# Aircraft Launch and Recovery Specialists

> Operate and maintain catapults, arresting gear, and associated mechanical, hydraulic, and control systems involved primarily in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing operations. Duties include installing and maintaining visual landing aids; testing and maintaining launch and recovery equipment using electric and mechanical test equipment and hand tools; activating airfield arresting systems, such as crash barriers and cables, during emergency landing situations; directing aircraft launch and recovery operations using hand or light signals; and maintaining logs of airplane launches, recoveries, and equipment maintenance.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aircraft-launch-and-recovery-specialists
- SOC code: 55-3012.00
- Career family: Military
- Median annual pay: not reported
- Projected growth: not reported
- Openings a year: not reported
- Typical entry education: not reported
- Bright outlook: no

## Also called

Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Maintenance Technician, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Technician, Arresting Gear Operator, Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Launching & Recovery Equipment, C-13 Catapult Operator, Expeditionary Airfield Systems Technician

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- Military Systems and Maintenance Technology (CIP 2904, 8 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach](https://www.collegesref.com/college/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-daytona-beach-908) | Military Systems and Maintenance Technology | $58,318 | $72,903 | $25,500 |

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.