Aviation Safety Inspectors

Employers

Most aviation safety inspectors are employed by the federal government, with the majority working for the Department of Transportation, namely the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. Other employers of aviation safety inspectors include consulting firms, insurance companies, and companies that specialize in aviation technology and industry. Some inspectors are self-employed and work as independent consultants. Aviation safety inspectors are classified under the general heading of transportation inspectors. There are about 25,700 transportation inspectors (including those who specialize in aviation) employed in the United States.

Starting Out

Aviation safety inspectors are generally not hired unless they have experience in the field of aviation, for example, as a pilot or crew member, an air traffic controller, an aviation mechanic, an avionics technician, or a manufacturing position in the aviation industry. A combination of work experience in the field of aviation and education in areas such as air transportation, engineering, or aeronautics will count as sufficient experience in some cases. After gaining the necessary experience, those interested in becoming an aviation safety inspector should apply for a position. One of the largest employers of aviation safety inspectors, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), maintains referral lists of qualified applicants. Persons interested in being hired by the FAA as an aviation safety inspector should contact the FAA for an application. Applicants who are deemed qualified and eligible for employment are placed on referral lists for a period of one year. They are matched to any available job vacancies that fit their qualifications.