Find Affordable College Courses

What Do You Want to Study?

Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers

Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers: Job Description

Plan and direct the operation and maintenance of catapults, arresting gear, and associated mechanical, hydraulic, and control systems involved primarily in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing operations. Duties include supervision of readiness and safety of arresting gear, launching equipment, barricades, and visual landing aid systems; planning and coordinating the design, development, and testing of launch and recovery systems; preparing specifications for catapult and arresting gear installations; evaluating design proposals; determining handling equipment needed for new aircraft; preparing technical data and instructions for operation of landing aids; and training personnel in carrier takeoff and landing procedures.

The Daily Work of Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers Take On?

Other Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers Job Titles

This career also goes by job titles like:

  • Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer
  • Flight Deck Officer
  • Landing Signal Officer
  • V/STOL Landing Signal Officer

How Many Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers Are There?

The U.S. employs around 22,332 aircraft launch and recovery officers working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +9.5% over the projection horizon.

Forecasted number of jobs for Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers

Salary for Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers

Statistic Value
Annual median $59,091
Hourly median $28.41
10th percentile $35,983
25th percentile $47,537
75th percentile $70,645
90th percentile $82,199

Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.

Salary ranges for Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers

References

This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
  • BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
  • O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.

SOC code: 55-1012.00 (Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers).

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.