With an A&P certificate, you could work on aircraft or even behind-the-scenes in one of many different roles. Most people don’t realize that there are career opportunities available beyond performing aircraft maintenance. Last week, we explored what Maintenance Controllers do (Read it HERE), and this week let’s check out the purview of a Maintenance Planning Coordinator.

Maintenance Planning Coordinators work on a living puzzle. Analytical skills come in handy when interpreting detailed aircraft maintenance reports to help forecast scheduled maintenance for that day and looking as far as 18 days out. The Coordinator needs to be aware of the manpower available at each Tech Ops facility as well as what tools and parts are available to help craft and coordinate the scheduled maintenance plan.

Of course, as new information becomes available, the plan might need to change. A Maintenance Planning Coordinator may decide to defer some maintenance, within the requirements of the approved maintenance program, to provide relief during Irregular Operations. Or, some scheduled maintenance might be deferred to maximize another opportunity when requested by a maintenance supervisor or station manager. Timely, accurate analysis is crucial in the Coordinator’s role as final authority for deferring tasks and coming up with realistic solutions to achieve performance goals.

During a typical week, a Maintenance Planning Coordinator will work four 10 hour days, and the Coordinators all take turns rotating weekends. Like Maintenance Controllers, Maintenance Planning Coordinators work in the Systems Operation Center located at our headquarters in Appleton, WI, alongside Aircraft Dispatchers and Crew Schedulers.

While an A&P certificate is not required for this position, it is desired and will make you stand out as a candidate. Explore this opportunity and all of our career opportunities HERE.

Read on to learn about Technical Auditors HERE.