Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
F-35C organizational maintenance of powerplants, airframes, hydraulics, and environmental control systems transfers directly to aircraft systems maintenance.
How to prepare: Assemble documentary evidence of your military maintenance experience for FAA review against Airframe and Powerplant rating requirements. 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 covering both, graduation from an FAA-approved maintenance school, or completion of the military JSAMTCC course; air carriers often require certification even though it is not an FAA requirement 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.
- Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.