Occupation Summary

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

O*NET 51-2011.00

Description:

Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.

Annual Wages:
$64,829.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by -6.72%.
Education Level:
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry

  1. Assemble prefabricated parts to form subassemblies.
  2. Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points.
  3. Align, fit, assemble, connect, or install system components, using jigs, fixtures, measuring instruments, hand tools, or power tools.
  4. Join structural assemblies, such as wings, tails, or fuselage.
  5. Layout and mark reference points and locations for installation of parts or components, using jigs, templates, or measuring and marking instruments.
  6. Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
  7. Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
  8. Fit and fasten sheet metal coverings to surface areas or other sections of aircraft prior to welding or riveting.
  9. Clean, oil, or coat system components, as necessary, before assembly or attachment.
  10. Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements, using sighting devices and hand tools.
  11. Fabricate parts needed for assembly or installation, using shop machinery or equipment.
  12. Set up or operate machines or systems to crimp, cut, bend, form, swage, flare, bead, burr, or straighten tubing, according to specifications.
  13. Weld tubing and fittings or solder cable ends, using tack welders, induction brazing chambers, or other equipment.
  14. Verify dimensions of cable assemblies or positions of fittings, using measuring instruments.
  15. Mark identifying information on tubing or cable assemblies, using etching devices, labels, rubber stamps, or other methods.
  16. Cut cables and tubing, using master templates, measuring instruments, and cable cutters or saws.
  17. Swage fittings onto cables, using swaging machines.
  18. Assemble prototypes or integrated-technology demonstrators of new or emerging environmental technologies for aircraft.
  19. Capture or segregate waste material, such as aluminum swarf, machine cutting fluid, or solvents, for recycling or environmentally responsible disposal.
  20. Clean aircraft structures, parts, or components, using aqueous, semi-aqueous, aliphatic hydrocarbon, or organic solvent cleaning products or techniques to reduce carbon or other harmful emissions.
  21. Monitor robotic assembly equipment, such as snake-arm robots, used to assemble, seal, or swage aircraft structures.
  22. Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
  23. Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
  24. Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.
  25. Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.
  26. Manually install structural assemblies or signal crane operators to position assemblies for joining.
  27. Place and connect control cables to electronically controlled units, using hand tools, ring locks, cotter keys, threaded connectors, turnbuckles, or related devices.
  28. Install mechanical linkages and actuators, using tensiometers to verify tension of cables.
  29. Install accessories in swaging machines, using hand tools.
  30. Splice cables, using clamps and fittings, or reweave cable strands.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers employed Annual Growth Rate
Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 88.4 -1.96
Support activities for air transportation 3.1 1.55


Labor Market Information


2022 Statewide average hourly wage $31.17
2022 National average hourly wage $28.90
2020 National employment 37,800
2020 Texas employment 3,172
Texas projected employment by 2030 2,959
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2030 315




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
69.60%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
69.40%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
68.80%
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
68.80%
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
67.80%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
67.60%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
62.80%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
60.00%
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
59.20%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
56.80%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
67.60%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
62.40%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
62.40%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
62.40%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
60.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
60.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
60.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
60.00%
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
60.00%
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
60.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
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 that there is a problem.
75.00%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
72.40%
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.
70.00%
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.
67.60%
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
67.60%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
67.60%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
62.40%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
62.40%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
62.40%
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.
62.40%


  • Controlling Machines and Processes
    -- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    -- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    -- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Other Activities


  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.



Tools

Acoustic ear muffs or defenders: Protective ear muffs;

Bearing fitting tool kits: Bearing installation tools;

Box end wrenches: Ratcheting box wrenches;

Calipers: Dial calipers;

Deburring tool: Burring tools;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Ear plugs: Protective ear plugs;

Guide jig: Material guiding jigs; Trunnion centering tools;

Hand clamps: Hand clamps;

Hand reamer: Line reamers;

Height gauges: Pin protrusion gauges;

Hoists: Power hoists;

Hydraulic press brake: Metal bending equipment;

Metal markers or holders: Electrochemical etching devices;

Micrometers: Micrometers;

Mill saw file: Single-cut mill saw files;

Milling machines: Milling machines;

Nut drivers: Nut wrenches;

Offset screw driver: Offset screwdrivers;

Pick or place robots: Assembly robots;

Pipe bending mandrel: Pipe bending mandrels;

Pneumatic drill: Pneumatic drills;

Positioning jig: First assembly jigs;

Power drills: Power drills;

Power flaring tool: Flaring tools;

Power riveter: Rivet guns;

Power saws: Power saws;

Power screwguns: Power screwguns;

Protective gloves: Safety gloves; Anti-vibration gloves;

Ratchets: Ratchets;

Rivet tools: C-yoke compression riveters; Blind rivet guns; Alligator jaw compression riveters; Autoriveters; Metal bucking bars; Recoilless rivet hammers;

Rolling press: Beading tools;

Safety glasses: Safety glasses;

Screwdrivers: Straight screwdrivers;

Sealant adhesive robots: Adhesive application robots;

Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machine: Arc welding equipment;

Soldering iron: Soldering irons;

Spanner wrenches: Spanner wrenches;

Specialty wrenches: Spline key wrenches; Input wrenches; Flange wrenches; Fuel nozzle wrenches; Gear shaft wrenches; Case wrenches;

Spot welding machine: Spot welding equipment; Tack welding equipment;

Swaging tools: Bearing staking tools; Swaging tools;

Taper pin reamer: Precision tapered reamers;

Templates: Drafting templates; Mylar index templates; Setup templates;

Tensiometers: Tensiometers;

Thickness measuring devices: Thickness gauges;

Torque wrenches: Trunnion wrenches; Torque drivers; Fuel control wrenches;

Track cranes: Overhead cranes;

Tube end finisher: Tube crimping tools;

Ultrasonic examination equipment: Ultrasonic inspection equipment;

Welder torch: Brazing equipment;

Welding masks: Welding hoods;

Welding robots: Welding robots;

Wire or cable cutter: Cable cutters;


Technology

Computer aided design CAD software: Computer aided design CAD software;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software; Enterprise resource planning ERP software;

Industrial control software: Electrical power management system software;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel; Spreadsheet software;

Word processing software: Word processing software; Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers include:
  • 49-3011.00 Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
  • 49-2091.00 Avionics Technicians
  • 51-2022.00 Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
  • 51-2023.00 Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers
  • 51-2031.00 Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
  • 49-9041.00 Industrial Machinery Mechanics
  • 51-4192.00 Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
  • 49-9044.00 Millwrights
  • 51-2041.00 Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
  • 51-4122.00 Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about assemblers and fabricators, including certification, training, and professional development, visit: Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International
  • For information about careers in manufacturing, visit: Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs
  • For information about certifications in electronics soldering, visit: Association Connecting Electronics Industries
  • CareerOneStop

  • For a career video on aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers, visit: Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
  • For a career video on structural metal fabricators and fitters, visit: Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
  • Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
  • Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other
  • Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
  • Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
  • Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers
  • Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
  • Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
  • Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
  • Team Assemblers
  • Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.