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Air Operations Support Technician

Non-Commissioned Member | Part Time

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    • Overview

    Air Operations Support Technicians (AOS Tech) provide support in the areas of aircraft servicing and handling, Assistance to Search and Rescue (SAR), airfield and base security, and transport and general duties.  In supporting of aircraft maintenance, AOS Techs perform quality assurance checks, aircraft handling tasks such as parking, towing, marshalling, starting, refueling and cleaning of aircraft. When working at Search and Rescue (SAR) Squadrons, AOS Techs maintain serviceability of a variety of SAR and medical equipment, set up and tear down parachute drop zones, transport equipment and personnel by vehicle or boat, and assist with diving exercises.  AOS Techs also perform airfield and base security duties, including site and aircraft security, guard and access control duties.

    Air Operations Support Technicians (AOS Tech) will provide support in the areas of:

    • Aircraft servicing and handling,
    • Assistance to Search and Rescue (SAR),
    • Airfield and base security, and
    • Transport and general labour.

    In supporting aircraft maintenance, they will perform the following duties:

    • Perform quality assurance checks
    • Perform aircraft handling tasks which include:
      • Parking
      • Towing
      • Marshalling
      • Starting
      • Refueling
      • Cleaning

    Work environment

    Some AOS Techs working at Search and Rescue (SAR) Squadrons will perform the following duties:

    • Maintain serviceability of a variety of SAR and medical equipment;
    • Set up and tear down of parachute drop zones
    • Transport equipment and personnel by vehicle or boat
    • Assist with diving exercises.

    All AOS Techs will also perform airfield and base security duties, including the following:

    • Site security, including guarding armed aircraft
    • Guard duties
    • Access control duties

    Career Overview

    Transcript

    I feel good, like, we're saving people.

    Hi, my name is Cpl Ashley Cameron. I am an Air Operations Support Technician at 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Trenton, Ontario. I come from a village in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick.

    What led me to become an Air Operations Support Technician was, I was originally in Anchor Lake before this. I had applied for Supply Tech and that was how I found out about this position.

    Being the first AOS Tech in Trenton has been a challenge, paving the route for more people to come into the trade. I guess it was just essentially difficult because they don't create a brand new trade very often.

    My job allows me to contribute to the RCAF through part-time service by supporting Maintenance Technicians in their primary roles of maintaining an aircraft and participating in servicing an elementary tasks.

    Some of the work that I do at 9 Hangar would be parking an aircraft, which is marshalling an aircraft into its parking spot, starting an aircraft, standing in front of the plane, talking to the pilot, making sure their engines are running properly.

    AOS Techs have a variety of different roles within the trade. Along with supporting maintenance crews, some AOS Techs can become a qualified spotter to search while on training or real Search and Rescue missions.

    This trade will consist of three different strands: Search and Rescue support, maintenance support and Wing Auxiliary Security Force.

    SAR support is going to consist of helping out the Search and Rescue Technicians, picking them up wherever they may land, helping them pack parachutes. Any type of support they really require, we'll be there to help them out.

    Working alongside maintainers is very rewarding. It allows me to learn many different aspects of maintaining an aircraft. For me, the best of the time of the day is when the plane lands and I work with my crew to get it ready for the next mission.

    We are also involved with airfield security, which could include guarding aircraft, conducting ground patrols or ensuring positive identification of personnel entering the airfield.

    One of the amazing aspects of being a part-time reservist is you can have a civilian career as well. For example, I'm a barber and I have my own barber shop near the base. So, I think I have the best of both worlds.

    I definitely look forward to it. I'm excited to see where it goes from here. Being there from the beginning, I'm excited to see it evolve and all it all turns out in the end.

    They like the help because there's a lot going on.

    Related Civilian Occupations

    • Airport Services

    Training

    The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training. This training typically takes place over a period of weekends in your local area. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

    Learn more about Basic Training here.

    Entry plans

    No previous work experience or career related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

    The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec.

    Foreign education may be accepted.

    Part time options

    This position is only available for part-time employment through the Reserve Force. Reservists generally work part-time for a unit in their community. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

    Reservists train with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required professional standards of the job. If additional training is required, arrangements will be made by the home unit.

    Typically, Reserve Force members work or train with their home unit for at least four evenings and one weekend per month, from September to May of each year. They are paid 92.8 % of Regular Force rates of pay and receive a reasonable benefits package.