Aircraft Attending

Aircraft Attending

Federal Wage System Position

Work Performed

This standard is used to grade nonsupervisory work concerned with the servicing of military and civilian aircraft both foreign and domestic. The work involves meeting and guiding incoming aircraft to appropriate parking areas, directing aircraft into parking position through hand signals, securing aircraft (e.g., chock wheels, attach ground wires, and install lock pins and engine covers), refueling aircraft, obtaining and operating aircraft ground support equipment (e. g., gas turbine compressors and auxiliary power units), and servicing (i.e., checking and replenishing) aircraft with oil, hydraulic fluid compressed air, nitrogen, liquid oxygen, demineralized water, and other consumable materials. Most work requires the incidental use of a variety of trade practices associated with occupations such as motor vehicle operating, tractor operating, and fuel distribution system operating.

Skill and Knowledge Requirements

as the grade 6 in meeting, guiding, directing, securing, refueling, operating ground support equipment (e.g., auxiliary power units), and servicing engine oil tanks and hydraulic fluid reservoirs. However, in addition, the grade 7 applies a greater level of knowledge in accomplishing more difficult and complex servicing operations involved in servicing components and systems such as hydraulic accumulators, landing gear struts, and oxygen and pneumatic systems. The grade 7 aircraft attendant must have a thorough knowledge of specific servicing requirements for each component and type of system according to the aircraft to be serviced (e.g., specialized hose adaptors for pneumatic systems on certain aircraft, type of gas, and refill and critical pressures), preservicing procedures on oxygen and pneumatic servicing carts (e.g., building up transfer pressure in liquid oxygen trailers and setting manifold control and regulator valves), and the effect of ambient temperatures on oxygen and pneumatic servicing procedures. The grade 7 aircraft attendant is also skilled in various techniques and procedures necessary to check and refill liquid oxygen converters, hydraulic accumulators, landing gear struts, pneumatic and gaseous oxygen systems on a variety of aircraft. The aircraft attendant at this level must have a practical understanding of the hydraulic and pneumatic principles governing the behavior of liquids and gases utilized in servicing equipment (e.g., gaseous servicing trailers) and the components and systems (e.g., liquid oxygen converters and hydraulic accumulators) being serviced to insure proper servicing. The grade 7 is skilled in the setup, adjustment, and operation of liquid oxygen and pneumatic servicing trailers.

Physical Effort

: Grade 6 aircraft attendants exert light to moderate physical effort while performing duties such as operating flightline vehicles (e.g., tugs and vans), uncoupling and making couplings between vehicles and towed equipment, and occasionally are required to lift objects in excess of 23 kilograms (50 pounds). The work requires frequent kneeling, stooping, bending, reaching, and climbing on and under aircraft.