of the expense of aviation mechanic training. While it is worth noting this limitation, it is hardly causing alarm since it covers or severely reduces the costs of most A&P mechanic courses.

Aviation mechanic training programs require VA approval for reimbursement. An arguably more important consideration before beginning your A&P mechanic training is whether a particular training provider is approved by the VA. The good news is there is a pretty standard process and it isn't a secret whether a school is approved.

The only potential catch is that the VA must also approve individual courses before they will reimburse your flight training costs. This means that while a school may have approval, every course they offer isn't necessarily covered by your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Aviation mechanic training is improved by the approval process. The requirements for receiving an A&P mechanic certificate are standardized, but there is still a lot of variation in training programs. Since the VA mandates a fairly stringent approval process and there are ongoing paperwork requirements, most schools have a VA representative who is very familiar with the system.

This representative, the approval process, and the paperwork have a net effect of improving the quality of your aviation mechanic training by weeding out weak training courses and keeping you active in your training. Once you start training, most of the paperwork can be managed for you, allowing you to focus on your A&P mechanic training.

In fact, this is the most important takeaway. The stringent requirements of the Post 9/11 GI Bill create better-equipped schools, more efficient training courses, and save you money during your aviation mechanic training. For more information and to verify your eligibility, call 1-888-GIBILL-1 or check out the GI Bill website

FAA - A History of Aircraft Structures Facts for Kansas

In 1909, Frenchman Louis Bleriot produced an aircraft with notable design differences. He built a successful mono-wing aircraft. The wings were still supported by wires, but a mast extending above the fuselage enabled the wings to be supported from above, as well as underneath. This made possible the extended wing length needed to lift an aircraft with a single set of wings. Bleriot used a Pratt truss-type fuselage frame.

Little Known But Important FAA Facts

FAA Centers of Excellence - In 1990 Public Law 101-508 (49 USC Section 44513) directed the Administrator of the FAA to create the Air Transportation Centers of Excellence (COE) program. The legislation mandated selection criteria which are used to evaluate proposals in support of COE solicitations. Through this legislation the Administrator has the authority to make grants to institutions of higher education to establish and operate regional Air Transportation Centers of Excellence.


Aircraft Mechanic Jobs Kansas

An aircraft mechanic is a hot career! The A&P Mechanic industry is in need of trained A&P mechanics right now. Whether you want to work for the airlines, a smaller corporate operation, or for yourself as an independent A&P, we offer the following training resources to help you get started. Learn more about A&P Mechanic Technician Training


What is the typical A&P Mechanic Technician salary? Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) can make a comfortable living repairing and performing scheduled maintenance on aircraft, with top earners at major airlines earning well over $70,000 a year.

According to 2012 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most AMTs make somewhere between $16.92 and $36.86 per hour, with median income at $26.55 per hour or $55,210 a year. The middle 50% earned between $45,670 and $65,750. At the lowest end of the scale, 10% of AMTs earned less than $35,190, while the top 10% earned more than $76,660.

As you might expect with aircraft mechanic jobs in Kansas, the positions with the highest aircraft maintenance salary are in the major airline and federal government sectors, where A&P mechanics typically work on large jet aircraft. (In the U.S., AMTs usually refer to themselves as A&Ps, which stands for airframe and powerplant mechanics. In Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the equivalent of an AMT is an aircraft maintenance engineer.) Learn more about A&P Mechanic Technician Training

When compared to other professional technicians (such as auto mechanics, electricians, electro-mechanical technicians, and heavy vehicle service technicians), AMTs tend to earn a higher salary. In fact, AMTs' median annual income is typically between $4,000 and $18,000 higher than these technical professions. Get more info about aircraft mechanic jobs in Kansas.

A&P Mechanic Jobs in Kansas

There are several training routes to take to land the top A&P mechanic jobs. Attend a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved A&P Mechanic. Currently, the FAA has approximately 170 approved A&P Mechanic schools listed on their website. For those interested in landing the top A&P mechanic jobs in Kansas, you need to attend an A&P Mechanic School and get the practical experience you'll need to become an A&P Mechanic.

Many A&P mechanics who have the best jobs get their training in the military. As a military A&P mechanic looking for the best paying job, you could be working on anything from large airliners and transports to jet fighters and attack helicopters. If you decide to go the military route, upon your discharge from the military, you'll still need to take the necessary FAA tests and have the proper documentation of your practical experience. That means you'll have to take all the courses too!

Once you have passed the required tests, you'll be eligible to apply for the very best A&P jobs in Kansas. However, please note that military experience can sometimes be too specific, and not meet the broad specifications required by the FAA. Even after discharge, you may have to attend one of the FAA-approved AMT schools.

