The Essential Tools Every Aircraft Mechanic Should Have in Their Toolbox

Aircraft mechanics play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. From routine maintenance to critical repairs and instrument upgrades, a good aircraft mechanic is key to keeping your aircraft in the sky. Their expertise and skills are impressive on their own, but every good aircraft mechanic needs a comprehensive set of tools to practice their trade. Having the right tools on hand will enable them to perform a wide range of tasks efficiently and effectively. Fortunately, the experts at SkyGeek know what it takes to work on an aircraft and have put together a list of 15 types of essential tools that every aircraft mechanic should have in their toolbox. From basic hand tools to more specialized equipment, these tools are vital for conducting inspections, performing repairs and completing routine maintenance procedures on various aircraft systems.

Basic Hand Tools

Every aircraft mechanic needs some basic hand tools available to help them work. Hand tools are the heavy hitters of the mechanical world, so it's important to invest in tools that are durable, comfortable to use and able to get the job done. Here are a few must-have hand tools:

1. Aviation-Specific Toolbox: While not technically a tool, a sturdy and well-organized toolbox is the foundation of every aircraft mechanic's toolkit. Look for one specifically designed for aviation, with compartments and dividers to keep tools organized and easily accessible. You'll want plenty of compartments and dividers so you can keep things organized and within reach. A rolling toolbox is a great idea if you do a lot of field work.

2. Screwdrivers: A set of high-quality screwdrivers, including both flat-head and Philips-head screwdrivers, is essential for removing and tightening screws and fasteners of different sizes in aircraft components. Look for a screwdriver with solid construction and a durable, comfortable handle. Padded handles can degrade and react with certain aviation chemicals, so opt for hard plastic instead.

3. Pliers: Various types of pliers, such as needle-nose pliers, slip-joint pliers and locking pliers (commonly known as Vise-Grips) are indispensable for gripping, bending and manipulating objects. Pliers can be used to twist, bend and shape wires, cables and small parts. Make sure to get a complete set of pliers in various sizes so you always have the right tool for the job.

4. Wrenches: A range of wrenches, including open-end wrenches, box-end wrenches and adjustable wrenches are necessary for tightening and loosening nuts, bolts and fittings throughout the aircraft. Wrenches come in various styles, but the simpler the better and plain metal is all you need for a reliable, easy to grip tool.
   
   

   

5. Socket Set: A comprehensive socket set with both metric and standard sizes is essential, along with extensions and ratchets. A good socket set with a complete range of sizes is vital for accessing and working on fasteners in confined spaces. Choose a socket set with a durable plastic case to keep your tools organized.

6. Aviation-Specific Torque Wrench: Torque wrenches are critical for tightening fasteners to precise torque specifications. Ensure you have an aviation-specific torque wrench with a wide range of torque settings suitable for aircraft components. Torque wrenches for aviation applications are slightly different than other torque wrenches, so make sure you have the right kind.

Measuring and Inspection Tools

Measuring and inspecting is a normal part of aircraft maintenance and while a visual inspection is always a good idea, a quick glance might not be enough to spot certain issues. Make sure you're ready to take a deeper look at your aircraft by ordering the right measuring and inspection tools from SkyGeek.

1. Aviation-Specific Ruler and Tape Measure: Accurate measurements are essential in aircraft maintenance, which is why you should invest in an aviation-specific ruler and a tape measure. Make sure your ruler and tape measure tools have both metric and standard units for measuring distances, clearances and dimensions.
   
   

   

2. Digital Caliper: A digital caliper allows precise measurements of small parts and clearances, especially in critical areas such as engine components and control systems. You'll use your calipers to measure all kinds of parts and to make sure gaps and fittings are correct, so invest in a caliper that's reliable and can hold its calibration.

3. Feeler Gauge: The feeler gauge tool is used to measure gaps and clearances between components, ensuring proper tolerances are maintained. A set of feeler gauges with varying thicknesses is essential for precise measurements. Maintaining the correct gaps and clearances are essential to your aircraft's performance.

4. Aviation-Specific Inspection Mirror: There are parts of the aircraft you won't be able to see easily. An inspection mirror with an extendable handle and adjustable angles is invaluable for inspecting hard-to-reach areas, such as behind panels or in tight engine compartments. A good inspection mirror eliminates the need to remove components to inspect behind them, minimizing the risk of damage.

5. Borescope: A borescope is a specialized tool that enables visual inspections of internal components and systems. It consists of a flexible fiber optic cable with a camera attached, allowing mechanics to see inside areas that are otherwise inaccessible. A borescope with a good camera will deliver a clear picture for easy inspections and a high degree of confidence.

Specialized Tools and Equipment

While basic tools are important to have on hand, sometimes more specialized tools and equipment are needed. Some specialized tools and equipment that are good to have on hand include:

1. Safety Wire Twisting Pliers: Safety wire is commonly used to secure fasteners and to prevent loosening due to vibration, but safety wire can be incredibly difficult to twist by hand, especially if it's in a hard-to-reach area. Safety wire twisting pliers make the task easier by twisting the wire securely and neatly with less strain on the hands.

2. Rivet Gun: Aircraft often use rivets for joining structures and panels, but those rivets can become loose or break over time. A quality rivet gun, along with an assortment of rivets and rivet sets, is necessary for installing and removing rivets during repairs and inspections should be in every mechanic's toolbox.

3. Electrical Multimeter: An electrical multimeter is essential for diagnosing and troubleshooting electrical systems and circuits. It helps measure voltage, current and resistance, ensuring proper functioning of electrical components. For any mechanic attempting an electrical repair, a multimeter should be considered essential equipment.

4. Aviation-Specific Crimping Tool: Crimping connectors and terminals is a common task in aircraft electrical systems. An aviation-specific crimping tool can make it easy to create connections and to ensure that connectors are securely attach to existing wiring.

Conclusion:

Having the right tools on hand is critical to the success of any aircraft mechanic. From simple hand tools to measurement and inspection tools to complete specialty tools and more, SkyGeek makes it easy to get the job done right by sharing 15 types of tools that every aircraft mechanic should own.