Flight Operations Specialists

Background

The services operate one of the largest fleets of aircraft in the world. Hundreds of transport, passenger, and combat airplanes and helicopters fly missions every day. Accurate flight information keeps operations safe and efficient. Flight operations specialists prepare and provide flight information for air and ground crews.

What They Do

Flight operations specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Check military flight plans with civilian agencies
• Coordinate air crew needs, such as ground transportation
• Help plan flight schedules and air crew assignments
• Keep air crew flying records and flight operations records
• Keep flight logs on incoming and outgoing flights
• Plan aircraft equipment needs for air evacuation and dangerous cargo flights
• Receive and post weather information and flight plan data, such as air routes and arrival and departure times

Physical Demands

The ability to speak clearly and distinctly is required.

Special Requirements

No information available.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to keep accurate records
• Ability to use typewriters and office machines
• Interest in work involving computers
• Interest in work that helps others

Helpful School Subjects

Helpful school subjects include:

• General math

Helpful Fields of Study

No information available.

Work Environment

Flight operations specialists work indoors in flight control centers or air terminals.

Services offering this career:

• Air Force
• Army
• Marine Corps

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for enlisted personnel.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training consists of seven to 14 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty.

Course content typically includes:

• Flight planning and airfield operations
• Introduction to aviation operations
• Preparing flight operations reports and records
• Procedures for scheduling aircraft and assigning air crews

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian flight operations specialists work for commercial and private airlines and air transport companies. They perform duties similar to military flight operations specialists.

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 8,000 flight operations specialists. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new specialists due to changes in personnel and demands of the field. After training, new specialists keep logs and type schedules. With experience, they schedule air crews. In time, they may plan flight operations and supervise others.