Aerospace Industry Association of British Columbia

Aviation Machinist (CAMC)

Aviation Machinists specialize in the manufacture of parts and components (tooling/jigs) that are used to build, modify or repair an aircraft. Aviation machinists are trades people who work in a team or individually to fabricate, repair, rework or modify aircraft parts, components and specialized tooling. They accomplish their work by using complex machinery to maintain the preciseness of the work. They have in-depth knowledge of material working behavior. They must also be familiar with exotic and specialized materials used in the aviation industry. The technician uses complex procedures and machine tools to shape metal to exacting standards and close tolerances. Aviation Machinists will work many different materials and many different processes common to the aviation field. They will work extensively with aluminum alloys, titanium, stainless and specialty steels. They will also work with other exotic and composition materials not normally found in the general machining fields. Aviation machinists must be able to read engineering drawings, and be intuitive to the thought process of developing and carrying out the steps required to machine parts or components. They should be able to think on their feet and be able to use the tools at hand. Many times, machinists are called on in the design phase of a project because of their knowledge of materials, processes and fabrication techniques.

An Aviation Machinists designation may work or qualify as:

Engine Shop Technician
Machinist

Click on the topics below:

What Certifications are Required?
What Are The Core Competencies of the Position?
What Type of Work Experience is Required Beyond Certification?
What are the Wages?
What are the Working Conditions?
Where are the Jobs?

WHAT CERTIFICATIONS ARE REQUIRED?
Diploma: None Apprenticeship: A minimum of 5 years apprenticeship training and on-the-job training experience together with industry or community college courses are required. Licensing: Certification from CAMC Recurrent Training: Employer determined.
WHAT ARE THE CORE COMPETENCIES OF THE POSITION?
The following core competencies are required: Safety Basic knowledge Bench work Sawing Drilling machine operations Lathe operation Milling Jig and Horizontal boring Grinding Electrical Discharge Machines (EDM) Computerized Numerical Control machining (CNC) Fluent written and verbal English is mandatory
WHAT TYPE OF WORK EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED BEYOND CERTIFICATION?
Beyond the required education and training, a machinist can expect a further 3 years of concentrated "on-the-job" learning time to achieve competence on this job.
WHAT ARE THE WAGES?
Apprentice: $14.00 - $24.00 per hour Machinist: $21.00 - $31.00 per hour
WHAT ARE THE WORKING CONDITIONS?
The aviation machinist will be under pressure to get the job done quickly. The parts and components on which they work are expensive and this can also place a great deal of pressure and stress on the individual.
WHERE ARE THE JOBS?
The Aviation Machinist is a critical member in propulsion and hydraulic shops. A Machinist can expect to work in both major airlines and large repair, overhaul maintenance operations.