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Homework Help: Social Studies: Government: Aircraft Launch and Recovery Specialists
by Bobby Thomson
Job Description: The military operates thousands of aircraft that take off and land on aircraft carriers all over the world. The successful launch and recovery of aircraft is important to the completion of air missions and the safety of flight crews. Aircraft launch and recovery specialists operate and maintain catapults, arresting gear, and other equipment used in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing operations. There are no direct civilian counterparts to military aircraft launch and recovery specialists. However, many of the skills learned are relevant to jobs performed by ground crews at civilian airports.
Duties: Military aircraft launch and recovery specialists may perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate consoles to control launch and recovery equipment including catapults and arresting gear
- Operate elevators to transfer aircraft between flight and storage decks
- Install and maintain visual landing aids
- Test and adjust launch and recovery equipment using electric and mechanical test equipment and hand tools
- Install airfield crash barriers and barricades
- Direct aircraft launch and recovery operations using hand or light signals
- Maintain logs of airplane launches, recoveries, and equipment maintenance
Working Conditions: Aircraft launch and recovery specialists work outdoors aboard ships while operating and maintaining launch and recovery equipment or holding visual landing aids for incoming aircraft. They are exposed to noise and fumes from jet and helicopter engines. This occupation is open only to men.
Educational Requirements: Job training consists of between 9 and 13 weeks of classroom instruction including practice in maintaining launch and recovery equipment. Course content typically includes operating launch and recovery equipment; installing crash barriers and barricades; maintaining launch and recovery equipment; and, handling aircraft.
Outlook: The military services have about 2,780 aircraft launch and recovery specialists. On average, they need about 160 new aircraft launch and recovery specialists each year. For more information visit Today's Military online.
Military service: Military aircraft launch and recovery specialists are enlistees in the Navy, Marines and the Coast Guard.
Homework Help: Social Studies: Government
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