In order to qualify, you must meet the Supplement to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for Air Reserve Technicians (ART), dated October 2017, GS-2185 Supplemental Enlisted ART Qualifications. No specific length of experience is required. The qualifications of Aircraft Loadmaster, GS-2185-08 OR Aircraft Loadmaster (Instructor) GS-2185-09 are directly related to the completion of prerequisite training rather than years of experience.
Flying Hours, Certificates and Ratings Required:
To qualify, Aircraft Loadmasters must hold or qualify for the ratings:
Aircraft Loadmaster GS-2185-08: Must have been awarded or qualify for Career Enlisted Aviator Air Force Specialty Code (CEA AFSC) and hold a valid aviation service aeronautical order. Currently Instructor qualified in any Mission Design Series (MDS) or have a minimum of 300 Total Military Flight Time in any CEA crew position.
Aircraft Loadmaster (Instructor) GS-2185-09: Must have been awarded or qualify for Career Enlisted Aviator Air Force Specialty Code (CEA AFSC) and hold a valid aviation service aeronautical order. Must be currently qualified as Instructor in Mission Design Series (MDS) and have a minimum of 500 Total Military Flight Time. "Instructor Qualified" is defined as completing an approved instructor syllabus course. Individuals are required to submit AF Form 8 Certificate of Aircrew Qualification or AF Form 942 Record of Evaluation from their Flight Evaluation Folder or equivalent sister service Record of Instructor Evaluation.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
- Knowledge of systems and equipment associated with the cargo function, including operation of doors, loading ramps, cargo winches, restraint rail systems, and assigned passenger/cargo compartment systems, such as oxygen, lighting, interphone, auxiliary power unit, crew or passenger required items, and emergency procedures, evacuation routes and use of survival equipment.
- Knowledge of aircraft capacity and limitations, including floor load restrictions, shoring and restraint requirements, and use of load charts and graphs, as applied in consideration of weight and balance factors during preparation of loading plans to provide the optimum center of gravity throughout the flight.
- Knowledge of procedures for preparing cargo for loading, palletized cargo, vehicle preparation, handling and placement of hazardous cargo, and preparing containers and pallets for airdrop, configuring for personnel airdrops.
- Skill to direct crews in loading according to weight and balance factors, cargo destination, emergency jettison plans, and use of rigging extraction systems for aerial delivery mission.
- Skill to perform preflight checks and inspections.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing to prepare lessons, documents and reports, present training/instruction, and brief passengers and crews.
HAZARDS INVOLVED: The incumbent is exposed to the hazards associated with aircraft flight. Additionally, is exposed to the extreme hazard of operating and working around aircraft doors in flight and the extreme hazards induced from operating aircraft in an actual or simulated tactical environment, which may include but not limited to, combat aircrew training sorties, aggressive maneuvers, low level flight, formation flight, aerial refueling, airdrop, maximum effort takeoffs and landings, and unpressurized operations at high altitude. During engine running on-loads and offloads the loadmaster works outside the aircraft, often on unimproved runways and in adverse environmental conditions. The incumbent is exposed to dangers posed by the engines and high velocity exhaust. Airdrop missions require extensive specialized training in aerial delivery systems and gravity release containers as well as complex shifting load weight and balance distribution computations. Frequently uses Night Vision Goggles (NVG) while performing aircrew duties. During combat offload, the danger from unlocked shifting cargo is extreme.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.