Onboarding plan
Aircraft Mechanic Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new aircraft mechanic from first day to full productivity.
Aircraft Mechanic onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: FAA A&P certificate, Inspection Authorization (IA) (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: calibrated torque wrenches; safety wire pliers; borescopes; rivet guns and bucking bars
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Aircraft Mechanic training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Follow tool control and FOD prevention every shift
- Use fall protection on stands and aircraft surfaces
- Stay clear of engine intakes, exhausts and propellers
- Use respirators and gloves with fuel, solvents and composites
- Shadow an experienced aircraft mechanic through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: safety wire a pair of bolts
- Supervised practice: make a maintenance logbook entry
- Supervised practice: conduct a FOD walk
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Perform scheduled inspections such as annual, 100-hour and airline checks: independently
- Diagnose mechanical, electrical and hydraulic problems: independently
- Repair or replace engines, landing gear, brakes and components: independently
- Repair aircraft structures and sheet metal: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, FAA A&P certificate)
- Discuss the career path: Aviation Maintenance Apprentice or Helper → A&P Mechanic → Lead Mechanic, Inspector or IA
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Wire a Pair of Bolts | |||
| Make a Maintenance Logbook Entry | |||
| Conduct a FOD Walk | |||
| Aircraft systems and inspections | |||
| FAA regulations and documentation | |||
| Engine (powerplant) maintenance | |||
| Sheet metal and structures |
How to measure onboarding success
- Time to independent work orders
- Comeback, rework or scrap rate
- Billable or productive hours versus target
- 90-day retention
How Aircraft Mechanic training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Aircraft Mechanic Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Aircraft Mechanic Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Aircraft Mechanic Career
- Final Knowledge Check