Mobility Force Aviator

What does a Mobility Force Aviator do?

The Lead-MAJCOM for aircraft and mission set will determine the Mobility Force Aviator (MFA) performance tasks as outlined in Master Training Tasks/Task Training Lists associated with Mission Design Series crew positions. Performs preflight and post-flight of aircraft and aircraft systems. Receives cargo/passenger load briefings, checks placement of cargo/passengers against aircraft limitations/restrictions, determines adequacy of cargo documentation. Supervises cargo/passenger loading and offloading activities. Services aircraft (e.g. fuel, water, and hydraulics) and creates load plans for cargo and passengers. Determines and directs cargo placement and restraint equipment requirements. Computes aircraft take-off and landing data/weight and balance. Demonstrates use of aircrew flight equipment. Accomplishes passenger comfort activities during flight. Performs aircrew functions and other mission specific qualification duties to include the airdrop of personnel and equipment/cargo. Performs in-flight refueling aircrew functions and activities. Monitors and operates complex aircraft instrumentation systems during flight, to include engine and aircraft systems controls, panels, and indicators. Some missions require non-standard configurations and penetration into hostile/denied territories undetected utilizing night vision devices and terrain, following procedures often in close proximity to other aircraft and operations on unprepared surfaces. The hazardous mission and training environment demands high degrees of attention, focus, professionalism, knowledge, skill, discipline, coordination, and stress management to successfully and safely carry out. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 105000, 195000, and 105000.

Duties and responsibilities

• Performs aircraft inspections. Performs aircrew visual inspection; non-scheduled aircraft maintenance; and preflight, through- flight, and post flight inspections of aircraft away from home station. Accomplishes preflight and post- flight records and reports. Maintains aircraft forms and records during flight and while aircraft is away from home station.
• Manages cargo and passenger load briefings. Accomplishes load planning of cargo and passenger loads if required. Supervises cargo and passenger loading for off-loading operations. Directs the placement of material handling equipment to accomplish cargo on/off loading operations. Ensures cargo and passengers are placed according to load plans. Determines cargo restraint requirements according to criteria and directs and checks the application of cargo restraint equipment. Checks cargo/passenger loads against manifests. Determines and verifies passenger, cargo, fuel, and emergency and special equipment distribution and weight. Computes and applies aircraft weight and balance.
• Computes takeoff, climb, cruise, and landing data. Determines engine fuel consumption using airspeed, atmospheric data, charts, computer, or electronic calculator. Records actual aircraft performance data in flight engineer's log.
• Operates and monitors engine and aircraft systems controls and indicators according to flight manual procedures. Assists pilot or performs engine starts, and monitors run-up, flight operations, and engine shutdown. Operates engine controls to provide desired efficiency and economy. Monitors engine instruments throughout period of operation. Controls, monitors, and regulates aircraft systems such as electric, communication, navigation, hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, air conditioning, and pressurization; ventilation; auxiliary power unit; and lubrication systems. Observes warning indicators and light for fire, overheat, depressurization, and system failure. Reports abnormal conditions to pilot and recommends corrective action. Monitors provides passenger comfort. Prepares and dispenses passenger meals, snacks, and refreshments. Completes required aircraft forms documentation and border clearance requirements. Visually monitors aircraft clearances (interior and exterior), identifies proximal threats to the aircraft and initiates corrective actions (aircraft scanning).
• Performs in-flight refueling aircrew duties. Checks forms for equipment status. Performs visual and operational check of air refueling and associated systems and equipment. Performs in-flight operational check of air refueling systems. Directs receiver aircraft into air refueling position. Operates in-flight air refueling controls and switches to safely affect contact between tanker and receiver aircraft. Monitors control panel for proper operation of equipment during air refueling and advises receiver pilot of actions required to safely maintain position within the air-refueling envelope. Keeps tanker pilot informed as to progress of air refueling operations. Performs emergency operations and procedures as required for emergency off-load and on-load of fuel.
• Ensures availability of fleet service equipment and receives and stows in-flight meals. Accomplishes passenger briefings to include the use of emergency equipment, evacuation procedures, and border clearance requirements. Demonstrates the use of passenger emergency oxygen systems and life vests. Supervises passengers in-flight. Performs jumpmaster duties.
• Conducts cargo and personnel airdrops according to directives. Attaches extraction parachutes to cargo and platforms. Inspects cargo and platforms, extraction systems and connects static lines. Checks tiedowns, parachutes, containers, suspension systems, and extraction systems to ensure proper cargo extraction or release. Operates aircraft airdrop systems and supervises cargo and paratroopers exiting the aircraft.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Mandatory knowledge of: electrical, arithmetic, mechanical, navigation, communication, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems applying to aircraft and related systems; flight theory; minor in-flight maintenance; aircraft emergency procedures; in-flight refueling system; using and interpreting diagrams, schematics, aircraft performance charts, loading charts, technical publications and flight manuals; aircraft refueling systems; flying directives; weight and balance factors; cargo tie- down techniques; using survival equipment and oxygen; border agency clearance; dispensing and preserving food aboard aircraft; and understanding types, capacities, and configuration of transport aircraft.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with course(s) in mechanics, mathematics, physics, computer principles, speech, and English is desirable.

