What are aviation safety jobs like?


The word “safety” may feel synonymous with hall monitor for a lot of people. Like any uniformed position, jobs in aviation safety are more of a call of duty. Air safety is a vital part of getting people off the ground and back down to it without falling to harm. They fight the weather, human error, and mechanical failure. They cut through the brambles of complicated communication that could be fatal if misunderstood. And they master incredible knowledge to care for the flock of aircraft that find shelter at their home base. 

When you hear “aviation safety”, think of “safety” in the heroic sense. These brave people take on a great deal of responsibility—and protect people every day they go to work. They are David against the Goliath of accidents that could befall hundreds of people. The question is, are you fit for the duty? We’ll help you figure that out. 

What is aviation safety?

Aviation safety jobs use multiple approaches to ensure the safety of aircraft, aircraft operations, airspace, flight traffic, or other aviation-related elements. It can even include how passengers behave and the rules of in-flight conduct. 

Aviation safety professions apply advanced study and training, best practices and procedures, regulations, and rigorous investigation. Aviation safety specialists can also help after a tragedy occurs, helping makes sense of failures and accidents. Understanding what happened to a flight that had problems or crashed helps prevent the same occurrences in the future. 

What are some aviation safety jobs?

AVIATION SAFETY SPECIALIST

Transfer the experience you have into helping the over 5,000 flights in the air at any time travel safely. Safety specialists have a wide variety of jobs, particularly in doing mechanical, computer, and safety checks. 

Training: B.S. in Aviation Studies

There are also online education opportunities at LETU to earn your Aviation Studies B.S. in your time. 

What is aviation safety? 

Aviation safety jobs use multiple approaches to ensure the safety of aircraft, aircraft operations, airspace, flight traffic, or other aviation-related elements. It can even include how passengers behave and the rules of in-flight conduct. 

Aviation safety professions apply advanced study and training, best practices and procedures, regulations, and rigorous investigation. Aviation safety specialists can also help after a tragedy occurs, helping makes sense of failures and accidents. Understanding what happened to a flight that had problems or crashed helps prevent the same occurrences in the future. 

What are some aviation safety jobs? 

AVIATION SAFETY SPECIALIST

Transfer the experience you have into helping the over 5,000 flights in the air at any time travel safely. Safety specialists have a wide variety of jobs, particularly in doing mechanical, computer, and safety checks. 

Training: B.S. in Aviation Studies

There are also online education opportunities at LETU to earn your Aviation Studies B.S. in your time. 

AVIATION SAFETY ANALYST

Analysts help understand the data related to aviation safety. Not only do they analyze existing aircraft for safety risks, but they also help design and plan these analyses. This is a great role for people who like research, are good at mathematics, and can see the big picture in data points. 

Analysts can work in a variety of agencies. For example, the work you contribute can help innovate for air traffic systems, like the US National Airspace System (NAS). Systems and concepts engineering needs safety expertise.

AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR

If you don’t like sitting at a desk, consider stretching your legs as an inspector. Aviation safety inspectors do their share of paperwork, but duties range depending on the exact role. Ultimately, inspectors help evaluate safety to meet Federal Aviation Regulations.

Want to work for NASA? Inspectors work in a range of specialties. To become an avionics specialist (that’s the electronic systems used on aircraft—and even spacecraft and satellites!), consider a B.S. in Aviation Maintenance Science with a concentration in electrical technology

Other cool jobs in Aviation with an Electrical Concentration: 

  • Avionics designer or engineer

  • Specialist in customizing in-cabin electronics, including entertainment

If you love getting your hands dirty, clean up messes that put flights and instruments in danger—or design better systems, consider a B.S. in Aviation Maintenance with a concentration in Computer Science.

Other cool jobs in Aviation with a Computer Concentration: 

  • Designer or software engineer for aviation simulations

  • Systems engineer

  • Powerplant tech

Many inspector roles have medical requirements, including a good ability to see and hear.

HUMAN PERFORMANCE INVESTIGATORS

Aircraft don’t man themselves. Human performance investigators are part of aviation safety, but they do not investigate avionics, instruments, and mechanics. Human performance investigators assess the human factors that lead to incidents and accidents.  

These aviation safety specialists can work in a number of areas. Ahead of incidents, human performance specialists may research and advise on how people with interact with flight or aircraft related design, processes, or other factors. Human performance recommendations are crucial to making sure that emergencies are handled well and can help prevent accidents.

Human performance specialists are also contributors in creating aircraft and procedures that are not only safer but also more efficient for people. Imagine helping civil, missionary, and military pilots and crew complete their missions. 

MAINTAINING AIRCRAFT SAFETY

Computers, electronics, and human factors are all important in ensuring aircraft, human, and airspace safety. But before any of those were specialties, it started with a few people tinkering in a shop. The most fundamental and first safety measure is in the mechanics itself. 

A degree in Aviation Maintenance Science teaches you to assess, repair, troubleshoot, and even participate in mechanical design and engineering for aircraft.

Who can you work for?

There are many state, federal, and private agencies and organizations that employ aviation safety specialists. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the elite federal organization responsible for the investigation and education of airline incidents. (Read more about their jobs here.) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is another major employer at the federal level. 

In addition to government agencies, private companies and airports need safety specialists. Airlines and aircraft manufacturers need people to inspect every safety aspect from mechanics to procedures. 

After establishing yourself in an aviation safety profession, you can also go into operations, management, and governance. These are important jobs with a high level of service, security, and responsibility. 

So the answer to “What are aviation safety jobs are like?” is that they are like you. If you are hands-on, there is a hands-on job in aviation safety. If you strive to take on responsibility, there are management and research-oriented jobs. If you have a detective’s mind, there are inspectors who are integral to understanding accidents after the fact. Whatever your path, the product will be to ensure safety.  

You don’t need to know where your path leads yet. An interest in aviation safety is a first step in figuring out the right pathway for you. Visit LETU to get your career cleared for takeoff. 

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