Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM)

The Aviation Structural Mechanic - Hydraulics (AM), maintains all aircraft main and auxiliary hydraulic power systems, actuating subsystems and landing gear. Responsible for maintenance on the aircraft fuselage (mainframe) wings airfoils, and associated fixed and moveable surfaces and flight controls. These technicians may also volunteer to fly as Naval aircrew. Aircrew performs numerous in-flight duties and operates aircraft systems in turbojet, helicopter, or propeller aircraft. The duties performed by AMs include:

• Maintain aircraft landing gear system, brakes, and related pneumatic systems, reservoir pressurization, emergency actuating devices, pumps, valves, regulators, cylinders, lines, and fittings
• Service pressure accumulators, emergency air bottles, oleo struts, reservoirs, and master brake cylinders
• Inspect, removes and replace components of hydraulic systems
• Replace gaskets, packing, and wipers in hydraulic components
• Remove, repair and replace aircraft fuselage, wings, fixed and movable surfaces, airfoils, regular seats, wheels and tires, controls and mechanisms
• Remove, install and rig aircraft flight control surfaces
• Fabricate and assemble metal components and make minor repairs to aircraft skin
• Install rivets and metal fasteners
• Paint
• Weld
• Fabricate repairs for composite components
• Perform non-destructive dye penetrant inspections (NDI)
• Perform daily, preflight, postflight and other periodic aircraft inspections

Working Environment

Aviation structural mechanics may be assigned to sea or shore duty any place in the world, so their working environment varies considerably. They may work in hangars or hangar decks, or outside on flight decks or flight lines at air stations. A high noise level is a normal part of their work environment. AMs work closely with others, do mostly physical work and require little supervision. AMs may also serve as flight engineers aboard certain aircraft.

A-School (Job School) Information

• Pensacola - 43 calendar days
• Pensacola - 11 calendar days (only some recruits will attend this course)

ASVAB Score Requirement: VE+AR+MK+AS = 210 OR VE+AR+MK+MC = 210

Security Clearance Requirement: None (except for those who volunteer for aircrew duty)

Other Requirements

• Vision must be correctable to 20/20
• Must have normal color perception
• Must have normal hearing
• Must be high school graduate
• No history of drug abuse

Sub-Specialties Available for This Rating: Navy Enlisted Classification Codes for AM

Current Manning Levels for This Rating: CREO Listing

Note: Advancement (promotion) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a rating's manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings).

Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating

• First Sea Tour: 48 months
• First Shore Tour: 36 months
• Second Sea Tour: 36 months
• Second Shore Tour: 36 months
• Third Sea Tour: 36 months
• Third Shore Tour: 36 months
• Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
• Forth Shore Tour: 36 months

Note: Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.

Much of the above information courtesy of the Navy Personnel Command.