Government Safety Inspector Career

Aviation Safety Inspectors work for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Aviation Safety Inspectors enforce the FAA regulations that govern the quality, performance, and safety of aircraft equipment and personnel. They specialize in inspecting either commercial aircraft (air carriers) or general aviation aircraft (single and multi engine aircraft used for pleasure, air taxi, industry, and agriculture). In addition, Aviation Safety Inspectors specialize in different inspection areas, or options.

Some Aviation Safety Inspectors perform maintenance inspections. They evaluate aircraft mechanics and repair facilities as well as training programs for mechanics. In addition, these Aviation Safety Inspectors evaluate aircraft and related equipment for airworthiness.

Other Aviation Safety Inspectors perform avionics (electronics systems) inspections. This includes the evaluation of avionics technicians and repair facilities as well as training programs for avionics technicians. These Aviation Safety Inspectors also inspect aircraft and related equipment for airworthiness in regard to avionics programs.

Some Aviation Safety Inspectors specialize in operations inspections. These inspectors perform the evaluation of commercial and other aviation operations. Besides, they certify pilots, flight instructors, and other airmen.

Furthermore, these Aviation Safety Inspectors evaluate flight training programs along with their equipment and facilities.
Other Aviation Safety Inspectors specialize in is manufacturing inspections. They evaluate any manufacturing facility that makes or modifies aircraft, aircraft equipment, and avionics equipment. In addition, they inspect any originally built or modified aircraft, aircraft parts, and avionics equipment. They also issue FAA certificates for all civil aircraft, such as imports, amateur built planes, and modified planes.

Aviation Safety Inspectors have irregular work schedules. They may work different hours from one day to the next. It depends on the tasks that they are performing. Sometimes inspections require traveling to other geographical locations for extended periods of time.

Aviation Safety Inspectors who perform air carrier, aviation avionics, maintenance, and operations inspections work out of Flight Standards division and district offices throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

Special Requirements

Every applicant must possess a valid driver’s license. Applicants seeking maintenance inspector positions must have the FAA mechanic certificate with an airframe and powerplant (A&P) rating.
Individuals seeking operations inspector positions must hold appropriate FAA pilot certificates and rankings as well as the first class FAA medical certificate. Furthermore, applicants may not have more than 2 FAA violations within the 5 years prior to their application.

Education and Training


A master's degree in aviation can help a safety inspector specialize in an area such as industrial hygiene or environmental management. Many employers value an advanced degree in occupational health and safety when hiring for management or supervisory positions. Government safety inspectors are sometimes required to seek advanced degrees in order to be promoted. Such degrees can include advanced coursework in risk management and safety legislation and also require a research component.

Certification

Certification is not required. However, many employers prefer it. Certification options and requirements vary. They depend on the organization offering the certification and the area of expertise.
Requirements include an associate degree in an occupational health and safety field or a bachelor's degree in aviation, 3 years of work experience and successful completion of 2 exams. Recertification is awarded every 5 years upon completion of continuing education classes in health and safety practices.