Aircraft Launch and Recovery Specialists: Career Profile
Operate and maintain catapults, arresting gear, and associated mechanical, hydraulic, and control systems involved primarily in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing operations. Duties include installing and maintaining visual landing aids; testing and maintaining launch and recovery equipment using electric and mechanical test equipment and hand tools; activating airfield arresting systems, such as crash barriers and cables, during emergency landing situations; directing aircraft launch and recovery operations using hand or light signals; and maintaining logs of airplane launches, recoveries, and equipment maintenance.
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What Tasks Do Aircraft Launch and Recovery Specialists Perform?
Other Aircraft Launch and Recovery Specialists Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Maintenance Technician
- Aircraft Launch and Recovery Technician
- Arresting Gear Operator
- Aviation Boatswain's Mate
- Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Launching & Recovery Equipment
- C-13 Catapult Operator
- Expeditionary Airfield Systems Technician
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 28,960 aircraft launch and recovery specialists working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +10.1% over the projection horizon.
Aircraft Launch and Recovery Specialists Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $47,575 |
| Hourly median | $22.87 |
| 10th percentile | $28,269 |
| 25th percentile | $37,922 |
| 75th percentile | $57,228 |
| 90th percentile | $66,881 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Where to Study
Aspiring aircraft launch and recovery specialists typically earn programs in:
Military Technologies and Applied Sciences
1 programs across 1 majors
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: 55-3012.00 (Aircraft Launch and Recovery Specialists).
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