Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT) are an enlisted rating of the
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, mu ...
. They inspect, service, maintain,
troubleshoot
Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process ope ...
and repair
aircraft engines,
auxiliary power unit
An auxiliary power unit (APU) is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are commonly found on large aircraft and naval ships as well as some large land vehicles. Aircraft APUs generally produce 115& ...
s,
propellers,
rotor systems, power train systems, and associated
airframe and systems-specific electrical components. They service, maintain and repair
aircraft fuselage
The fuselage (; from the French ''fuselé'' "spindle-shaped") is an aircraft's main body section. It holds crew, passengers, or cargo. In single-engine aircraft, it will usually contain an engine as well, although in some amphibious aircraft the ...
s;
wing
A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is e ...
s; rotor blades; fixed and movable flight control surfaces; and also
bleed aircraft air, hydraulic and
fuel systems. AMTs fill aircrew positions such as
flight engineer,
flight mechanic,
loadmaster
A loadmaster is an aircrew member on civilian aircraft or military transport aircraft tasked with the safe loading, transport and unloading of aerial cargoes. Loadmasters serve in the militaries and civilian airlines of many nations.
Duties
...
, dropmaster,
Aircraft Ground Handling
In aviation, aircraft ground handling defines the servicing of an aircraft while it is on the ground and (usually) parked at a terminal gate of an airport.
Overview
Many airlines subcontract ground handling to airports, handling agents o ...
, Flight Deck Handling, sensor-systems operator and basic aircrewman.
Duties
AMTs are stationed at
Coast Guard Air Stations throughout the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
and
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico (; abbreviated PR; tnq, Boriken, ''Borinquen''), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, link=yes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), is a Caribbean island and unincorporated ...
. AMTs maintain
Lockheed HC-130
The Lockheed HC-130 is an extended-range, search and rescue (SAR)/combat search and rescue (CSAR) version of the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft, with two different versions operated by two separate services in the U.S. armed for ...
,
HC-27J Spartan,
CASA HC-144A Ocean Sentry
The EADS HC-144 Ocean Sentry is a medium-range, twin-engined turboprop aircraft used by the United States Coast Guard in the search-and-rescue and maritime patrol missions. Based on the Airbus Military CN-235, it was procured as a "Medium Rang ...
,
Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk and
Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin
The Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin is a twin-engined helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for medevac-capable search and rescue (SAR) and armed Airborne Use of Force missions. It is a variant of the French-built Eurocopter AS3 ...
aircraft.
Training
The five-month course covers basic aircraft-maintenance fundamentals. Other advanced courses cover specific aircraft systems and provide troubleshooting skills. The advanced courses are taught at the Aviation Technical Training Centers in
Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City is a city in Pasquotank County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 18,629. Elizabeth City is the county seat and largest city of Pasquotank County. It is the cultural, economic and educ ...
,
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and ...
, for all but the HC-130 aircraft. The Coast Guard also uses commercial training for advanced courses. An AMT may apply for the
Aviation Maintenance Technology Program, which provides personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to fill billets requiring a high level of technical expertise. The program provides up to two years of full-time college attendance to achieve a minimum of an
associate degree in aeronautical technology.
Qualifications
Algebra, geometry, electronics and machine shop are typical courses for those seeking a rating as an AMT. Candidates must pass a flight physical and qualify for a
security clearance
A security clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information (state or organizational secrets) or to restricted areas, after completion of a thorough background check. The term "security clearance" is ...
.
References
{{reflist
United States Coast Guard job titles
Aircraft mechanics
Aviation licenses and certifications
United States Coast Guard Aviation