AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY (AMT) · titles and codes assigned to the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program are ... and Aircraft Maintenance ... Aviation Maintenance Technology

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AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY (AMT)

December 2011 Needs Assessment

Prepared by Elisa Lewis Date: December 12, 2011 Aviation Maintenance Technology

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Scope Data compiled in this report covers San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. Data were drawn from external sources, including the Employment Development Department’s California Labor Market Information and the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and Chaffey College’s Colleague Administrative database.

Data Sources and Calculations Educational Program Data

TOP Code Program of Study

0950.10 Aviation Airframe Mechanics

0950.20 Aviation Powerplant Mechanics

The Taxonomy of Programs (TOP) is a standardized system used at the state level to classify programs and courses that are intended to achieve the same outcome at California Community Colleges. The TOP titles and codes assigned to the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program are broken down into two sub-programs, which are, Aviation Airframe Mechanics - 0950.10, and Aviation Powerplant Mechanics – 0950.20.

CIP Code Program of Study

47.0607 Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician

47.0608 Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is a standardized coding system used at the federal level to facilitate accurate tracking, assessment, and reporting of fields of study and program completion at educational institutions throughout the country. The CIP title and code associated with the Aviation Airframe Mechanics TOP Code is Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician - 47.0607, and the CIP title and code associated with the Aviation Powerplant Mechanics TOP Code is Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician – 47.0608. All educational program data in this report are based on these TOP and CIP codes.

Occupational Data

SOC Code Occupational Title

Aviation Airframe Mechanics

49.2091 Avionics Technicians

49.3011 Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

51.2011 Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Aviation Powerplant Mechanics

49.3011 Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

51.2011 Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is used by federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories. The SOC codes and titles associated with Aviation Airframe Mechanics are: 49.2091 – Avionics Technicians, 49.3011 – Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians,

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51.2011 – and Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers. The SOC codes and titles associated with Aviation Powerplant Mechanics are: 49.3011 – Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, and 51.2011 – Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers.

Industry Data The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is used by federal statistical agencies to classify business establishments for the purpose of conducting and reporting research on the U.S. business economy. Using the Standard Occupational Classification codes listed above, associated NAICS industries were identified.

Educational Program to Occupation Crosswalk The TOP-CIP-SOC Crosswalk (Employment Development Department, 2007) was used in this report to map California Community College-specific Taxonomy of Program (TOP) codes to federal Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) and Standard Occupational Classifications (SOC) codes. This crosswalk allows the user to estimate labor market demand for California Community College program completers using SOC based projections from the Labor Market Information Division.

Completions Data Degree and certificate data regarding students at Chaffey College were collected from the Colleague Administrative database. Degree and certificate data for all comparison schools were collected from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). All comparison institutions included in this report are postsecondary and have provided data to the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). IPEDS defines postsecondary education as a formal program designed primarily for students beyond high school age. These include academic, vocational, and continuing professional education, and exclude a vocational and adult basic education programs.

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Introduction and Contents Contents Background Information…………………………………………… 5 Regional Job Outlook……………………………… 8 Largest and Fastest Growing Industry Employers……………………………………………11 Regional Graduation Summary……………………15 Chaffey College’s Performance on Core Indicators……………. 17 Map of Selected Regional Employers and Competitor Institutions …… 18

Purpose and Goals Chaffey College currently offers two degrees and two certificate options in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program: Airframe and Powerplant. All Associate Degree and Certificates in either Airframe or Powerplant require 40 semester units. The 2011-2012 College Catalog Aviation Maintenance Technology program description reads as follows: “This program provides the training needed to become an Aviation Maintenance Technician. Students who successfully complete the program will have the experience required by the Federal Aviation Administration for certification as an Airframe or Powerplant Mechanic. Airframe and Powerplant technicians are in demand by airlines and aviation maintenance providers. The Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Chaffey College is fully approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide the 1900 hours of experience required to become an Airframe or Powerplant technician. Students may earn an Associate degree and/or separate college certificates in Airframe or Powerplant.” The purpose of this report is to integrate and analyze data from multiple sources to determine labor market needs for the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Chaffey College.

Regional Definitions Inland Empire includes the Riverside-San

Bernardino-Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Los Angeles County includes the Los Angeles-

Long Beach-Glendale Metro Division

Orange County includes the Santa Ana-

Anaheim-Irvine Metro Division

Key Terms and Concepts Replacement Jobs: Replacement jobs refer to

the number of job openings due to workers leaving an occupation.

