The Aircraft Life Support Trade is responsible for providing serviceable aircraft, aircrew safety and survival equipment to meet ADF operational requirements. Fitters are employed on duties which include removal, installation and maintenance of aircrew and aircraft safety, rescue and survival equipment. This trade is responsible for systems including parachutes (maintenance only), aircrew helmets, aircrew oxygen masks, aircrew and passenger life preservers, aircrew/passenger G-Suits, aircrew/passenger immersion suits, life rafts, emergency beacons, pyrotechnics and other aircraft/aircrew specific systems. They are also responsible for the procurement, packaging and identification of safety equipment and the amendment of technical publications. Personnel within this trade are required to present briefs on aircrew/aircraft safety and survival equipment to various audiences.

In addition, Aircraft Life Support Fitters operate industrial sewing machines in the manufacture of various fabric components in support of aircraft and ADF requirements.

Working Conditions. The working environment is normally a comfortable indoor environment although outdoor work is required at times when life support equipment is being Installed or removed from aircraft or personnel are employed on flightline duties.

Hazards. Inherent hazards exist in tasks associated with moving machinery, handling and inspection of pyrotechnic devices, compressed gas cylinders and the used of dangerous chemicals and substances. Minor cuts and bruises may be sustained, but the possibility exists of sustaining more serious injury. Personal protective equipment is provided where necessary and its use is enforced.

Physical Effort. Usually the physical effort required is not arduous and is comparable with that required in the allied aircraft trades.

Manual Dexterity and Physical Co-ordination. Manual dexterity is required during packing and folding of aviation life support systems and operation of industrial sewing machines. This is an acquired specialist dexterity and normal physical co-ordination is adequate.

Speed and Accuracy of Movement. Usually there is no requirement for speed of movement but a high degree of accuracy is required for all tasks associated with aerospace life support systems.

Contact with Others. Aircraft Life Support Tradespeople are required to frequently interact with aircrew, other technical trades and civilian staff. Additionally, they are required to instil aircrew with a sense of confidence in survival equipment.

Probability and Consequence of Error. The essential requirement for supervision of critical tasks minimises the likelihood of errors; however, the consequences of error are extreme and may involve the loss of aircraft and, in the most extreme cases, death of personnel.

Responsibility for Money and Material. The job does not involve any responsibility for the care of money but does require the use of expensive materials and equipment for which the usual accounting procedures are required.

Trade Criticality. The duties of an Aircraft Life Support Tradesperson are critical to the operational effectiveness of the RAAF and are vital to the safety and survival of aircrew and passengers.

Weapons Systems. Aircraft Life Support Fitters are employed (almost exclusively) within one of the following Weapons Systems:

• Fighter (F/A 18, Hawk, PC9);
• Maritime (AP3C Orion);
• Strike (F111); and
• Transport (Hercules, Caribou, C17, Boeing 707).