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AMH Career Guide

Navy

AMH: Aviation Hydraulics Mechanic

Career transition guide for Navy Aviation Hydraulics Mechanic (AMH)

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Aircraft Mechanic/Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license

Hydraulic Technician

$68K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial hydraulics experienceIndustry certifications (e.g., Certified Fluid Power Hydraulic Specialist)

Wind Turbine Technician

$62K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Climbing certificationElectrical systems knowledgeSpecific wind turbine maintenance training

Maintenance Supervisor

$78K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project management experienceOSHA safety certificationsCivilian management training

Automotive Mechanic

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certificationsElectronic diagnostic skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your AMH training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

Troubleshooting complex aircraft hydraulic systems requires understanding how each component interacts within the larger system to maintain flight control and safety.

The ability to understand and diagnose complex systems translates to effectively managing intricate processes in various civilian industries.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict maintenance manuals and safety protocols is critical when working on aircraft hydraulic systems to prevent accidents and ensure operational readiness.

Following established procedures and regulations is essential for maintaining safety and quality control in many civilian roles, ensuring consistent and reliable outcomes.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Diagnosing and repairing hydraulic systems under pressure, often in suboptimal conditions, demands resourcefulness and adaptability to maintain operational capability.

The ability to troubleshoot and find solutions under challenging circumstances translates to resilience and problem-solving skills valuable in any fast-paced civilian environment.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining constant awareness of the aircraft's overall condition and operational status is crucial when performing maintenance on hydraulic systems, ensuring flight safety.

Understanding the big picture and how individual actions affect the overall operation is vital in civilian roles, contributing to informed decision-making and proactive problem-solving.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Amusement Park Ride Technician

SOC 49-9091

You've been trained to maintain complex hydraulic systems on aircraft. Now, put those skills to use ensuring the safety and reliability of amusement park rides. Your experience with troubleshooting, diagnostics, and preventative maintenance will be invaluable in this role.

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9052

You're accustomed to working with intricate mechanical systems and ensuring they operate efficiently. Wind turbines use hydraulics for blade pitch and yaw control, and your expertise in system modeling and maintenance makes you an ideal candidate to keep these renewable energy sources running smoothly.

Industrial Robotics Technician

SOC 49-9062

You've honed your skills maintaining hydraulic systems on aircraft. Industrial robots also heavily rely on hydraulics. You'll be excellent at diagnosing and repairing complex machinery in a manufacturing setting.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aviation Hydraulics Mechanic A School, Naval Air Station Pensacola

640 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Hydraulics Technology

Topics Covered

  • Basic Hydraulics Principles
  • Hydraulic System Components (Pumps, Valves, Actuators)
  • Aircraft Hydraulic Systems (Flight Controls, Landing Gear)
  • Pneumatic Systems
  • Hydraulic Fluid Contamination Control
  • Troubleshooting Hydraulic Systems
  • Use of Technical Manuals and Schematics
  • Safety Procedures for Hydraulic Maintenance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Fluid Power Hydraulic Specialist (CFPHS)65% covered

Requires study of specific hydraulic component design, advanced troubleshooting techniques, and fluid power safety standards specific to civilian industries. Also, understand vendor-specific systems.

Mobile Hydraulic Mechanic Certification (MHMC)50% covered

Focus study on mobile hydraulic systems, including diagnostics, repair, and maintenance specific to heavy equipment and vehicles. Additional training in failure analysis and preventative maintenance strategies is needed.

Recommended Next Certifications

Nondestructive Testing (NDT) Level II Certification (various methods, e.g., Ultrasonic Testing)Associate's Degree in Aviation Maintenance TechnologyProject Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP)FAA Part 145 Repair Station regulations and compliance software
Hydraulic fluid contamination analysis equipment (various models)Oil analysis and tribology testing equipment and services
Aircraft hydraulic power test stand (various models)Hydraulic system testing and calibration equipment
Advanced Fluid System Tester (AFST)Automated fluid power diagnostic tools
Joint Oil Analysis Program (JOAP)Predictive maintenance software and oil condition monitoring services
Automated Maintenance Environment (AME)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software

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