British Airways Aircraft Mechanic Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our British Airways interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. Give an example of a time that your attention to detail helped to avoid a potential mistake on the job.
How to Answer
Strict attention to detail is a critical part of success on the engineering team at British Airways. Whether it is working under the very specific Civil Aviation Authority standards or the precision required in the fine tunings of a turbojet engine, your interviewer will be relying on you to be very detail oriented if hired for this role. As you answer this question, try to think of a time when you can describe how detail oriented you were and what would have happened in that particular situation, if you were not. Make sure that your interviewer walks away from your time together confident in your ability to be as detailed in your work as possible by talking about how you take the necessary time to ensure that all of the detailed parts of your work are completed before moving on to the next task.
Answer Example
"As a person who firmly believes that the lives of others are in the hands of my work, I never take shortcuts or move on to the next task until I know that all of my work is completed. A few months ago, my team was working on an engine reinstall on a plane that needed a full replacement. We had a few mechanics working together as a team, and the entire install took a pretty good amount of time and teamwork. When completed, I took the time to walk through our final engine installation safety checklist one last time and noticed that one of the critical fuse pins, used to mount the engine, had been installed improperly. I gathered my team back and explained what had happened and the need to immediately fix it. Had I not caught this mistake, I am confident it would have been caught in final overall inspection, but you can never be 100% sure of anything. I'm just glad I did my due diligence that day."
2. Talk about your educational background and how that has prepared you for success on the British Airways engineering team.
How to Answer
As an Aircraft Mechanic, you are well aware of the educational requirements that most airlines require for the position. As you apply and prepare to interview with British Airways, it is important to read the job posting carefully to ensure that you meet the educational requirements for the role. As you answer this question and talk about your education, try to focus on how your training has prepared you for success on the British Airways engineering team. Make sure to highlight what your education will do for your future in this role. If you had any specific trainings or certifications that are not on your resume, now is a good time to bring those up as well.
Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, I began my career as an Aircraft Mechanic with a CAA-approved training in aviation maintenance from a well-known trade school. While that really helped propel me into the field, I took it upon myself to receive my bachelor's degree in Aviation Maintenance Science five years ago, when I was living in the United States. The bachelor's degree program really helped me become a more well-rounded mechanic by having me study propeller systems, power plant operations, and advanced electricity. If hired for this role, I am confident in my ability to tackle any issue I would come across."
3. As an Aircraft Mechanic, what do you consider to be the most important tool in your bag, on a daily basis?
How to Answer
The members of the British Airways engineering team must be masters of their trade in all aspects of the mechanics of a working aircraft, and with this mastery comes the need to be very handy with the tools of the trade. This is an open-ended question that allows you to talk about what you feel is the most important tool in your work. As you prepare for this question, make sure that your answer directly relates to the duties you will be performing in this role and, if possible, try to point out a unique skill that you have with the tool that you decide to talk about. This will help potentially distinguish you from other mechanics who are interviewing for the British Airways team.
Answer Example
"I would consider my vibration meter that I work with to be the most important tool in my bag in my current job. As me and my team work on any part of an aircraft, the final reliability tests weigh heavily on the vibration analysis of the aircraft to ensure the safety of the passengers and our crew in the air. I have great working knowledge of how and when to conduct vibrations tests to gather data and how to react to an aircraft that is experiencing too much vibration."
4. What does safety mean to you in your work as an Aircraft Mechanic?
How to Answer
While this is certainly a very open question, your interviewer will ideally be looking for you to talk both about the safety of you and your crew and the safety of the passengers and crew onboard the aircraft in flight. As you answer, discuss the importance of working safely with all of the dangerous equipment that you will operate, and make it clear to your interviewer that you prioritize the safety of everyone, in all that you do on the job. Then, talk about the importance of paying attention to the fine details and how that makes an aircraft safe at all times in the work that you do.
Answer Example
"Safety starts in my work as an Aircraft Mechanic by knowing and abiding by all safety measures in my work. We work in very dangerous areas at times, and we have to be cognizant of the potentials of carbon monoxide, toxic materials, hearing loss, and other exposures. When on the job, I always wear proper PPE and use ergonomic measures to avoid long-term injuries. On top of the safety of me and my colleagues, we must also always be focused on our mission being the safety of all who board the aircraft we are working in. This requires attention to detail in all that we do, even down to ensuring that every last rivet is secured into place on the aircraft."
