Seen from the ground...
the flight of a jumbo jet...
or the launching of a space shuttle...
can seem like magic.
For the aerospace engineering
and operations technicians who
work on these modern marvels up close,
these events are part of their everyday jobs.
These technicians help ensure that
aerospace engineers' experimental designs
for air and space vehicles are
feasible and can be implemented.
Aerospace engineering
and operations technicians
build test facilities,
then run tests on prototypes or new models
to find problems in design or function.
They record test data and make adjustments
to prevent dangerous equipment failures.
Making live tests function as intended requires
both communication skills and technical skills.
Often when something isn't working,
technicians and engineers
troubleshoot together,
so technicians must know how to ask
the questions that will lead to the right answers.
Most aerospace engineering and
operations technicians work full time
in manufacturing plants,
laboratories, and offices.
In plants, technicians are directly involved
in assembling aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft.
Aerospace engineering
and operations technicians
typically earn an associate's degree
in engineering technology.
Security clearance may be required
for work related to national defense.
Proper execution of their duties is crucial
both for safety and performance.
In the end, it's these technicians
who carry the weight of flight.