An aviation inspector conducts inspections of aircraft and all associated aircraft equipment including communications equipment, navigational aids, and maintenance procedures. One of the most important aspects of an inspector's job is to ensure that all of these things comply with current government standards. Basic education and training requirements include a college degree or specialized training in a technical school or government certified training facility. Inspection of all parts, functions, surfaces and flight systems on an aircraft is one of the most important aspects of being an aviation inspector. Aviation inspectors must examine many documents and records as most governments require meticulous record keeping for all aircraft as well as maintenance and repair personnel
Educational and training requirements for an aviation inspector will likely require an associate's or bachelor's degree in engineering, aeronautical science, electronics or other related fields. Training includes courses in physics, mathematics, computer science, electronics, and chemistry. In addition, government certification and training at a government certified facility may require 18 to 24 months to complete. Past experience in a management or supervisory role may also be required. Employers, which are typically governmental agencies, may also require several years prior experience in aircraft mechanical maintenance or inspection.
Careful examination of all equipment and parts of an aircraft are one of the main functions of this job. An aviation inspector looks for signs of damage, corrosion, or wear on the landing gear, fuselage, wings, and engine. Inspection of all doors, hatches, and access plates necessary for safe and secure flight is also required.
Any maintenance or repair work, modifications, or overhauls completed by qualified aircraft mechanics or technicians must also be inspected. An aviation inspector may also need to conduct flight tests in order to determine the proper functioning of instruments under different conditions while controlling the aircraft both manually and on auto-pilot. Any modifications to an aircraft must be documented and inspected.The responsibilities of this job may also include keeping detailed records and documents indicating when required inspections were conducted, if any repairs were made, and information on additional investigations that have been conducted.
Approval or denial of airworthiness certification for an aircraft lies in the hands of an aviation inspector. Other important responsibilities may include conducting investigations of aircraft accidents, proctoring examinations to ensure competency of all persons working on an aircraft, and assessing a pilot's flying skills to ensure conformance to current flight and safety regulations. An aviation inspector may also check ground crews and air traffic control personnel to ensure proper functioning of their equipment.