Training. Completion of the following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated.

• 1A112 Completion of Enlisted Undergraduate Flying Training.
• 1A132. Completion of Initial Qualification Training for the assigned aircraft/crew-position and Initial Qualification Course and accompanying Certificate of Aircrew Qualification AF Form 8 in Mission Design Series.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 1A152. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1A132. Also, experience is mandatory in functions such as aircraft and performance weight and balance computations, aircraft records maintenance, aircraft systems maintenance and inspections, inspecting, operating, and troubleshooting in-flight refueling systems; preparing or verifying load plans; loading and unloading aircraft; and instructing passengers in the use of emergency equipment and procedures, in-flight emergency procedures; using personal equipment and oxygen, communications; current flying directives; interpreting diagrams, loading charts, and applicable technical publications; border agency clearance requirements and forms; principles of dispensing and preserving food aboard aircraft; and cargo and personnel airdrop techniques and equipment; certify and maintain Mission Ready (MR) and/or Combat Mission Ready (CMR) status; experience and understanding in aviation organizational functions and shops to include Training, Tactics, Scheduling, and Evaluations.
• 1A172. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1A152. Also, experience is mandatory in performing or supervising functions such as flight engineer activities., inspecting, operating, and troubleshooting in-flight refueling systems; preparing or verifying load plans; loading and unloading cargo on aircraft; and instructing passengers in the use of emergency equipment and procedures, airdrop techniques; weight and balance factors; arithmetic, emergency equipment and in-flight emergency procedures; personal equipment and oxygen use; communications; current flying directives; interpreting diagrams, and applicable technical publications; border agency clearance requirements and forms; principles of dispensing and preserving food aboard aircraft; and cargo restraint techniques. Ability to supervise aviation organizational functions and shops to include Training, Tactics, Scheduling, and Evaluations.
• 1A192. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1A172 and experience managing and directing Mobility Mission functions and activities.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty:
• See attachment 4 for entry requirements.
• For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs:
• Physical qualification for aircrew duty according to DAFMAN 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards, Class III medical standards.
• Normal depth perception as defined in DAFMAN 48-123.
• Qualification for aviation service according to AFI 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Aviation Badges.
• Must maintain eligibility to deploy and mobilize worldwide.
• Height in accordance with DAFMAN 48-123 and as directed in the current Medical Standards Directory Section T.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs:
• Must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• Specialty requires routine access to Tier 3 (T3) information, systems or similar classified environments.
• Completion of a current T3 Investigation required IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Department of the Air Force Personnel Security Program.
• Must not be downgraded to Non-Mission Ready/Non-Combat Mission Ready (NMR/NCMR), or Unqualified (UQ) Status more than four periods in a Ready Aircrew Program cycle due to events under the aircrew member’s control. NOTE: Award of the entry level without a completed T3 Investigation is authorized provided an interim Secret security clearance has been granted according to DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $53,490–$53,490 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: $53,490