Careers

Career Description

Whether cruising at 35,000 feet or in the middle of a dogfight, the last thing a plane needs is a malfunctioning fuel system. Aircraft fuel systems are complex, which is why it takes highly trained specialists to maintain, troubleshoot and repair them. As an Aircraft Fuel Systems specialist, you'll learn every inch of a plane's fuel system and how to be meticulous and precise in everything you do because there's no room for error in your job.

Career Tasks

• Work inside and outside of fuel tanks to remove, repair, inspect, install and modify aircraft fuel systems, including integral fuel and water cell tanks, bladder cells and external tanks
• Advise on aircraft fuel systems removal, repair and installation maintenance procedures and policies
• Diagnose fuel system and component malfunctions, recommend corrective actions and/or resolve problems
• Perform maintenance on fuel tanks and cells by removing, repairing and/or replacing malfunctioning components
• Clean fuel cells and tanks and inspect for foreign objects, corrosion, cell deterioration and fungus
• Learn about internal hardware such as valves, interconnects, lines, gauges, controls, pumps and other attachments
• Learn about sealing techniques and materials, layout drawing use, interpreting technical publications and concepts and applications of maintenance directives

Relevant Interests & Skills

• Electronics
• Science and Technology
• Mathematics
• Mechanics
• Problem-solving
• Maintenance and Repair
• Working with Your Hands

Training

After eight-and-a-half weeks of Basic Military Training, every Airman goes to technical training to learn their career. Here's the basic information about Aircraft Fuel Systems technical training:

School location: Sheppard AFB [TX]

Length of course: 36 days

College degree earned: Aviation Technology

College credits earned: 12