The Life of an Aircraft Mechanic Abroad: Challenges and Rewards

An aircraft mechanic is a specialist working closely with air vehicles before the actual flight. Their job is to ensure everything is all right with the aircraft before it hits the runway for take-off. An aircraft mechanic’s most common responsibilities are to inspect the aircraft pre-flight, replace defective parts when the situation imposes, implement preventive maintenance according to manual scheduling, and perform troubleshooting of potential issues.

As so many lives depend on the attention aircraft mechanics put into their jobs, the salary must be enough to motivate them to take care of their responsibilities correctly. According to the Indeed Career Explorer, the average aircraft mechanic job salary in the US sits at 81,000 USD per year, with a low of 58,000 USD per year and a high of 114,000 USD per year. These figures are variable around the country, as the responsibilities might vary depending on the aircraft you work on.

How Aircraft Mechanics Can Start Working Abroad

Depending on your current situation, starting a new aircraft mechanic job abroad can be either a fantastic or a terrible idea. If you are passionate about aircraft and want to get the most out of your career, such experience will help you improve your knowledge base and enhance your future self. If you are conservative, however, and value your current life more than your actual career, there might be a chance an overseas job is not right for you.

The general requirements for being an aircraft mechanic overseas are similar to those in the United States. Besides the main requirements (at least 18 years old, physically and mentally fit, etc.), you must have a certificate approved by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) or any other federal-level authority.

If you meet the requirements and are interested in taking such an important career step, all you have to do is go out there and find overseas aircraft mechanic jobs. Your best bet is the online platforms allowing US and European-based companies to post their vacancies.

Challenges of Working as an Aircraft Mechanic Abroad

You may face two main challenges when working as an aircraft mechanic abroad. The first and most obvious is related to moving to that country. This job cannot be performed remotely, so you must relocate to that country. The situation gets more complicated when you add several factors – home ownership, mortgage, significant other, children, etc. Some companies offer relocation packages, but we will cover that benefit in the upcoming section.

The other important challenge you should take into consideration when thinking about moving overseas for an aircraft mechanic job is related to cultural shock. As a US-based person, there are many things you naturally do in your way. Studies show that, on average, 4 out of 10 people born in the United States of America experience cultural shock within the first six months of moving overseas. There are a lot of helpful resources available on the internet that will help you reduce the risk of experiencing the symptoms associated with cultural shock.

Rewards of Being an Aircraft Mechanic Overseas

The most obvious reward of being an aircraft mechanic overseas is the salary. Although the average aircraft mechanic salary in Europe is equivalent to 80,000 USD per year, the cost of life might be lower compared to the US.

Some companies offer relocation packages consisting of extra money to pay for moving your important things (luggage, clothes, furniture, even your car) plus some extra days off for you to get your stuff figured out. If you feel this benefit is helpful for you, please discuss the situation with the Human Resources representative during your interviews.

In Europe, it is common for companies to offer different employee benefits. Some of the most frequently provided perks include gym membership, private healthcare policy, discounts on fuel, and meal prep service subscriptions.

Career growth opportunities vary depending on your expertise and willingness to learn. If you want to get promoted quickly, overseas aircraft mechanic jobs are a great place to start your journey. A different perspective on this job might help you develop inputs that your higher-ups will highly appreciate.

Conclusion: Is It Worth Working as an Aircraft Mechanic Abroad?

To sum up, working as an aircraft mechanic aboard might be worth it. It usually does, but that depends a lot on your current situation. Therefore, we highly encourage you to analyze your desired pathway carefully before taking the big step.