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Air Force AFSC · Aviation

2A5X2 Helicopter/Tiltrotor Aircraft Maintenance

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

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Overview

Helicopter and Tiltrotor Aircraft Maintenance specialists service and maintain these aircraft to keep them operating at optimal performance levels. They also disassemble and reassemble aircraft for transportation to locations around the world.

Minimum clearance: Secret

Minimum ASVAB varies by shred

ASVAB policy: Not policy-reviewed · coverage unknown · as of 2026-10-19

Program scope has not been reviewed.

Policy applicability and coverage of the program's score routes have not been reviewed. Shown-route arithmetic is not an eligibility decision.

Source: dafecd-atch4-2025-10-31 (source date 2025-10). Policy applicability has not been established.

See if you would hit this score: free ASVAB practice test

Skill levels: 2A512 helper · 2A532 apprentice · 2A552 journeyman · 2A572 craftsman

Core Skills

  • Aircraft maintenance forms and records
  • Aircraft maintenance quality assurance
  • Aviation support equipment maintenance

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Helicopter and tiltrotor maintenance, maintenance records, and quality assurance duties transfer directly to civilian aircraft maintenance work.

How to prepare: Gather documentary evidence of your military maintenance experience for FAA evaluation toward Airframe and Powerplant ratings. Certification requires age 18 or older, English proficiency, written, oral, and practical tests, and either 18 months of appropriate experience for one rating, 30 months concurrently for both, graduation from an FAA-approved maintenance school, or completion of the Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council course; air carriers often require certification for hiring, although it is not required for every airline mechanic job.

What the civilian work involves
  • Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
  • Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
  • Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
  • Access Software AIRPAX

Training & Development

Choose credentials for your target role. COOL funding markers describe program listings, not a guarantee of eligibility or funding.

Getting Started

  • ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    Develop foreign-object prevention knowledge covering housekeeping, tool accountability, and material handling for aircraft maintenance work.

    Eligibility and preparation: The exam is open to all individuals regardless of age, career field, training, education, or experience; AET certification is not required.

    For: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

  • Certified Aerospace Technician Core

    Demonstrate aerospace technical knowledge and hands-on skills through written, oral, and practical assessment.

    Eligibility and preparation: Meet any one route: active-duty or veteran military service with an aeronautical, aviation, aerospace, or engineering specialty or assignment; at least two years of work experience in one of those fields; a college or technical-school degree of at least two years in one of those disciplines; or an FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certificate.

    For: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (8 documents)
  1. DAFECD, 30 Apr 26: HELICOPTER/TILTROTOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE (2A5X2)

    [1] Specialty Summary section "HELICOPTER/TILTROTOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE"; normalized cached text lines 6394-6403; explicit AFSC match for 2A5X2

    Supports: Aircraft maintenance forms and records, Aircraft maintenance quality assurance, Aviation support equipment maintenance, Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00)

  2. O*NET: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00)

  3. FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic

    [3] Requirements and mechanic experience requirements

    Supports: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00)

  4. COOL credential mapping: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    [4] 2A5X2 cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    [7]COOL credential mapping: Certified Aerospace Technician Core · 2A5X2 cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: Certified Aerospace Technician Core

  5. SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.: ASTM NCATT certification information, exam list, and FAQ

    [5] Background; Exams Offered (Aircraft Electronics Technician, AET Endorsements, Other ASTM NCATT exams); Frequently Asked Questions; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

  6. ASTM NCATT FOE Elements of Basic Awareness Study Guide (PDF, copyright 2022 ASTM International NCATT)

    [6] Scope (sec. 1) and Significance and Use (sec. 3); retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

  7. SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.: Qualifications for SpaceTEC Certifications

    [8] Qualifications for SpaceTEC Certified Aerospace Technician Core; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: Certified Aerospace Technician Core

  8. SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.: Certified Aerospace Technician - Core Certification

    [9] Core Certification section; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: Certified Aerospace Technician Core

Defense contractor jobs for 2A5X2

Predecessor codes

Historical codes with documented links to 2A5X2. Each history page explains the change.

45711Helicopter Maintenance Helper45731Apprentice Helicopter Maintenance Specialist45751Helicopter Maintenance Specialist457X1Helicopter Maintenance

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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