Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

What does the Aircraft Hydraulic Systems career field do?

Troubleshoots, removes, repairs, overhauls, inspects, adjusts, installs, and tests aircraft hydraulic and In-flight Refueling (IFR) systems and components, including support equipment (SE). Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 160200.

Duties and responsibilities

• Advises on problems maintaining aircraft hydraulic systems. Determines maintenance procedures and performance characteristics using technical publications. Inspects, operates, troubleshoots, removes, repairs, overhauls, and installs aircraft hydraulic and pneumatic systems and components, including SE. Identifies and isolates malfunctions, services, bleeds, bench checks, rigs, and performs adjustments to aircraft hydraulic components, associated electrical components, power systems, landing gear, nose wheel steering, brakes, flight controls, weapons and cargo door systems, air refueling receiving systems, IFR systems, hoist and winch systems, engine start systems, recovery systems, arresting gear, air induction systems, and canopy systems.
• Inspects and pressure tests hydraulic hose and tube assemblies. Drains and flushes hydraulic systems. Overhauls, repairs, adjusts, aligns, and tests hydraulic system and sub-system components. Fabricates and bench checks hose assemblies. Operates and maintains shop equipment.
• Uses hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical/electronic principles and fundamentals, technical orders, and schematic diagrams to isolate malfunctions. Records pertinent data on equipment maintenance data collection forms and enters data into Maintenance Information Systems. Maintains inspection and maintenance records. Recommends methods to improve equipment, performance, and maintenance procedures. Handles, labels, and disposes of hazardous materials and waste according to federal, state, and local environmental standards.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: electrical/electronic, and mechanical principles applying to aircraft hydraulic systems; concepts and application of maintenance directives; use and interpretation of schematic/wiring diagrams, blueprints, and technical orders; and proper handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste and materials.

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

Training. Completion of a basic aircraft hydraulic systems apprentice course is mandatory for award of AFSC 2A635.

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

• 2A655. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A635. Also, experience in functions such as removing and installing system components, performing operational checks, troubleshooting simple malfunctions using system schematics, and repairing hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical/electronic systems, components, and SE.
• 2A675. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A655. Also, experience performing or supervising maintenance functions in repair of aircraft hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical/electronic systems, components, and SE.

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 $30,500–$108,790 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: $66,440
• Aviation Inspectors: $78,400
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers: $45,270
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: $31,760
• Helpers--Production Workers: $30,500
• Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $57,320
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: $40,460
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery: $50,100
• Quality Control Systems Managers: $108,790