5. How experienced are you in reading technical plans and blueprints?
How to Answer
Working on the very diverse fleet that British Airways deploys on a daily basis requires an ability to read and understand the technical manuals and blueprints for every different aircraft in the fleet. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you do have experience in utilizing complex design manuals and blueprints to help in solving problems with the aircraft you have worked on in the past. As you answer, try to demonstrate your technical knowledge and overall literacy for reading and diagnosing issues and fixes by talking about exact times that you've used these to help in your work in the past.
Answer Example
"I am very experienced at putting technical manuals and blueprints of aircraft to use in my work. During my military training, I gained a lot of experience reading the technical layouts of both Bell and Sikorsky helicopters. During my final year in service, utilizing technical drawings was instrumental in a project to replace the fuselage on a fleet of choppers for the units I worked with. If given the opportunity to come to British Airways, I'd be very excited to work with your diverse fleet, especially the 787-10 Dreamliners and Airbus A320's."
6. In this role as an Aircraft Mechanic, the prompt update of maintenance and repair logs is vital. When have you had to make sure your work was accurately documented in the past?
How to Answer
Aircraft maintenance records are of utmost importance in the commercial airline industry and on the British Airways engineering team. If hired for this position, you will be tasked with being as meticulous as possible in the record keeping of the work that you perform. In the eyes of the CAA, any work that is performed on an aircraft that cannot be totally documented and recalled will not be recognized by them. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you do have experience in documenting your work. More importantly, they'll be looking to hear that you understand why documentation is so important, and that you prioritize and value that aspect of the job.
Answer Example
"Since graduating and becoming an Aircraft Mechanic over the past seven years, accurate and prompt documentation has been required on the job at all times. Whether I was working at a small regional airport or for another airline, completion of maintenance logs was instilled in my work from the first day on the job. I fully understand the importance of this work, as it pertains to the safety of any person that boards the plane and to any future mechanics or maintenance techs that do work on the plane. Also, I have a firm grasp on the CAA regulations surrounding maintenance log books. If hired on the British Airways engineering team, you can feel comfortable knowing that the documentation of my work would be a priority following any work that I perform."
7. Have you used x-ray or ultrasonic inspection equipment at any point during your career?
How to Answer
As technology in the aviation industry has advanced, so has the need for today's Aircraft Mechanics to become familiar with new technologies. One such technology is the use of ultrasonic and x-ray inspection to detect flaws in the materials on aircraft. For this question, talk about any experience you have using either x-ray or ultrasonic inspection equipment, and discuss that experience with your interviewer. If you don't have direct experience, make sure to do your research ahead of your interview to be able to talk a bit about the technology and your ability to learn this aspect of the job if you were to be hired on the British Airways engineering team.
Answer Example
"Over the last five years of my career, I've become very familiar with these technologies and have used them in a very hands on way. When I initially trained on the ultrasonic test instrumentation, I gained a quick understanding that it utilizes electric pulses that are converted by a transducer to high frequency energy. When used on an aircraft, the sound waves detect flawed surfaces that the human eye just can't. There have been a number of occasions where I have witnessed the technology catch significant issues that were able to be repaired in a timely manner."
8. What is the highest level of mathematics that you have completed, and how does that apply to your work as an Aircraft Mechanic?
How to Answer
Basic, and even advanced, mathematical skills come into play for all of the day-to-day activities that the engineering team at British Airways performs. While your interviewer is certainly looking to hear the highest level of math you have completed in your many years of schooling, they are more importantly looking to hear how you apply math skills to your everyday work in this job. Your interviewer wants to hear you display confidence in your ability to solve problems on the job using math skills, so bring up an example from your past that demonstrates this.
Answer Example
"The highest level of mathematics that I completed was trigonometry in high school. It has come in very handy as an aircraft mechanic. Concepts like Pythagorean's Theorem aides in length calculations that I can perform very quickly. Other basic geometry calculations, like calculating volumes of cones and surface areas of objects, are also very useful in my work."
