Technical Performance Standards
Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT) use cognitive, sensory and psycho-motor domains in the performance of duties as an AMT. Students are held to these standards when participating in all lab projects so performance standards have been developed which apply to all Aviation Maintenance Technician Courses in the EFSC AMTS programs.
Students should personally determine whether they are able to comply with each of the standards.
Students who believe reasonable accommodations would allow them to meet the following standards should speak to the SAIL Accessibility Services office at EFSC. Determination will be made on an individual basis as to whether accommodations may be reasonably made. Students with disabilities are highly encouraged to work closely with the SAIL accessibility team to determine their appropriate course of action.
Click a category to view the standard.
Computational Skills: Must have the cognitive ability to accurately calculate weight, area, length, volume as it relates to the aircraft.
Language: Must be able to read and follow written and verbal instructions; and write coherently using proper spelling. Examples: understand and properly respond to verbal and written reported aircraft deficiencies and enter corrective actions in maintenance log books.
Critical Thinking: Must be able to display sound judgment, reasoning, discernment and decision-making abilities, even under significant time constraints. Examples: correcting a pilot reported aircraft discrepancy while keeping the aircraft flights on time in accordance with its schedule and the ability to determine when to delay or ground an aircraft from further flight.
Gross Motor Skills: Must have gross motor skills sufficient to operate equipment and maneuver aircraft & equipment in close proximity to each other. Examples: standing for long periods at a time, moving in small cramped spaces, the ability to reach items above, around and below obstacles, crawl, stand, squat and lie in uncomfortable positions for a long period of time and to lift a minimum of 50 pounds, etc.
Fine Motor Skills: Must have fine motor skills sufficient to perform specific duties; Examples: turning dials, opening/closing valves, moving switches, and installing parts that have a critical close tolerance fit.
Endurance: Must have stamina sufficient for sustained physically demanding activities; Examples: holding a heavy component in place while being secured, working shifts with very little time to sit due to nature of duties, etc.
Tactile Abilities: Must be able to perform physical assessments and procedures which require touch; Examples: feeling, identifying the consistency, texture and edges of aircraft components, proper insertion of parts into locations that are not visible, identifying resistance when proceeding would pose potential damage or result in incorrect installation, etc.
Visual Abilities: Must have adequate distance, close and peripheral vision, be able to identify colors and patterns, and have adequate depth perception; Examples: reading tool calibrations, interpreting aircraft operator handwriting, being aware of the operational changes resulting from maintenance performed, etc.
Hearing Abilities: Must have hearing adequate for assessments and avoidance of danger and injury; Examples: aircraft warning systems, coworkers calling out, awareness of the difference between normal and abnormal equipment sounds, etc.
In addition, to the above-identified standards, Aviation Maintenance students must demonstrate:
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.
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.
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 there is a problem.
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.
Multi-limb 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.
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Hearing Sensitivity — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretch, twist or reach with your body, arms and/or legs.
Applicants for the EFSC Aviation Maintenance Technician program must meet the following physical requirements.
- Ability to follow all safety standards in the lab
- Lift 50 pounds up to eye level without assistance
- Communicate orally with a person 6-10 feet away
- Must be able to diagnose mechanical failures that are distinguished audibly
- Must be able to visually read information retrieved from various informational sources, computers and manuals
- Endure exposure to petroleum products, lubricants and aircraft cleaning agents.
- Adapt to duty times during evening, nights and weekends when necessary.
- Must have required tools for use throughout the course of study