Aircraft Fuel Systems

What does the Aircraft Fuel Systems career field do?

Removes, repairs, inspects, installs, and troubleshoots aircraft fuel systems including integral fuel tanks, bladder cells, and external tanks. Maintains associated hardware and equipment. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 160200.

Duties and responsibilities

• Advises on aircraft fuel systems removal, repair, and installation maintenance procedures and policies. Diagnoses fuel system and component malfunctions. Recommends corrective actions and resolves problems using technical publications and analytic techniques.
• Performs maintenance on aircraft fuel tanks and cells. Removes access panels, and depuddles, purges, repairs, and tests fuel tanks and cells. Performs entry and maintenance in confined spaces. Removes, repairs, and replaces malfunctioning components. Prepares aircraft surfaces, and applies sealants, adhesives, and associated chemicals.
• Supervises, inspects, and evaluates aircraft fuel systems maintenance activities. Cleans fuel cells and tanks, and inspects for foreign objects, corrosion, cell deterioration, and fungus. Stores, handles, uses, and disposes of hazardous material and waste. Initiates deficiency reports, maintenance analysis documents, technical data changes, and equipment records. Records information on data collection forms and automated systems.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: internal hardware such as valves, interconnects, lines, gauges, controls, pumps, and other attachments; sealing materials; sheet metal parts; rubber properties and organic sealing compound applications; layout drawing use; technical publications; concepts and applications of maintenance directives; work policies and procedures; and proper handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste and material.

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

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

• 2A634. Completion of a basic aircraft fuel systems maintenance course.

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

• 2A654. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A634. Also, experience in functions such as installing, repairing, or troubleshooting aircraft fuel systems and related components.
• Career Development Program (CDP) 2A654, Aircraft Fuel Systems Journeyman, is required for upgrade to the 5-skill level.
• 2A674. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A654. Also, experience supervising functions such as installing, repairing, or troubleshooting aircraft fuel systems.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty:
• Normal color vision as defined in DAFMAN 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–$108,790 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: $66,440
• Aviation Inspectors: $78,400
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers: $60,580
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers: $45,270
• 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
• Quality Control Systems Managers: $108,790