9. This job as an Aircraft Mechanic will involve some travel. Are you able to travel when required for the job?
How to Answer
Working with the engineering team at British Airways may require moderate to frequent travel on the job and with this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear about your availability to travel. As you prepare for the interview, try to do as much research as you can on the position and company you are interviewing with. British Airways main hubs are the Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, while also having hubs throughout the globe. As you answer this question, it is important for you to have the availability to travel. If you do have family or personal conflicts, it is best to be open and honest with those commitments, and it is also fair to ask your interviewer what the notification requirements are for required travel for mechanics.
Answer Example
"If hired for this role, I want you to know that I am always willing and able to travel, when required for the job. My wife and I do have two high school aged kids at home that have their athletics and activities, but fortunately my wife teleworks from home and has great flexibility in her work. If travel is required, are there any time requirements for when staff are notified?"
10. The work on our engineering team has some physically demanding requirements. Are you able to handle the physical requirements of this job?
How to Answer
While you know that the work of an Aircraft Mechanic can be physically demanding, your interviewer will be looking to hear about the physicality of the work you have performed as a mechanic in previous roles. On top of the frequent standing, walking, carrying, pushing, pulling, and contorting, they'll also be looking to hear that you have no fear of climbing or heights, if hired at British Airways. Prior to your interview, it is also wise to read the British Airways job posting and/or job description to see exactly what the physical requirements are for the position so you can speak to them.
Answer Example
"The physical demands of the work as an Aircraft Mechanic are something that I don't take for granted. In my current role, I am on my feet almost all day long and am required to do some very heavy lifting, at times. I am up and down ladders working on planes and helicopters and also on wings and cabins high above the ground. Part of my ability to handle the physical requirements of this line of work is due to me maintaining a physical lifestyle outside of work where I bike, run, and kayak on a regular basis to stay in great shape."
11. What drew you to a career in aircraft mechanics?
How to Answer
During your interview, you will likely be thrown some questions that allow you to shed some insight into your personal drive and motivation that you would bring to British Airways. Ideally, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you have a strong inner motivation to be successful as part of their engineering team by hearing that you have both the mechanical aptitude and the desire to work on aircraft. As you prepare an answer for this type of question, try to dig from both your own personal interests and your skills and abilities to prove to your interviewer that this was the right career choice for you.
Answer Example
"As I went through middle school and high school, my best skills were always in math and auto maintenance classes, and that initially led me to a career in auto mechanics after high school. While working in that field, my love of flying led me to pursue an Aircraft Power Plant Technology certification at my own pace through a local technical college. Doing so enabled me to continue to work full-time while having a family at home, and I am very excited about this opportunity to break into the aircraft mechanics field."
12. Compared to your peers, which facet of the work of an Aircraft Mechanic do you excel at that you could bring to the British Airways Engineering team?
How to Answer
This question gives you the perfect opportunity to set yourself apart from your potential competition to join the Engineering team at British Airways. To do this, be sure to research the fine details of the position ahead of the interview, and point out one skill that you excel in that British Airways can really utilize on their team of mechanics. Where you take your answer to this question is totally up to you in the end, as you can talk about on-the-job skills, personality traits, or interpersonal skills. Whichever way you take it, make sure that it sets you apart from your competition for the job and relates to the duties of the job.
Answer Example
"With the wealth of well-rounded experience that I would bring to your team, I am confident that my overall inspection skills are top notch and would contribute greatly here. I have many years of experience of inspecting completed work on engines, wings, brakes, and all other aircraft components and am always diligent about keeping accurate records of these inspections."
13. Talk about a time that you had to solve a problem quickly on the job. What steps did you take to ensure a great result?
How to Answer
This question allows your interviewer the chance to test your overall problem-solving abilities. As you are aware, success as an Aircraft Mechanic involves a great deal of problem solving, and your interviewer will be expecting that you are the type of person who can actively solve the problems that would arise on a daily basis on the British Airways engineering team. As you answer this question, focus on your ability to identify the problem, carefully analyze potential solutions, and then take action to fix the situation. Your interviewer will commend any ability that you show to prove that you were meticulous in your thought process and resourceful in the steps that you took.