Annual Openings: Annual openings are

calculated by adding the number of new jobs to the number of replacement jobs, divided by the number of years in the projection period.

Projections: Projections of employment are

calculated by the Employment Development Department and are based on a mathematical formula that includes historical employment and economic indicators along with national, state, and local trends.

Occupation: Jobs are grouped into occupations

using the federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Industry: Occupations are grouped into industries

using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

Wages: Hourly wages are reported in percentiles

and averages. The 25th percentile is a useful proxy of entry-level wages and the 75th percentile of experienced-level wages.

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Background Information


Aviation Airframe Mechanics programs prepare students to inspect, repair, service, maintain, and

overhaul of airframes and aircraft systems. The program is designed to meet the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) requirements for licensing as an airframe mechanic.1


Aviation Powerplant Mechanics programs prepare students to inspect, repair, service, maintain,

and overhaul aircraft engines and engine systems. The program is designed to meet the Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for licensing as a powerplant mechanic.1

Avionics Technicians2

Avionics Technicians install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

Typical Tasks

Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.

Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.

Keep records of maintenance and repair work.

Coordinate work with that of engineers, technicians, and other aircraft maintenance personnel.

Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.

Install electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems in aircraft, using hand tools, power tools, or soldering irons.

Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.

Connect components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refueling systems, using hand tools and soldering irons.

Assemble components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes, using hand tools or soldering irons.

Fabricate parts and test aids as required.

1 California Community Colleges, Chancellor’s Office, Taxonomy of Programs, Sixth Edition (Corrected Version). 2 O*Net Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/find

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2 O*Net Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/find

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians2

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians diagnose, adjust, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Typical Tasks

Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.

Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.

Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.

Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.

Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.

Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.

Maintain, repair, and rebuild aircraft structures, functional components, and parts such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, and seals.

Measure the tension of control cables.

Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.

Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.

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2 O*Net Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/find

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers2

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers 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.

Typical Tasks

Align and fit structural assemblies manually, or signal crane operators to position assemblies for joining.

Assemble and fit prefabricated parts to form subassemblies.

Assemble, install, and connect parts, fittings, and assemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, and fasteners such as bolts, screws, rivets, and clamps.

Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points.

Cut, trim, file, bend, and smooth parts, and verify sizes and fitting tolerances in order to ensure proper fit and clearance of parts.

Read and interpret blueprints, illustrations, and specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities and relationships of parts.

Align, fit, assemble, connect, and install system components, using jigs, fixtures, measuring instruments, hand tools, and power tools.

Join structural assemblies such as wings, tails, and fuselage.

Layout and mark reference points and locations for installation of parts and components, using jigs, templates, and measuring and marking instruments.

Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts and assemblies to eliminate malfunctions and to ensure proper operation.

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Regional Job Outlook

Projected Regional Job Outlook

The table below displays 2008 - 2018 employment projections for Avionics Technicians, Aircraft

Mechanics and Service Technicians, and Aircraft, Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers.

Job openings for Avionics Technicians are projected to have little or no change across regions of

California over the next ten years. Projected job openings for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

are projected to be “declining slowly” in one of our four counties of interest, Los Angeles County.

Meanwhile, projected job growth in the remaining three counties is considered growing “slower than

average”. In the state of California, “little or no change” is projected. Job projections for Aircraft Structure,

Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers are “growing more slowly than average” in Los Angeles

County. Meanwhile, Orange County and the state of California projects “little or no change” in

employment growth rate.

Total

Estimated 2008 Jobs

Total Projected 2018 Jobs

Projected Growth (%)

Ave. Annual New Job Openings

Ave. Annual Replacement Job Openings

Ave. Annual Total Job Openings

Avionics Technicians

State of California 1,600 1,600 0 (0%) 0 40 40

Inland Empire -- -- -- -- -- --

Los Angeles CO 880 900 20 (2.3%) 2 15 17

Orange CO -- -- -- -- -- --

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

State of California 11,400 11,300 -100 (-.9%) -10 230 220

Inland Empire 850 880 30 (3.5%) 3 16 19

Los Angeles CO 3,590 3,460 -130 (-3.6%) -13 83 70

Orange CO 280 290 10 (3.6%) 1 5 6

Aircraft, Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, & Systems Assemblers

State of California 3,600 3,600 0 (0%) 0 80 80

Inland Empire -- -- -- -- -- --

Los Angeles CO 2,560 2700 140 (5.5%) 14 54 68

Orange CO 110 110 0 (0%) 0 2 2

“--“ Indicates there are no data available.

Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Occupation Profile, on the Internet at:

http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/ (visited December 12, 2011).

http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/

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Projected Regional Job Growth

The graphs below show the projected growth from 2008 to 2018 of Avionics Technicians, Aircraft

Mechanics and Service Technicians, and Aircraft, Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler

jobs. As the mentioned above, there is little to no change in job growth for Avionics Technicians. Aircraft

Mechanics and Services Technician is slowly declining in Los Angeles, experiencing little to no change in

the state of California, and increasing in the Inland Empire and Orange County. Aircraft, Structure,

Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler jobs are growing more slowly than average in Los Angeles

County during this ten-year time period.



0

10

20

30

40

50

California Inland Empire

Los Angeles County

Orange County

% G

row

th


-10

0

10

20

30

40


Los Angeles County

Orange County

% G

row

th

Aircraft Mechanics and Services Technicians

0

10

20

30

40

50


Los Angeles County

Orange County

% G

row

th



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Regional Hourly Wages

This table displays the First Quarter 2011 hourly wage statistics for Avionics Technicians, Aircraft

Mechanics and Service Technicians, and Aircraft, Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers.

While wage averages are comparable between Avionic Technicians and Aircraft mechanics and Service

Technicians, wage averages are less than half the hourly rate for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging

and Systems Assemblers.

Mean Hourly Rate 25th

Percentile Median Hourly Rate 75th

Percentile


State of California $26.99 $23.36 $27.42 $31.54

Inland Empire $29.17 $24.63 $29.62 $34.83

Los Angeles CO $26.65 $23.16 $26.85 $30.89

Orange CO $21.22 $12.37 $22.40 $28.22



Inland Empire $30.32 $23.59 $31.45 $37.71

Los Angeles CO $28.37 $24.02 $28.36 $32.40

Orange CO $25.03 $19.07 $24.96 $30.12



Inland Empire -- -- -- --

Los Angeles CO $18.31 $13.40 $16.21 $21.93

Orange CO -- -- -- --

“--“ Indicates there are no data available.




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Largest and Fastest Growing Industry Employers

Largest Industry Employers of Aviation Maintenance Technology-Related Occupations

The graphs below display the 2008 staffing patterns of the largest industries employing Avionics

Technicians, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, and Aircraft, Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and

Systems Assemblers across the state of California. There are at least three industries employing each

occupation with Aerospace Products & Parts Manufacturing and Electronics Instrument Manufacturing

showing the most prominent numbers across occupations.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600


0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000


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Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Staffing Patterns, on the Internet at:

http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/iomatrix/staffing-patterns1.asp (visited December 12, 2011).

Change Over Time of the Largest Industry Employers of Aviation Maintenance

Technology-Related Occupations

The graphs below displays projections of staffing changes from 2008-2018 within the largest industries

employing Avionics Technicians, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, and Aircraft, Structure,

Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in the state of California. A single industry employing

Avionics Technicians is expected to increase the number of positions available over the next ten years.

Similarly, a single industry employer of Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians is projected to

increase the number of positions available over the next ten years. Two industry employers of Aircraft,

Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers project employment growth over the next ten

years.

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

Aircraft, Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers

http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/iomatrix/staffing-patterns1.asp

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-50%

-25%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%


-25%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%


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Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Staffing Patterns, on the Internet at:

http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/iomatrix/staffing-patterns1.asp (visited December 12, 2011).

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/iomatrix/staffing-patterns1.asp

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Regional Graduation Summary

Education and Training3

Preparation for a career as an Avionics Technician includes training in vocational schools, related on-the-

job experience or an Associate’s Degree. Previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience is

required. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Preparation for a career as an Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician includes previous work-related

skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have

completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must

have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. Employees in these occupations usually need

one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced

workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. This

occupation may require a background in the following: science, technology, engineering, and

mathematics (STEM) educational disciplines.

Preparation for a career as an Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assembler requires

some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. These occupations usually

require a high school diploma. 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.

