Accession Number:

AD1105608

Title:

AVIATION MAINTENANCE Additional Coordination and Data Could Advance FAA Efforts to Promote a Robust, Diverse Workforce

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC WASHINGTON DC United States

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

2020-02-01

Pagination or Media Count:

38.0

Abstract:

FAA requires that only mechanics who are certificated by the FAA approve aircraft for return to service. The required training to become a certificated mechanic can take between 1 and 3 years. FAA also oversees the certification of repairmen who work on aircraft parts. Some stakeholders have expressed concern that retirements and attrition could adversely affect the capacity of this workforce to meet the growing demand for air travel, and that mechanic curriculum is outdated. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 included provisions for GAO to examine the aviation workforce. This report examines 1 what available federal data reveal about the FAA-certificated aviation maintenance workforce 2 how selected government agencies, educational institutions, and businesses provide support and coordinate to develop the aviation maintenance workforce and 3 the progress FAA has made in updating its curriculum and testing standards for mechanics. GAO analyzed FAA data on certificate holders as of December 2018 reviewed BLS employment data for 2013 through 2018 reviewed relevant federal laws and regulations and interviewed selected federal agency, industry, and AMT School officials.

Descriptors:

• employment
• mechanics
• job training
• management personnel
• commercial aviation
• aircraft maintenance

Subject Categories:

• Personnel Management and Labor Relations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE