Marine Corps MOS · Aviation
61XX Aircraft Maintenance (Rotary-Wing)
Overview
Rotary wing aircraft maintenance mechanics inspect, maintain, test, and repair helicopter and tiltrotor airframes and their components. They also work on dynamic components, power plants, power plant systems, and flight line operations.
Core Skills
- mechanical and electrical troubleshooting
- preventive and corrective maintenance
- system-level diagnostics
- technical manual interpretation
- maintenance documentation and reporting
- quality assurance and inspections
- safety and compliance with technical standards
- tool control and asset accountability
- teamwork in high-tempo environments
- time management and task prioritization
Civilian Software & Tools
- Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS
- SAP software
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
Civilian Career Paths
- Aircraft Maintenance
- Fleet Management
- Project Management
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Aviation Structures
- Mechanic (Airframe)
- NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) · Funded
- ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)
- Certified Aerospace Technician Core
Career Growth
- Certified Control Systems Technician: Level I (CCST-I) · Funded
- Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) · Funded
- Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) · Funded
- Certified Oil Monitoring Analyst: I (OMA-I) · Funded
- Certified Vibration Analyst: Category I · Funded
What the Work Involves
- Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
- 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.
- Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
Related Occupations
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
- Avionics Technicians
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: vocational training or an associate degree.
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
Report an error on this page