# Tasks & work activities — drone pilot

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 49-3011.00 (Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 3153; the official ESCO crosswalk has no entry for this ESCO occupation.

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
- **[Core]** Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
- **[Core]** Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
- **[Core]** Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
- **[Core]** Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- **[Core]** Inspect airframes for wear or other defects.
- **[Core]** Maintain, repair, and rebuild aircraft structures, functional components, and parts, such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, or seals.
- **[Core]** Measure the tension of control cables.
- **[Core]** Replace or repair worn, defective, or damaged components, using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment.
- **[Core]** Measure parts for wear, using precision instruments.
- **[Core]** Assemble and install electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, and structural components and accessories, using hand or power tools.
- **[Core]** Test operation of engines and other systems, using test equipment, such as ignition analyzers, compression checkers, distributor timers, or ammeters.
- **[Core]** Obtain fuel and oil samples and check them for contamination.
- **[Core]** Reassemble engines following repair or inspection and reinstall engines in aircraft.
- **[Core]** Read and interpret pilots' descriptions of problems to diagnose causes.
- **[Core]** Modify aircraft structures, space vehicles, systems, or components, following drawings, schematics, charts, engineering orders, and technical publications.
- **[Core]** Install and align repaired or replacement parts for subsequent riveting or welding, using clamps and wrenches.
- **[Core]** Locate and mark dimensions and reference lines on defective or replacement parts, using templates, scribes, compasses, and steel rules.
- **[Core]** Clean, strip, prime, and sand structural surfaces and materials to prepare them for bonding.
- **[Core]** Service and maintain aircraft and related apparatus by performing activities such as flushing crankcases, cleaning screens, and or moving parts.
- **[Core]** Examine engines through specially designed openings while working from ladders or scaffolds, or use hoists or lifts to remove the entire engine from an aircraft.
- **[Core]** Remove or install aircraft engines, using hoists or forklift trucks.
- **[Core]** Inventory and requisition or order supplies, parts, materials, and equipment.
- **[Core]** Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.
- **[Core]** Remove or cut out defective parts or drill holes to gain access to internal defects or damage, using drills and punches.
- **[Core]** Clean, refuel, and change oil in line service aircraft.
- **[Core]** Communicate with other workers to coordinate fitting and alignment of heavy parts, or to facilitate processing of repair parts.
- **[Supplemental]** Trim and shape replacement body sections to specified sizes and fits and secure sections in place, using adhesives, hand tools, and power tools.
- **[Core]** Clean engines, sediment bulk and screens, and carburetors, adjusting carburetor float levels.
- **[Supplemental]** Prepare and paint aircraft surfaces.
- **[Core]** Spread plastic film over areas to be repaired to prevent damage to surrounding areas.
- **[Core]** Check for corrosion, distortion, and invisible cracks in the fuselage, wings, and tail, using x-ray and magnetic inspection equipment.
- **[Supplemental]** Disassemble engines and inspect parts, such as turbine blades or cylinders, for corrosion, wear, warping, cracks, and leaks, using precision measuring instruments, x-rays, and magnetic inspection equipment.
- **[Supplemental]** Determine repair limits for engine hot section parts.
- **[Supplemental]** Cure bonded structures, using portable or stationary curing equipment.
- **[Core]** Listen to operating engines to detect and diagnose malfunctions, such as sticking or burned valves.
- **[Core]** Accompany aircraft on flights to make in-flight adjustments and corrections.
- **[Supplemental]** Remove, inspect, repair, and install in-flight refueling stores and external fuel tanks.

## Detailed work activities

- Align equipment or machinery.
- Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.
- Assemble electrical components, subsystems, or systems.
- Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
- Communicate with coworkers to coordinate installations or repairs.
- Cut materials according to specifications or needs.
- Determine operational criteria or specifications.
- Disassemble equipment to inspect for deficiencies.
- Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
- Fabricate parts or components.
- Inspect completed work to ensure proper functioning.
- Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
- Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear.
- Inspect structural components of vehicles to identify problems.
- Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
- Install machine or equipment replacement parts.
- Install piping for installation or maintenance activities.
- Interpret blueprints, specifications, or diagrams to inform installation, development or operation activities.
- Lay out work according to specifications.
- Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
- Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
- Maintain repair or maintenance records.
- Move large objects using heavy equipment.
- Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
- Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
- Operate heating or drying equipment.
- Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
- Paint surfaces or equipment.
- Read technical information needed to perform maintenance or repairs.
- Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
- Reassemble equipment after repair.
- Remove parts or components from equipment.
- Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
- Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
- Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
- Test fluids to identify contamination or other problems.
- Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
- Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.