3 O*Net Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/find.

http://online.onetcenter.org/find

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Regional Completers in Aviation Maintenance Technology-Related Programs

The table below displays the number of program completers in the 2009-10 academic year at regional

institutions offering Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician and Aircraft

Powerplant Technology/Technician programs. Besides Chaffey, there are 8 institutions offering

certificates and two year degrees below the baccalaureate level in Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft

Maintenance Technology/Technician. Overall, these institutions produced 4 < 1 year certificates, 93 1 to <

2 year certificates, 26 associate’s degrees, and 175 2 to <4 year certificates. In addition, there are 5

institutions, besides Chaffey, offering certificates and degrees below the baccalaureate level in Aircraft

Powerplant Technology/Technician. Together, these institutions produced 80 1 to < 2 year certificates

and 4 associate’s degrees.

Institution Name

Award Level

< 1 year Certificate 1 to < 2 year Certificate

Associate’s Degree

2 to < 4 year Certificate

Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician

Chaffey College -- 28 2 --

Antelope Valley 3 0 2 --

Crimson Technical College

-- 3 -- 167

Long Beach City -- 0 6 --

Mt. San Antonio -- 10 5 0

Orange Coast 1 4 4 8

San Bernardino Valley

-- 26 2 --

Victor Valley -- 0 0 --

West Los Angeles -- 22 5 0

Total 4 93 26 175

Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician

Chaffey College -- 37 3 --

Antelope Valley -- 3 1 --

Mt. San Antonio -- 6 -- --

Orange Coast -- 1 -- --

San Bernardino Valley

-- 10 -- --

West Los Angeles -- 23 -- --

Total -- 80 4 --

1 National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, on the

Internet at: http://www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ (visited December 13, 2011).

http://www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

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Chaffey College’s Performance on Core Indicators

The Perkins IV Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 mandates that all state and

local postsecondary institutions provide data on six core performance indicators for their career and

technical education programs. These indicators are: 1) Technical Skill Attainment; 2) Completions; 3)

Persistence and Transfer; 4) Employment; 5) Nontraditional Participation; and 6) Nontraditional

Completion. Performance goals are set at the state and local levels and progress is monitored based on a

comparison between the actual percentage of students who master each performance area and the

negotiated levels of performance.

2011-2012 Chaffey College Performance on Core Indicators

The table below displays negotiated and actual core performance indicator levels for all Chaffey College

students classified under the Aviation Maintenance Technology TOP code. Chaffey students achieved

below district and state negotiated levels on two core indicators and above district and state negotiated

levels on 1 core indicator.

Core Performance Indicators

Negotiated Level Chaffey College

Performance

Percent Above or Below District

Negotiated Level State District


Core 1 – Technical Skill Attainment 88.81% 90.54% 93.75% 3.2

Core 2 – Completions- Credential, Certificate, Degree, or Transfer Ready

82.05% 82.05% 100% 18.0

Core 3 – Persistence and Transfer 85.96% 85.96% 81.25% -4.7

Core 4 – Employment 82.21% 82.21% 88.89% 6.7

Core 5a – Non-traditional Participation 20.37% 20.37% 6.25% -14.1

Core 5b – Non-traditional Completions 22.10% 22.42% 4.55% -17.9


Core 1 – Technical Skill Attainment 88.81% 90.54% 97.62% 7.1

Core 2 – Completions- Credential, Certificate, Degree, or Transfer Ready

82.05% 82.05% 96.77% 14.7

Core 3 – Persistence and Transfer 85.96% 85.96% 83.33% -2.6

Core 4 – Employment 82.21% 82.21% 87.50% 5.3

Core 5a – Non-traditional Participation 20.37% 20.37% 4.76% -15.6

Core 5b – Non-traditional Completions 22.10% 22.42% 6.67% -15.8

Source: CA Community Colleges Reporting Services, Aviation Maintenance Technology, College Core Indicator Information by 6-

Digit TOP (2011-2012).

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Map of Regional Employers and Competitor Institutions

The Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing industry employs all three of the occupations associated with the Chaffey College Aviation

Maintenance Technology program. The map below illustrates the location of all employers in the Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing

industry (133 in Los Angeles County, 57 in Orange County, 17 in San Bernardino Country, and 9 in Riverside County) across the four counties of

interest. Also included in the map are the campus locations of Chaffey Community College District sites as well as competitor schools offering

similar degrees or certificates.

Documents

AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY (AMT) · titles and codes assigned to the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program are ... and Aircraft Maintenance ... Aviation Maintenance Technology