On the job training - a very few people earn the required minimum coursework and skill set needed to pass the A&P certification tests through on the job training. Typically, you must be under the direct supervision of an A&P for at least 30 months and be logging all of your hours to go this route. Your time log must be notarized by your employer or signed off by the supervising A&P. Find out more about A&P Mechanic jobs.

A&P Mechanic Requirements

To be a certified A&P mechanic or avionics technician you need to meet several qualifications:

  • Age 18 or older
  • Read, write, speak, and understand the English language
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Display the required technical skills

Avionics Technician Salary

Avionics Technicians test electronic instruments, assemble components, install instrument panels, interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and problems, and repair or replace malfunctioning components. According to 2012 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most Avionics Technicians earned somewhere between $18.82 and $35.47 per hour, with median income at $26.61 per hour or $55,350 a year. The middle 50% earned between $47,210 and $64,890. At the lowest end of the scale, 10% of Avionics Technicians earned less than $39,150, while the top 10% earned more than $73,770.

The positions with the highest avionics technician salary are in the aerospace, major airline, and federal government sectors. The chart below shows Avionics Technicians' mean annual salary by industry (for those industries with the highest levels of employment):

A&P Mechanic Technician Benefits

Salaries and benefits can vary. Salary is often dependent on the size of the company, work location, past work experience, licenses (e.g., A&P certificate), and type of craft serviced. In terms of benefits packages, both airline and general aviation employers typically offer paid holidays, vacations, insurance plans, retirement programs, and sick leave. A&P Mechanic technicians working for the largest companies can expect top-notch benefits packages, including both health and life insurance and, for those working for airlines, travel benefits for themselves and immediate family (e.g., free or reduced-price transportation to route destinations and travel exchange privileges with other airlines).


Helicopter Fun Facts for Kansas City

In a hover, the stability provided by air flowing over the tail is gone and minor attitude variations lead to alarming translations over the ground. In a strong gusty wind, the helicopter moves in and out of Effective Translational Lift (ETL), becoming dramatically more or less efficient. This requires large collective adjustments to maintain hover height, since the amount of power required to hold a 5' hover without ETL will cause the helicopter to fly away if the wind or a pilot-induced drift causes the helicopter to get into ETL.

How to pick a helicopter flight school near Kansas City

When it comes to making the final decision, first of all make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Don't price shop two schools and compare FAA minimum rates to \typical rates. Compare minimum to minimum or typical to typical. Generally an FAA Part 141 approved school will be better organized than a non-141 school but this is only a very general guideline. However a non-141 school should have a syllabus showing lesson plans number of hours etc.


Helicopter Fun Facts for Lawrence

Pilots receive some ground school education on how to recover from a low-G condition, but the prudent way to avoid mast bumping is by avoiding the situations that will tend to cause a low-G condition. Extreme maneuvers by a pilot can result in the helicopter going low-G, but a more common source of reduced G forces in two-bladed helicopters is turbulence. Did the accident flight occur on a day when the wind was gusting to 30 knots and the FAA had issued an AIRMET for turbulence? If so, look into the possibility of mast bumping.

How to pick a helicopter flight school near Lawrence

A private pilot certificate should normally take between 55 hours total time for an airplane pilot to 65 hours total time for a non-pilot. If the school average is much more than that, they are probably gouging their students for extra revenue.


Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Lenexa

Two-bladed helicopters, e.g., the Huey, Bell JetRanger, and Robinsons, are subject to a hazard known as mast bumping. Due to gravity, the helicopter hangs from a teetering rotor system. The pilot flies the rotor system and the helicopter fuselage follows giving the pilot the illusion that he is flying the helicopter. If gravity is no longer acting on the helicopter i.e. if the helicopter is in a low G condition the tail rotor will tend to roll the helicopter to the right. The alarmed pilot will reflexively apply left cyclic which causes the rotor system to tilt but without gravity the helicopter fuselage won't follow. This puts the rotor blades and the mast into an extreme orientation and an inner portion of the blades will smack into (bump) the stationary mast that is holding up the rotor system.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Lenexa

Sikorsky Helicopters S-92 Helicopter: The spacious, stand-up cabin of the S-92 helicopter provides the ultimate in comfort, safety and mission-flexibility required by demanding operators for a variety of roles, including offshore oil transport, executive transport, search and rescue, airline and utility. Airline configured S-92 helicopters seat up to 19 passengers


Helicopter History for Manhattan

Flight Instructor Facts for Manhattan As the students progress through training, the helicopter flight instructor will allow the students to take over control of the craft and attempt to fly.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Manhattan

Sikorsky Helicopter S-92: The S-92 helicopter is the most advanced aircraft in Sikorsky's civil product line, certified to the most stringent safety requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).


