Aerospace Ground Equipment

What does the Aerospace Ground Equipment career field do?

Maintains aerospace ground equipment (AGE) to support aircraft systems or subsystems. Manages AGE functions and activities. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 160200.

Duties and responsibilities

• Performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on AGE. Inspects, tests, and operates AGE to determine equipment serviceability and proper operation. Diagnoses mechanical and electronic circuitry malfunctions using visual and auditory senses, test equipment, and technical publications. Removes, disassembles, repairs, cleans, treats for corrosion, assembles, and reinstalls AGE accessories and components. Stencils and marks AGE. Services equipment with fuel, oil, coolant, water, hydraulic fluid, and air. Operates, cleans, inspects, and services AGE towing vehicles. Maintains vehicle forms. Provides dispatch service for AGE, including positioning equipment to support aircraft maintenance and flying operations.
• Diagnoses malfunctions and repairs AGE. Evaluates and performs troubleshooting on AGE before assigning repair action. Inspects and approves completed maintenance actions. Prepares AGE for storage, shipment, and mobility deployment. Solves repair problems by studying drawings, wiring diagrams and schematics, and technical publications. Uses automated maintenance system to monitor maintenance trends, analyze equipment requirements, maintain equipment records, and document maintenance actions. Analyzes and repairs ground support equipment using conventional and digital multimeters, voltmeters, ohmmeters, oscilloscopes, circuit card testers and hand tools. Maintains AGE external fuel and grounding systems. Performs battery serviceability checks. Stores, handles, uses, and disposes of hazardous material and waste according to environmental standards.
• Plans and organizes AGE maintenance activities. Establishes production controls and standards. Interprets and implements policy directives and instructions pertaining to maintenance, including environmentally safe maintenance practices. Determines resource requirements, including facilities, training, equipment, and supplies. Inspects maintenance activities, evaluates resource use, and recommends corrective actions. Determines equipment serviceability criteria when it does not exist.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: principles of electricity, electronics, general mechanics, heating, refrigeration, pneumatics, hydraulics, and reciprocating and turbine engines; troubleshooting, inspecting, repairing, and modifying equipment; use of automated maintenance systems; application of maintenance management techniques; interpretation of maintenance directives, technical publications, drawings, wiring diagrams and schematics; and proper identification, handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste materials.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in general science and industrial arts is desirable.

Training. For award of AFSC 2A632, completion of the AGE initial skills course is mandatory.

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

• 2A652. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A632. Also, experience in functions such as inspecting, modifying, or repairing AGE.
• 2A672. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A652. Also, experience performing or supervising functions such as inspecting, modifying, repairing, or troubleshooting AGE.
• 2A692. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A672. Also, experience managing AGE functions and activities.

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.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license to operate government motor vehicles (GMV) in accordance with AFI 24-301, Vehicle Operations
• 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.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $30,060–$115,640 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: $68,570
• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: $66,440
• Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants: $26,540
• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: $44,050
• Avionics Technicians: $67,840
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers: $60,580
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers: $36,390
• Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment: $70,200
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
• Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers: $36,390
• Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles: $39,570
• Electronics Engineers: $107,540
• Engine and Other Machine Assemblers: $45,770
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: $62,850
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: $50,590
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: $31,760
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics: $55,490
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: $40,460
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery: $50,100
• Non-Destructive Testing Specialists: $64,190
• Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanic: $37,530
• Tire Repairers and Changers: $30,060
• Training and Development Managers: $115,640
• Training and Development Specialists: $62,700
• Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors: $78,400