Answer Example
"A great example of this happened a couple of months ago on the job for me. As the mechanic covering a busy weekend, I found out on short notice that a passenger plane that had just landed needed a very quick turnaround on a mechanical issue, with a scheduled flight being just four hours from the time I was notified. My first step was to confirm with the captain of the crew that no other aircraft was available, and he confirmed there were not any available. Knowing that the issue generally took a few hours with two men on the job, I immediately called another mechanic to join me. Knowing it was going to take about an hour for help to show up, I began doing as much prep work as I could to ensure we completed the necessary maintenance. I worked quickly to prepare our tools for the job and pulled all of the relevant manuals. When he showed up, the actual hands-on work took just over an hour, and the plane was ready well ahead of schedule to take off to its next destination."
14. Have you ever performed maintenance on an integrated drive generator system on an aircraft?
How to Answer
As you look to interview with the British Airways engineering team, you can certainly expect some technical questions like this to pop up. Whether you have the direct experience working with an IDG or not, your interviewer will at least be looking to hear that you are familiar with the fact that they are used on large commercial airplanes to help supply electrical power. They'll also look to hear that you have knowledge of the IDG's requirements for maintenance on the oil within the system as a regular part of the work that you'll perform. If you do have direct experience, be sure to talk about that as you answer this question.
Answer Example
"Yes, I have performed maintenance on IDG's in commercial airplanes. In my current role, it is a standard procedure to check the oil level during any service. I'm very familiar with the different styles of oil level sight glass that can be found on the different IDG units. I also have performed oil servicing maintenance on IDG's after filters have been replaced and after replacement of other components within the system."
15. What would you say you enjoy the most about being an Aircraft Mechanic?
How to Answer
At some point during your interview, your interviewer will be looking to gain insight into your personal drive and desire for working as an Aircraft Mechanic. If they look to hire you to join the British Airways team, they want to be ensured that you are dedicated to your craft and to the betterment of the team that you will be joining. While certainly an open-ended question that allows you to really talk about where your passion lies within the field, be sure to display that passion to your interviewer as you answer this question.
Answer Example
"In all honesty, what I love about this work is that I still find myself with a dropped jaw almost every day on the job when I step back and realize that I'm working on one of the most amazing man-made machines in the world. Whether I'm working on a 747 or a unique helicopter, working around aircraft has been a dream of mine since I was very young, and I feel very blessed to be able to live that dream on a daily basis. Knowing that British Airways deploys one of the most diverse airline fleets in the world makes working for you a dream of mine."
16. What personal protective equipment are you used to utilizing in your work, and do you have any issues with standard PPE in this line of work?
How to Answer
While not high on the list of most dangerous careers, being an Aircraft Mechanic does come with some inherent safety risks that simple PPE can help reduce the risk of occurring. While looking to hear what types of PPE you have worn in your work in the past, your interviewer will ideally be looking to hear that you respect the use of protective equipment for yourself and those you work with and that you understand why PPE is so important to the overall health and safety of the British Airways engineering team. Any way you answer this, make sure your interviewer walks away from your conversation knowing that you believe in the use of PPE.
Answer Example
"With the safety of myself and my colleagues at the front of my mind at all times, I show up to work everyday in my steel-toed boots and safety glasses and keep these on at all times. When I'm physically working with my hands on an aircraft, I take whatever extra precautions are needed as well as when it comes to wearing PPE. A strong pair of gloves is important when working, and a safety helmet and fire retardant suit are also necessary at times."
17. If I were to talk to your previous supervisors and colleagues, how would they describe your work ethic?
How to Answer
On the British Airways engineering team, it is important to know that some of the key factors that lead to success in the job are hard work, attention to detail, determination and aptitude. While some of these can be talked about in relation to your work ethic, try to focus your answer on some key areas that are highlighted in the company's mission and values. To do this, try to research the airline you are interviewing with as much as possible prior to your interview. As you research, you'll likely find that some common work ethics involve accountability, respect, and dependability.
Answer Example
"If you were to contact any of my references or any prior colleagues, they would tell you that I am a very driven mechanic and strive to do each job right, no matter how much hard work it takes. They would tell you that I am a total team player who shows respect for those I work with and do so in a humble and honest way. If hired to join the British Airways engineering team, one of the first goals I would set for myself is to meet and get to know each person I'd be working closely with."
