17 Aircraft Maintenance Planner Interview Questions and Answers

Aircraft maintenance planners are responsible for developing and implementing maintenance plans for aircraft and aircraft systems. They work with aircraft engineers and other personnel to ensure that all aircraft are maintained and operated in a safe and efficient manner.

In order to be successful in this role, you’ll need to be able to answer aircraft maintenance planner interview questions that assess your ability to think critically, pay attention to detail, and work under pressure. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of common interview questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the Federal Aviation Administration’s regulations for aircraft maintenance?

The FAA is the governing body that regulates aircraft maintenance. The agency has a set of rules and regulations for how to conduct maintenance on an aircraft, including when it’s safe to fly. An interviewer may ask this question to make sure you understand these regulations and can follow them if you are hired. In your answer, explain that you have read through some of the FAA’s regulations in the past. Explain that you would be willing to learn more about any specific regulations that apply to the company or facility where you work.

Example: “I am familiar with some of the FAA’s regulations regarding aircraft maintenance. I have worked as an aircraft mechanic for several years now, so I know what types of maintenance are required by law. However, I am always open to learning more about new regulations and requirements. If I were hired here, I would be happy to attend training sessions to learn more about the FAA’s regulations.”

What are some of the most important factors you consider when planning aircraft maintenance?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your decision-making process and how you prioritize tasks. Your answer should include a list of the most important factors you consider when planning aircraft maintenance, along with an explanation of why these factors are so important.

Example: “The first factor I consider is safety. Aircraft maintenance can be very dangerous work, so it’s essential that we plan our repairs in a way that ensures the safety of both my team members and the pilots who will be flying the planes after we complete our repairs. Another factor I consider is cost. The company needs to save money wherever possible, so I always make sure to choose the least expensive option for each repair job. Finally, I also consider turnaround time. We need to get each plane back into the air as quickly as possible, so I try to plan each repair job in a way that allows us to meet those deadlines.”

How would you handle a situation where an aircraft part was taking longer to arrive than expected?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle unexpected challenges in your work. Use examples from past experience to show that you are able to adapt and overcome obstacles.

Example: “In my previous role as an aircraft maintenance planner, I was responsible for ordering parts for the aircrafts we worked on. One time, a part I ordered took longer than expected to arrive at our facility. When this happened, I immediately contacted the vendor to find out why it was taking so long. The vendor informed me that they were experiencing delays with their supplier. I then contacted the supplier to see if there was anything we could do to expedite the process. They told us that they would be able to ship the part within two days.”

What is your process for determining if an aircraft is safe to fly after undergoing maintenance?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to understand how you apply your knowledge and skills to ensure the safety of aircraft. Use examples from past experiences where you applied your expertise to determine if an aircraft was safe for flight.

Example: “I have worked on several aircraft that required extensive maintenance before they could be safely flown again. In these situations, I first review all documentation about the work performed on the aircraft. Then, I inspect the aircraft myself to make sure it meets all safety requirements. Finally, I perform a test flight with a qualified pilot to ensure everything is in working order.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to manage a difficult customer and explain how you handled the situation.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a situation where a customer is upset or angry and how you can use your problem-solving skills to resolve the issue.

Example: “In my previous role, I had a customer who was very upset because they were waiting for their aircraft to be serviced for over two weeks. I listened to what they had to say and explained that we were working as quickly as possible on their plane. I also offered them a discount on their next visit to show our appreciation for their patience.”

If an aircraft part was unavailable, what alternatives would you suggest?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Example: “If an aircraft part was unavailable, I would first check if there were any similar parts that could be used in place of the original. If not, I would look for other options such as using a different material or finding a supplier who had the part available. In my last role, we had a shortage of landing gear assemblies, so I looked into sourcing them from another country. It took some time, but we eventually found a supplier who had the parts available.”

What would you do if you noticed a discrepancy in an aircraft log during a routine inspection?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your ability to notice and report discrepancies in aircraft logs. Use your answer to highlight your attention to detail, communication skills and willingness to report any safety concerns to your supervisor or other relevant personnel.

Example: “If I noticed a discrepancy during a routine inspection, I would first document the discrepancy in my notes so that I could reference it later if needed. Then, I would speak with my supervisor about the discrepancy and provide them with documentation of the issue. If they requested additional information from me, I would provide them with as much information as possible to help them make an informed decision.”

How well do you understand the anatomy of aircraft parts and systems?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of aircraft systems and how they function. Use examples from your experience working with aircraft parts and systems to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of their functions.

