Tactical Aircraft Maintenance

What does the Tactical Aircraft Maintenance career field do?

Maintains tactical aircraft, support equipment, and forms and records. Performs and supervises flight chief, expediter, crew chief, repair and reclamation, quality assurance, and maintenance support functions. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 160000.

Duties and responsibilities

• Services aircraft. Performs end-of-runway, ground handling postflight, preflight, thru-flight, special inspections, and phase inspections. Performs sortie generation operations and hot pit refuels. Advises on problems maintaining, servicing, and inspecting aircraft and related aerospace equipment. Uses conventional or automated technical data to diagnose and solve maintenance problems on aircraft systems. Interprets and advises on maintenance procedures and policies to repair aircraft and related equipment.
• Troubleshoots and maintains aircraft engines, hydraulic, and other related systems, structures, components, and related equipment. Removes and installs aircraft and engine components. Conducts functional tests of repaired engines, components, and systems. Adjusts, aligns, and rigs aircraft systems. Supervises and performs aircraft jacking, lifting, and towing operations.
• Inspects aircraft structures, engines, systems, components, and related systems. Supervises and performs aircraft, engine, and component inspections. Interprets inspection findings and determines adequacy of corrective actions. Inspects and checks components for clearances, tolerances, proper installation, and operation. Inspects and operates powered and nonpowered aerospace ground equipment. Inspects and identifies aircraft corrosion for prevention and repair. Reviews maintenance forms, aircraft records, automated maintenance data systems, and historical reports to ensure complete documentation. Inventories and maintains aircraft equipment.
• Performs flight chief, production superintendent, expediter, crew chief, repair and reclamation, and maintenance support functions. Coordinates maintenance plans and schedules to meet operational commitments. Supervises and assists in launching and recovering aircraft. Reviews maintenance data collection summaries to determine trends and production effectiveness. Performs crash recovery duties. Performs staff and supervisory management functions.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: principles applying to aircraft systems; flight theory; hydraulic principles; electrical theory; principles, concepts, and application of maintenance directives and data reporting; using technical data; technical order use; Air Force supply and deficiency reporting procedures; and proper handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste and materials.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school courses in physics, pneudraulics, and electronics is desirable.

Training.

• For award of AFSC 2A333X, completion of a suffix specific basic aircraft maintenance course is mandatory.
• For award of AFSC 2A373, complete craftsman aircraft maintenance course, if applicable.

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

• 2A353X. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A333X. Also, experience in functions such as repairing and maintaining aircraft or related installed equipment.
• 2A373. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A353X. Also, experience performing or supervising functions such as installing, inspecting, repairing, or overhauling aircraft structures, systems, and components.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty:
• Normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• 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.
• For award and retention of AFSCs 2A3X3/X, completion of a current Tier 3 (T3) Investigation required IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Air Force Personnel Security Program, is mandatory. 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 $30,060–$108,790 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: $39,060
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: $40,460
• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: $66,440
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: $53,160
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
• Aviation Inspectors: $78,400
• Administrative Services Managers: $98,890
• Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: $68,570
• Avionics Technicians: $67,840
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary: $55,620
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers: $36,390
• Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers: $36,390
• Engine and Other Machine Assemblers: $45,770
• First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: $62,850
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: $31,760
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics: $55,490
• Industrial Production Managers: $108,790
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery: $50,100
• Tire Repairers and Changers: $30,060