Airport Operations Manager
$95KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Part 139 Certification
- — Airport safety and security procedures
Live · Guide v1.07315 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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NAVY · 7315Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.7315.R.04
7315 · NAVY · WarrantAircraft Handling
Aircraft Handling
Officer.
Navy 7315 (Aircraft Handling Officer). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $65K–$95K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 3 semester hours in aviation management and safety
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/6direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 7315 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 7315 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have06
- 01Rapid Prioritization→ Managing multiple projects under pressure, triaging tasks, and allocating resources effectively.
- 02Team Synchronization→ Leading and motivating teams to achieve common goals and fostering a collaborative environment.
- 03Situational Awareness→ Risk management, identifying potential hazards, and implementing preventative measures.
- 04Procedural Compliance→ Ensuring adherence to regulations and guidelines, and implementing procedures effectively.
- 05Naval Aviation Fuel Management System (NAFMS)→ Understanding automated fuel inventory management and control systems.
- 06Integrated Launch and Recovery Television Surveillance (ILARTS)→ Grasping industrial video monitoring and surveillance systems.
To learn10
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux command line basics+Cloud computing fundamentals (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Scripting with Python or Bash+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, routing)+Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools+Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing basics+Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+SQL for data querying and manipulation+Project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum)+Stakeholder management and communication strategies
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Aerospace Engineering Technician
$72KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — CAD software proficiency
- — Materials science knowledge
- — FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
Logistics Manager
$88KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management certification
- — Lean Six Sigma certification
Firefighter/EMT
$65KModerate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — State Firefighter Certification
- — National Registry EMT certification
Safety Manager
$82KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — OSHA 30-Hour Certification
- — Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 7315 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Rapid Prioritization
As an Aircraft Handling Officer, you constantly juggle competing demands on the flight deck, making split-second decisions about which aircraft need immediate attention based on mission requirements, fuel levels, and maintenance schedules. You're the air traffic controller for a highly dynamic, high-stakes environment.
Transfers to
This translates directly into the ability to manage multiple projects under pressure, triaging tasks and allocating resources effectively to meet deadlines and optimize outcomes. You're adept at identifying the most critical issues and addressing them swiftly and decisively.
Team Synchronization
Coordinating the movement of aircraft on a crowded flight deck requires flawless teamwork. You lead a team of specialists, each responsible for a specific aspect of aircraft handling. Your leadership ensures everyone understands their roles and executes them in perfect sync to avoid accidents and maintain operational tempo.
Transfers to
In the civilian world, this means you excel at leading and motivating teams to achieve common goals. You understand how to break down complex tasks, assign responsibilities, and foster a collaborative environment where everyone contributes their best work.
Situational Awareness
Maintaining complete awareness of everything happening on and around the flight deck is critical. You constantly monitor aircraft positions, weather conditions, equipment status, and personnel movements to anticipate potential problems and react proactively. Your vigilance prevents accidents and ensures smooth operations.
Transfers to
This translates into exceptional risk management skills. You have a keen eye for detail, the ability to identify potential hazards, and the foresight to implement preventative measures. You're able to stay calm and focused under pressure, making sound decisions even in rapidly changing circumstances.
Procedural Compliance
Aircraft handling is governed by strict procedures designed to ensure safety and efficiency. You enforce these procedures rigorously, ensuring that all personnel adhere to them without exception. Your commitment to following established protocols minimizes the risk of errors and accidents.
Transfers to
This demonstrates your unwavering commitment to quality and safety. You understand the importance of following regulations and guidelines, and you're meticulous in ensuring compliance. You're able to implement and enforce procedures effectively, creating a culture of accountability and excellence.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Hospital Administrator
SOC 11-9111.00You've been managing complex, high-stakes operations with precision and calm under pressure. You are used to managing diverse teams and making critical decisions in a fast-paced, regulated environment, all of which are essential for running a smooth, safe, and efficient hospital.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Manager
SOC 11-3071.00You've been coordinating the movement of aircraft and resources in a highly demanding environment. That makes you an ideal logistics manager who can handle complex supply chains, optimize delivery schedules, and ensure efficient resource allocation for any large organization.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Director
SOC 11-9161.00You've been responsible for aircraft crash and salvage operations, as well as firefighting capabilities. You have experience with emergency response, disaster planning, and risk mitigation, all of which are crucial for protecting communities from natural disasters and other emergencies.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School (OCS)
Newport, RI and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) 'C' School, Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 3 semester hours in aviation management and safety
Topics · 8
- Aviation fundamentals
- Flight deck operations and safety
- Aircraft carrier systems
- Aircraft handling procedures
- Firefighting and damage control
- Hazardous materials handling
- Personnel management
- Aviation fuel systems
Partial coverage · 3
- Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)70%
Requires studying the specific codes and standards related to fire protection in civilian buildings and industrial facilities. Also, understanding different types of fire suppression systems beyond those used on naval vessels.
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)60%
Focus on fixed-wing aircraft operations, FAA regulations for civilian aviation, and business management principles relevant to aviation management. Deeper dive into airline and airport operations.
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry40%
Needs further study on general workplace safety beyond flight deck and hangar environments, including topics like confined space entry, electrical safety, and hazard communication in a broader industrial context.
Recommended next · 03
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)Adjacent
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Launch and Recovery Television Surveillance (ILARTS) | Industrial video monitoring and surveillance systems with remote access and recording | Operations |
| Manually Operated Visual Landing Aid System (MOVLAS) | High-intensity airfield lighting systems and visual glide slope indicators | Operations |
| Naval Aviation Fuel Management System (NAFMS) | Automated fuel inventory management software and control systems for large fuel depots | Operations |
| Aircraft Crash and Salvage Crane (e.g., A/S32A-36) | Heavy-duty mobile crane with specialized rigging for vehicle recovery | Aviation |
| AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) Firefighting System | Large-scale industrial foam fire suppression systems for flammable liquid hazards | Operations |
| JP-5 Fuel Distribution System | Aviation fuel distribution and storage systems at airports | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 7315 into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.