Definition
In aviation, a person certificated by the FAA to inspect, service, repair, and approve aircraft and aircraft components for return to service. Most are certificated under 14 CFR Part 65 with an Airframe (A) rating, a Powerplant (P) rating, or both (A&P), and may additionally hold an Inspection Authorization (IA) allowing them to perform annual inspections and approve major repairs and alterations.
Plain English
A trained, FAA-licensed person legally allowed to work on aircraft and sign off that the work was done correctly and the aircraft is safe to fly again.
Context Anchor
You may see this term during preflight when a defect, damage, or uncertain condition needs maintenance attention before the airplane is flown.
Derivation
From Greek mēkhanikos, 'relating to machines.' The aviation use narrows the everyday meaning of 'someone who fixes machines' to a specifically certificated person authorized to work on aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
A pilot must verify that any mechanic who performed work has properly documented it and returned the aircraft to an airworthy condition before flight.
Intuition Check
Mechanic does not mean just anyone who can fix things. In this FAA context, it means a properly certificated aircraft maintenance person with specific authority to do aircraft work.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight the pilot found a loose cowling fastener and asked the mechanic to inspect it before the flight.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight walk-around the pilot looked for any new discrepancies the mechanic might have noted.