Example: “In my previous role as an aircraft maintenance planner, I was responsible for creating work orders for all aircraft parts and systems. In my training, I learned about the anatomy of each part and system on the aircraft, including its purpose and any potential issues it could develop. This helped me create accurate work orders for each part or system so mechanics could complete repairs efficiently.”

Do you have experience using aircraft maintenance software?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with the software they use at their company. If you have used aircraft maintenance software before, share what kind of software it was and how you used it. If you haven’t worked with aircraft maintenance software before, you can talk about other types of software you’ve used in the past.

Example: “I have used several different kinds of aircraft maintenance software in my previous roles. I started out using a basic spreadsheet program but eventually moved on to more advanced programs that helped me organize data and perform calculations for reports. The most recent aircraft maintenance software I used was an online platform that allowed me to create custom forms and track all of my work digitally.”

When is it appropriate to perform a test flight after maintenance?

Test flights are an important part of aircraft maintenance. They allow the mechanic to ensure that all repairs and replacements were successful, and they also give the pilot a chance to test out their new skills. Interviewers want to know if you understand when it’s appropriate to perform a test flight and how to do so safely.

Example: “Test flights should only be performed after every major repair or replacement. This is because smaller repairs may not have been completed properly, which could lead to safety issues during the test flight. I always make sure my team understands this policy before we begin any work on an aircraft.”

We want to improve our turnaround time for repairs. What strategies would you suggest to improve our efficiency?

Aircraft maintenance planners are responsible for improving the efficiency of their department. An interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any strategies or ideas that can help them achieve this goal. In your answer, explain how you would improve turnaround time and what steps you would take to make it happen.

Example: “I think one way we could improve our turnaround time is by implementing a more efficient system for tracking repairs. I’ve worked in several different departments where we used software programs to track all of our work orders. This allowed us to keep better records of our progress and helped us stay on schedule with repairs. I think using similar software here could be beneficial.”

Describe your process for planning a large-scale aircraft maintenance project.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your planning process and how you use your skills to complete projects on time. Use examples from past experience to describe the steps you take when planning a project, including how you prioritize tasks and manage deadlines.

Example: “I start by researching the aircraft type I’m working with so that I can understand its maintenance history and any issues it has had in the past. Then, I meet with my team to discuss what we know about the aircraft and decide which areas of maintenance need our attention most urgently. From there, I create a timeline for each task we need to complete and assign them to specific members of my team based on their skill set.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities.

Example: “I have five years of experience as an aircraft maintenance planner. In my previous position, I was responsible for creating schedules for all aircraft mechanics. This included assigning tasks to different teams and ensuring they were completed in time. My ability to multitask and prioritize work helped me create efficient schedules that met deadlines while keeping costs low.”

Which aircraft models have you worked with in the past?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience and expertise. You can answer by listing the aircraft models you’ve worked with in the past, but it’s also important to mention which ones you’re familiar with. This shows that you have a broad knowledge of different types of aircrafts and their maintenance requirements.

Example: “In my previous role as an aircraft maintenance planner, I worked with both commercial and private aircrafts. I’m especially experienced working with smaller planes like single-engine propeller planes and small jets. However, I am also familiar with larger commercial airliners.”

What do you think are the most important qualities for an aircraft maintenance planner to possess?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you possess the qualities they look for in an aircraft maintenance planner. Use your answer to highlight your ability to plan and organize projects, communicate effectively with others and manage time efficiently.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for an aircraft maintenance planner is attention to detail. Aircraft maintenance planning requires a lot of research and data collection, so it’s essential that I’m able to pay close attention to my work. Another quality I feel is important is communication skills. As an aircraft maintenance planner, I’ll be working closely with many different people on various aspects of the job. It’s important that I can clearly convey information and listen to feedback from others.”

How often should aircraft parts be replaced?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of aircraft maintenance. Use examples from your experience to explain how you determine when parts need to be replaced and what factors influence this decision.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for creating a schedule that determined which parts needed to be replaced on the aircraft we maintained. In order to create these schedules, I first had to assess each part’s condition and compare it to its original specifications. If any part fell below its original specification, then I would replace it according to our maintenance plan. For example, if a part is only expected to last 10 years but has lasted 15, then I would replace it before it exceeded its lifespan.”

There is a discrepancy between the parts list and what was actually installed on the aircraft. What would you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. Your answer should include a step-by-step process of how you would handle this situation, including who you would involve in the decision-making process.

Example: “I would first verify that there was indeed a discrepancy between the parts list and what was actually installed on the aircraft. If so, I would then check the maintenance logbook to see if any notes were made about the discrepancy. If no notes were made, I would contact the mechanic responsible for installing the part to find out why it wasn’t recorded. If the mechanic had no explanation, I would document the discrepancy and submit it to my supervisor.”