Helicopter engineer
Transport

Related videos on a helicopter engineer

How to become a helicopter engineer

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• a graduate training scheme
• the armed forces

University

You'll need an engineering qualification and maintenance experience to apply for a licence to become a helicopter engineer.

You'll usually need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in aerospace engineering, avionics, or a related subject like:

• aeronautical engineering
• electrical or electronic engineering
• mechanical engineering
• manufacturing or product engineering
• physics or applied physics
• software engineering or mathematics

University (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include the Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering.

College (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through an aircraft maintenance certifying engineering higher apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Other routes

The way into this job is usually through an aircraft engineering company, some of which offer graduate training schemes. Flight engineering experience gained in the armed forces may count towards your licence application.

More info

Further information You can find out more about becoming a helicopter engineer from The British Helicopter Association.

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
• persistence and determination
• the ability to repair machines or systems
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restriction & Requirements

You'll need a Part-66 engineering licence issued through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

There are different categories to the licence, depending on the type of work you want to do, but common ones are:

• B1 mechanical – for work on an aircraft’s structure and electrical systems
• B2 avionics – for work on navigation, communication and electronic instruments

What you'll do

Day to day

Your day-to-day duties may include: 

• carrying out scheduled inspection and maintenance checks
• finding and fixing faults
• reporting defects to the maintenance manager
• making sure aircraft meet flight safety regulations
• working on aircraft and instrument modifications
• refitting aircraft
• responding to repair call outs 
• recording completed work 

Working environment

You could work at an airport or on an aircraft. Your working environment may be you'll travel often and physically demanding.

Career path and progression

Career path & progression

With experience you could become a maintenance engineering manager or senior design engineer, working on modifications and enhancements to aircraft.