Helicopter Fun Facts for Olathe

A separate issue is that the helicopter is reasonably stable when hovering nose-into-the-wind. If, however, the pilot deems it necessary to rotate the helicopter, perhaps to fit into a conventional parking space, the helicopter can be difficult to control. The left crosswind is the worst for an American helicopter such as the Robinson or JetRanger; it blows disturbed air pushed sideways by the tail rotor back into the tail rotor. In a strong enough left crosswind, even the world's best helicopter pilot may not be able to maintain control while hovering.

How to pick a helicopter flight school near Olathe

Try to determine whether the helicopter fleet is being well maintained. In my book, maintenance is much more important in helicopters than it is in airplanes. There are a lot of pieces that can fall off an airplane and leave it flying. There are not nearly so many pieces in a helicopter. Of course, it can be very hard for someone who doesn't know about helicopters to determine whether the maintenance is good at a particular school.


Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Overland Park

Hovering a helicopter is the hardest skill for a beginner pilot to learn. Holding a steady hover in left crosswind can be a challenge even for an experience pilot. A beginner usually has little trouble conducting basic maneuvers 1000' above the ground and moving forward at 70 knots. That's partly because the helicopter tail has horizontal and vertical stabilizer surfaces and partly because minor attitude variations don't matter much, e.g., the helicopter flies just as well at 60 or 80 knots as at 70 knots.

How to pick a helicopter flight school near Overland Park

Ask to talk to a couple of the instructors. You may have to come back if they are all flying at the time. Ask leading questions, such as whether the instructor enjoys working at the school, whether the management is difficult to work for, is the maintenance good, are the helicopters all in good shape. The way the instructor answers is as important as what he/she says... If the owner told you it would take \X hours and Y dollars to get your rating ask the instructor whether those estimates are reasonable or not. Don't say the owner quoted them just ask do you think I could get my rating in X hours for Y dollars?.


Helicopter Fun Facts for Salina

Designed as a rich guy's transportation helicopter, the Robinson R22 quickly became instead the world's most popular training helicopter. It also happens to be one of the most dangerous machines in which to train. Why? Much of helicopter training is practicing autorotations, in which the engine is twisted toward idle and the helicopter glides toward the ground. This maneuver requires the student to adjust the collective pitch control to maintain rotor RPM within safe limits.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Salina

Eurocopter - AS550: The AS550 C3e Fennec is Eurocopters 2-ton class answer to Armed Forces requirements. Easy to operate in extreme and harsh conditions, this Armed Scout helicopter combines safety and performance.


Helicopter Fun Facts for Shawnee

The Robinson R44 has a potentially lethal design defect: the electronic governor, which is supposed to ensure that rotor speed remains at a safe 100%

Unusual But Interesting Helicopter Facts in Shawnee

The S-76D helicopter is truly the next step in helicopter technology, setting a new standard of excellence that S-76 helicopter operators have come to expect. Power and performance are enhanced by all composite main rotor blades and optimized Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines with dual FADEC controls.


Helicopter Fun Facts for Topeka

Helicopters that are simultaneously moving slowly and descending are subject to a hazardous condition known as settling with power or vortex ring state. The helicopter sinks into its own previously disturbed air and the result is a dramatic increase in descent rate that cannot be arrested by adding collective pitch and engine power.

How to pick a helicopter flight school near Topeka

Try to figure out whether this is a school which soaks it's students. I've seen many schools that take 100 hours or more for people to get a private pilot license. You will find the occasional person who really needs to take this long, but if you talk to 3 graduates and they all took over 80 hours to get their private, the school may be \overtraining them in order to get additional revenue.


Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Wichita

Proximity to obstacles presents a unique hazard to helicopters. If the helicopter contacts a fence post or other obstacle that prevents the helicopter from translating sideways, the slightest bit of pivot will put the rotor system in a position where the power of the helicopter engine is actually pulling the helicopter around the pivot and into the ground. Pilots are trained to lower the collective pitch control, taking the power out of the rotor system, when they sense an impending dynamic rollover, but it happens very quickly.

How to pick a helicopter flight school near Wichita

Get a tour of the facility. Try to get a feeling for whether this is a well organized school or not. Is it a single helicopter school, or does the school have multiple helicopters? If the school only has a single helicopter, you will have a more difficult time scheduling in it, and mechanical difficulties will cause lessons to be cancelled whereas with multiple helicopters often another helicopter can be substituted. Also, as a rule of thumb single helicopter schools are less likely to be around a few years later when you want to rent their helicopter.