Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Organizational maintenance of E-2D engines, hydraulics, and electrical systems transfers directly to civilian aircraft systems maintenance.
How to prepare: Gather military maintenance experience records for FAA evaluation toward Airframe and Powerplant ratings. Certification requires age 18 or older, English proficiency, written, oral, and practical tests, and either qualifying experience of 18 months for one rating or 30 concurrent months 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, 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.
- 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.