18. How do you work with others who are from different cultural backgrounds than you? How do you seek to understand their perspective?
How to Answer
British Airways seeks to reflect the many different communities around the world that they serve by putting a strong focus on diversity within their workforce. During your interviewer, they will be looking to hear your personal thoughts and experiences working with people from different backgrounds than you. Rather than give a canned, generic answer, speak from your heart and talk about the importance that varying viewpoints can have on the job as an Aircraft Mechanic, and speak to direct experiences that you have in working with others from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Answer Example
"Having grown up in a pretty rural place, my first real exposure to a diverse environment came during my time in the military. During my service, I was blessed with the opportunity to serve alongside many people from very culturally diverse backgrounds. This experience really helped me mature by taking the time to talk to people who were different than me, get to know them, and see where they were coming from on various issues. Today in my career, I carry this same appreciation for working with a team of diverse colleagues. In my current role, I work with a couple of outstanding mechanics who were born in other countries, and our training paths led us to all have very differing styles of work and ways of solving problems. I appreciate the times that we can learn from each other to become a more efficient team."
19. Our engineering team at British Airways needs to be relied upon to show up to work every day they are scheduled. Tell me about your attendance record in your current job over the past year.
How to Answer
Your interviewer is seeking a new member of their staff who can be relied upon to show up for work on time, each and every day at British Airways. They're asking this question to get your overall philosophy on punctuality and attendance on the job. As you talk about your attendance record, be up front and honest about your vacation days that you used, how much notice you were required to give, and how much notice you gave for each block of time off. Also, talk about any unplanned days you needed off for sickness or other emergencies, and let your interviewer know of the urgency of situations that would keep you away from work. In the end, ensure that your interviewer walks away from the interview confident in your ability to be relied upon for the job.
Answer Example
"I really pride myself on my ability to be dependable as a team member. Over the past year, I've only had one half day of unplanned absence when I became very ill in the late morning at work. While I tried to push through the day, my manager insisted that I get home to rest that day and through the upcoming weekend. All other times away from work were planned vacation days with my family. In my current job, we are typically required to give at least a two week notice for scheduled vacation days, and all of my time is always requested with a minimum of two weeks notice."
20. What are some of the key safety precautions you would take if you were tasked to change a wheel on an airplane?
How to Answer
While your interviewer likely can tell from your resume and training that you have the technical skills and abilities to change a wheel on an airplane, they are looking to hear about the necessary steps you take to ensure that the task is done safely. On top of the standard safety precautions like chocking the wheels, be sure to also talk about other checks you make on the overall assembly of the wheel, both prior to changing and after changing the wheel. During your interview, you will be tested to ensure that you will bring a safety focused mindset to the British Airways engineering team with questions similar to this.
Answer Example
"My first step that I would take would be to put a warning notification in the cockpit of the plane to tell anyone entering that the landing gear was being worked on. Then, I would ensure that safety barriers are in place and all wheels are chocked in position. As I worked to change the tire, I would check all tie-bolts to ensure that none are broken or missing because that could be a major safety hazard to me. When finished with the installation, I would then take the time to inspect the axle nut and all bolts, washers, and nuts to ensure they were snug and secure."
21. How do you work effectively under stressful, pressure-packed situations on the job?
How to Answer
There will be days on the British Airways engineering team that are very stressful, and your interviewer will be looking to hear that you have the ability to manage these action-packed days with ease. As you answer this question, try to explain in detail how you focus on the tasks at hand and take things one at a time to help alleviate stress on a hard day. Another tip to answering this question is to focus on some of the tools you use to help you stay focused and on task when you have many different things calling for your attention at one time.
Answer Example
"As a person who really thrives in pressure situations and those long days where a million things need to be done, I find myself successful in these situation by staying focused on one task at a time. I've seen many other colleagues come close to losing their sanity by worrying about the next job before the current one is finished, and that most often leads to sloppy work. I always have a daily to-do list on my phone, and I rely on that throughout each work day to keep me on track. Continuously adding and crossing items off my list and reprioritizing my tasks is something that comes second nature to me from my years of experience as a mechanic."