How to become a Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler 2024

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler is Also Know as

In different settings, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler is titled as

A&P Technician (Airframe and Powerplant Technician)
Aircraft Line Assembler
Assembler
Assembly Riveter
Helicopter Technician
Sheet Metal Assembler and Riveter (SMAR)
Sheet Metal Mechanic
Structures Mechanic
Structures Technician

Education and Training of Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler is categorized in Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Experience Required for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Education Required for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Degrees Related to Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler

Training Required for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Related Ocuupations

Some Ocuupations related to Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler in different industries are

What Do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler do?

Assemble prefabricated parts to form subassemblies.
Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points.
Align, fit, assemble, connect, or install system components, using jigs, fixtures, measuring instruments, hand tools, or power tools.
Join structural assemblies, such as wings, tails, or fuselage.
Layout and mark reference points and locations for installation of parts or components, using jigs, templates, or measuring and marking instruments.
Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
Fit and fasten sheet metal coverings to surface areas or other sections of aircraft prior to welding or riveting.
Clean, oil, or coat system components, as necessary, before assembly or attachment.
Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements, using sighting devices and hand tools.
Fabricate parts needed for assembly or installation, using shop machinery or equipment.
Set up or operate machines or systems to crimp, cut, bend, form, swage, flare, bead, burr, or straighten tubing, according to specifications.
Weld tubing and fittings or solder cable ends, using tack welders, induction brazing chambers, or other equipment.
Verify dimensions of cable assemblies or positions of fittings, using measuring instruments.
Mark identifying information on tubing or cable assemblies, using etching devices, labels, rubber stamps, or other methods.
Cut cables and tubing, using master templates, measuring instruments, and cable cutters or saws.
Swage fittings onto cables, using swaging machines.
Assemble prototypes or integrated-technology demonstrators of new or emerging environmental technologies for aircraft.
Capture or segregate waste material, such as aluminum swarf, machine cutting fluid, or solvents, for recycling or environmentally responsible disposal.
Clean aircraft structures, parts, or components, using aqueous, semi-aqueous, aliphatic hydrocarbon, or organic solvent cleaning products or techniques to reduce carbon or other harmful emissions.
Monitor robotic assembly equipment, such as snake-arm robots, used to assemble, seal, or swage aircraft structures.
Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.
Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.
Manually install structural assemblies or signal crane operators to position assemblies for joining.
Place and connect control cables to electronically controlled units, using hand tools, ring locks, cotter keys, threaded connectors, turnbuckles, or related devices.
Install mechanical linkages and actuators, using tensiometers to verify tension of cables.
Install accessories in swaging machines, using hand tools.
Splice cables, using clamps and fittings, or reweave cable strands.

Qualities of Good Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler

Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Finger Dexterity: The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Extent Flexibility: The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Speech Recognition: The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Speech Clarity: The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Multilimb Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Auditory Attention: The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Selective Attention: The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Perceptual Speed: The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Category Flexibility: The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Visual Color Discrimination: The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Hearing Sensitivity: The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Flexibility of Closure: The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Trunk Strength: The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
Fluency of Ideas: The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Static Strength: The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Dynamic Strength: The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
Depth Perception: The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Far Vision: The ability to see details at a distance.
Time Sharing: The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
Reaction Time: The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Stamina: The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
Rate Control: The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Gross Body Equilibrium: The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Originality: The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Gross Body Coordination: The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
Mathematical Reasoning: The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Number Facility: The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Speed of Closure: The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Wrist-Finger Speed: The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Sound Localization: The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
Spatial Orientation: The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
Glare Sensitivity: The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
Peripheral Vision: The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.
Night Vision: The ability to see under low-light conditions.
Speed of Limb Movement: The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
Response Orientation: The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
Memorization: The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
Explosive Strength: The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.
Dynamic Flexibility: The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Tools Used by Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler

Adhesive application robots
Alligator jaw compression riveters
Anti-vibration gloves
Arc welding equipment
Assembly robots
Autoriveters
Beading tools
Bearing installation tools
Bearing staking tools
Blind rivet guns
Brazing equipment
Burring tools
C-yoke compression riveters
Cable cutters
Case wrenches
Desktop computers
Dial calipers
Drafting templates
Electrochemical etching devices
First assembly jigs
Flange wrenches
Flaring tools
Fuel control wrenches
Fuel nozzle wrenches
Gear shaft wrenches
Hand clamps
Input wrenches
Line reamers
Material guiding jigs
Metal bending equipment
Metal bucking bars
Micrometers
Milling machines
Mylar index templates
Nut wrenches
Offset screwdrivers
Overhead cranes
Pin protrusion gauges
Pipe bending mandrels
Pneumatic drills
Power drills
Power hoists
Power saws
Power screwguns
Precision tapered reamers
Protective ear muffs
Protective ear plugs
Ratcheting box wrenches
Ratchets
Recoilless rivet hammers
Rivet guns
Safety glasses
Safety gloves
Setup templates
Single-cut mill saw files
Soldering irons
Spanner wrenches
Spline key wrenches
Spot welding equipment
Straight screwdrivers
Swaging tools
Tack welding equipment
Tensiometers
Thickness gauges
Torque drivers
Trunnion centering tools
Trunnion wrenches
Tube crimping tools
Ultrasonic inspection equipment
Welding hoods
Welding robots

Technology Skills required for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler

Computer aided design CAD software
Electrical power management system software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word
SAP software
Spreadsheet software
Word processing software

US Universities

How to become Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler in 2024