Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7232

Aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician

Aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technicians perform overhaul, maintenance and repair work on gas turbine engines. They disassemble, inspect, clean, repair and reassemble the engines using engine-specific tooling.

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Rate 5 of the 20 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

bolt engine parts

troubleshoot

align components

use power tools

wear appropriate protective gear

About aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician

As an aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician, you perform specialized maintenance and repair work that is essential to keeping aircraft safely in the sky. You work in dedicated overhaul facilities where you completely disassemble complex gas turbine engines down to their individual components, meticulously inspect each part for wear and damage, clean them to exacting standards, perform repairs or replacements as needed, and carefully reassemble them using specialized engine-specific tools. This role demands exceptional attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and strong problem-solving skills, as even the smallest assembly error could compromise flight safety. Your work involves reading detailed engineering drawings, using precision hand tools and power equipment, identifying signs of corrosion and material fatigue, and ensuring that every bolt, washer, and component meets strict quality standards. Aircraft engine overhaul is a highly skilled trade that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern diagnostic technology, offering stable employment and the deep satisfaction of knowing your work directly protects the lives of thousands of passengers.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician.

1

Engine Disassembly and Component Inspection

  • Completely disassemble gas turbine engines into individual components following technical specifications
  • Inspect all engine components for wear, damage, corrosion, and material degradation
  • Identify signs of corrosion and take appropriate preventive measures
  • Document condition of each component and determine if repair or replacement is needed
  • Test component functionality using specialized testing equipment
2

Cleaning and Component Processing

  • Clean engine components to exacting standards using approved cleaning methods and materials
  • Perform precision cleaning of critical surfaces to remove contaminants and debris
  • Apply protective coatings and finishes as required by technical specifications
  • Organize and catalog components for efficient reassembly and inventory control
3

Component Repair and Replacement

  • Perform repairs on defective engine components using specialized repair techniques
  • Replace worn or damaged components with new or overhauled parts meeting specifications
  • Troubleshoot component problems and create solutions to performance issues
  • Perform rework on components to restore them to serviceable condition
4

Engine Reassembly and Testing

  • Re-assemble gas turbine engines using engine-specific tooling and precision techniques
  • Align all components precisely to manufacturer specifications and tolerances
  • Fasten and secure all components using correct fastening procedures and torque specifications
  • Adjust tightness of engine parts to precise specifications to ensure proper operation
  • Perform final testing and verification that engine meets all performance specifications
5

Technical Documentation and Compliance

  • Read and interpret detailed engineering drawings and technical specifications
  • Document all work performed on engines with detailed records and technical notes
  • Use technical documentation to guide disassembly, repair, and reassembly procedures
  • Maintain compliance with quality standards and apply health and safety standards
6

Tool Handling and Equipment Operation

  • Use specialized hand tools and engine-specific tooling with precision and care
  • Operate power tools and machinery safely according to established procedures
  • Maintain tools and equipment in proper working condition
  • Wear appropriate protective gear and follow all safety protocols during all operations

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (20)

aircraft mechanicsaircraft mechanicsTechnicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repais in aircrafts.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.common aviation safety regulationscommon aviation safety regulationsThe body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.engine componentsengine componentsThe different engine components, their operation, lifecycle and maintenance and repairing needs.bolt engine partsbolt engine partsSecurely bolt together engine components manually or using power tools.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.align componentsalign componentsAlign and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.use power toolsuse power toolsOperate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.re-assemble enginesre-assemble enginesRe-assemble transport equipment engines after overhaul, inspection, repair, maintenace or cleaning according to blueprints and technical plans.recognise signs of corrosionrecognise signs of corrosionRecognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.read engineering drawingsread engineering drawingsRead the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.adjust tightness of engine partsadjust tightness of engine partsTighten or unscrew engine parts using hand and power tools; maintenance of tubing, casing and connecting rods.fasten componentsfasten componentsFasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.disassemble enginesdisassemble enginesDisassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.operation of different enginesoperation of different enginesThe characteristics, maintenance requirements and operating procedures of various kinds of engines such as gas, diesel, electrical, and engines with steam propulsion plants.apply health and safety standardsapply health and safety standardsAdhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
Optional (19) — show
engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.electromechanicselectromechanicsThe engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that creat...rivet typesrivet typesThe various types of rivets used in manufacturing, such as solid head rivets, blind rivets, drive rivets, semi-tubular rivets, oscar rivets, flush rivets, and others.repair enginesrepair enginesRepair identified problems with internal combustion engines, external combustion engines and electrical motors. Replace and fix faulty parts by using hand and machine tools.operate welding equipmentoperate welding equipmentUse welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, wearing protective eyewear during the working process.record test datarecord test dataRecord data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptiona...operate precision measuring equipmentoperate precision measuring equipmentMeasure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, an...diagnose defective enginesdiagnose defective enginesDiagnose engine damage or malfunctions by inspecting mechanical equipment; utilise instruments such as chassis charts, pressure gauges, and motor analysers.operate handheld riveting equipmentoperate handheld riveting equipmentOperate various kinds of tools and equipment used in riveting processes, such a pin hammer and a rivet set, handheld squeezers, a hammer and bucking bar, a pneumatic hammer, a rivet gun, and others.use testing equipmentuse testing equipmentUse equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.conduct performance testsconduct performance testsConduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditi...operate lifting equipmentoperate lifting equipmentTransport heavy objects using lifting equipment such as cranes, forklifts etc.liaise with engineersliaise with engineersCollaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.tend riveting machinetend riveting machineTend a metalworking machine designed to join metal pieces by automatically shooting mechanical fasteners, rivets, into them, monitor and operate it according to regulations.position engine on test standposition engine on test standPosition the engine on a stand or in a cell, ready for testing, by using a hoist or overhead crane.evaluate engine performanceevaluate engine performanceRead and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.operate soldering equipmentoperate soldering equipmentUse soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.write records for repairswrite records for repairsWrite records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.

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Frequently asked questions

What does an aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician do?

Aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technicians perform overhaul, maintenance and repair work on gas turbine engines. They disassemble, inspect, clean, repair and reassemble the engines using engine-specific tooling.

What skills does an aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician need?

An aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician needs 20 essential skills, including aircraft mechanics, quality standards, common aviation safety regulations, mechanics, engine components.

Will AI replace aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician jobs?

The AI disruption score for aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician is 37/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record test data, quality standards, keep records of work progress. Most resilient: operate welding equipment, operate handheld riveting equipment, aircraft mechanics.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupMetal, machinery and related trades workers
Essential Skills20

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