AM

AM Community Overview (ACTIVE)

AFCM Community Overview (ACTIVE)

AM Career Path
 

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. Aircrew volunteers from this rating perform in-flight duties in various types of aircraft.

General Description 

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. Aircrew volunteers from this rating perform in-flight duties in various types of aircraft.
 
What They Do

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, post-flight 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. 
 
Requirements

ASVAB: VE+AR+MK+AS = 210 OR VE+AR+MK+MC = 210
Must have normal color perception
Must have normal hearing
Notes: Visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20. When specified, uncorrected visual acuity must not be greater than that indicated (i.e. 20/100), and must be correctable to 20/20. Must be high school graduate.