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2A635 Career Guide

Air Force

2A635: Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Maintenance Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Maintenance Technician (2A635)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2A635 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Aircraft Mechanic/Technician

$73K
High matchHigh demand

Avionics Technician

$78K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Aircraft Electronics Technician certificationAdvanced knowledge of digital electronics

Aerospace Engineering Technician

$68K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

CAD software proficiencyData analysis

Hydraulics Technician

$55K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry certifications (e.g., Certified Fluid Power Hydraulic Specialist)Knowledge of industrial hydraulic systems

Wind Turbine Technician

$58K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Wind turbine-specific trainingClimbing and rescue certificationElectrical systems knowledge

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2A635 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You use system schematics and technical orders to understand the complex interplay of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems in aircraft. You troubleshoot malfunctions by mentally simulating the system's operation and pinpointing deviations from the expected behavior.

The ability to understand and predict how different components interact within a complex system is highly valuable in many fields. You can quickly grasp the big picture and anticipate the impact of changes or failures in one part of the system on the others.

Procedural Compliance

Your work demands strict adherence to technical orders, safety regulations, and maintenance procedures. You understand the importance of following established protocols to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft systems.

Your commitment to following established procedures and your meticulous attention to detail makes you a reliable and trustworthy professional. You can ensure projects are done right the first time and to specification.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You are adept at troubleshooting and repairing aircraft systems under pressure, often with limited resources or in challenging environments. You can maintain functionality and safety even when faced with unexpected problems or equipment failures.

You're not thrown when things go wrong. Your experience adapting to unexpected problems will enable you to find creative solutions and maintain operations in the face of adversity.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitor the performance of aircraft systems, remaining alert to potential problems or anomalies. You use your understanding of the system to anticipate potential issues and take proactive measures to prevent failures.

You have a keen awareness of your surroundings and the ability to anticipate potential problems. This allows you to proactively address issues before they escalate, preventing costly downtime or disruptions.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Quality Control Inspector

SOC 51-9061

You've been trained to meticulously inspect complex systems and components. Your background in aerospace maintenance provides you with a strong foundation for ensuring products meet quality standards and specifications in manufacturing or other technical industries.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099

You've been trained in hydraulic and mechanical systems troubleshooting. This translates well to the maintenance and repair of wind turbines, which also rely heavily on hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems. You'll be right at home ensuring these complex machines operate reliably.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062

You've been repairing aircraft hydraulic and electrical systems, you have the skills to maintain and repair robots in manufacturing, logistics, and other industries. You are familiar with schematics and troubleshooting which is directly transferable to robotics.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, TX

680 training hours17 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Hydraulic and pneumatic principles
  • Aircraft hydraulic system components
  • Troubleshooting hydraulic systems
  • Repair and overhaul of hydraulic components
  • Inspection and testing procedures
  • Use of technical manuals and diagrams
  • Hazardous materials handling
  • Aircraft In-flight Refueling (IFR) systems

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) - Airframe70% covered

Requires study of FAA regulations, aircraft structures, and inspection procedures specific to civilian aircraft. Additional practical experience on civilian aircraft types may be needed.

Certified Fluid Power Mechanic (CFPM)60% covered

Requires study of specific fluid power components, systems, and troubleshooting techniques commonly found in industrial applications. May need additional training on specific manufacturers' equipment.

Recommended Next Certifications

FAA Inspection Authorization (IA)NDT Level II Certification (Specific Method)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Automated Maintenance Systems (various)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software
Aircraft Hydraulic Power Units (various models)Industrial hydraulic power units (Enerpac, Bosch Rexroth)
Hydraulic Fluid Contamination Analysis Kits (various)Oil analysis and fluid testing services (Bureau Veritas, ALS)
TO 1-1-691 - Aircraft Jacking and ShoringSAE AS3867 - Aircraft Jacks
Digital Multimeters (Fluke, BK Precision - military versions)Digital Multimeters (Fluke, Keysight, etc.)
Aircraft Specific Technical Orders (TOs) - Hydraulic SystemsAircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM) - OEM provided
Support Equipment (SE) hydraulic test standsHydraulic Component Test Stands (SPX Flow, Eaton)

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