Aircrew Egress Systems

What does the Aircrew Egress Systems career field do?

Maintains aircraft egress systems with ejection seats, canopies, and hatches; explosive components; electroexplosive devices (EED); subsystems; and related support equipment (SE). Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 160200.

Duties and responsibilities

• Advises on and solves installation, maintenance, and repair problems by studying schematic and technical publications. Diagnoses malfunctions and recommends corrective action. Implements maintenance and safety policies for egress systems and integral egress system components to include personnel parachute assemblies and survival kits.
• Performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on egress systems. Removes, installs, and modifies egress systems. Ensures egress explosive cartridge activated devices (CAD), pressure activated devices (PAD), and EEDS are safe or de-armed prior to performing maintenance. Performs operational and functional tests of egress systems, subsystems, and components using test equipment and test kits. Applies corrosion control procedures to escape systems and related components. Operates and maintains related SE. Uses maintenance information systems (MIS) to monitor maintenance trends, analyze equipment requirements, maintain equipment records, document maintenance actions, and time change database.
• Performs integrity inspections of the escape system. Inspects egress systems, subsystems, and components for safety, security, and serviceability. Inspects and determines serviceability of CAD, PAD and EED devices based on shelf and service life limits. Handles, labels, and disposes of hazardous waste and materials according to federal and local environmental standards.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical principles applying to aircrew egress systems; concepts and application of applicable maintenance directives; and using and interpreting schematic drawings, and technical publications.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in general science or mathematics is desirable.

Training. For award of AFSC 2A633, completion of a basic aircrew egress system maintenance course is mandatory.

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

• 2A653. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A633. Also, experience in functions such as removing, inspecting, installing, repairing, and modifying aircrew egress systems and components.
• 2A673. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A653. Also, experience performing, or supervising functions involved in maintaining and inspecting egress systems and subsystems.

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.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $31,760–$103,650 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: $66,440
• Aviation Inspectors: $78,400
• Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters: $48,510
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairer: $70,240
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: $31,760
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: $40,460
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery: $50,100