head, and each division has a division officer. The size of the squadron will determine if you have a branch officer.  The  line  chief  petty  officer  (CPO)  is  the division CPO. Normally, you will work directly for the line petty officer or a shift supervisor. There are three branches (two afloat) within the line division. The following paragraphs discuss these branches. TROUBLESHOOTER  BRANCH The troubleshooter branch provides a rapid means of   troubleshooting   and   repairing   discrepancies discovered on the flight line. Also, troubleshooters are technical  advisors  to  the  plane  captains. Troubleshooters  may  be  permanently  assigned  to  the line division or they may be temporarily assigned from other work centers on a daily or hourly basis. They must be knowledgeable in line operations, flight line safety, and aircraft systems. SUPPORT EQUIPMENT BRANCH Only   shore-based   squadrons   have   support equipment (SE) branches. Lack of space aboard ship makes it impossible to store SE; therefore, an SE branch is not possible. Normally, your squadron will check out SE needed on the line. When SE is no longer needed,  it  is  returned  to  the  aircraft  intermediate maintenance department (AIMD). The SE branch is responsible for the SE used by the squadron. This responsibility   includes   the   daily/operational inspections performed on the equipment, and in some cases, minor maintenance. Refer to local procedures when you work with SE. PLANE CAPTAIN BRANCH The plane captain branch of the line division is made up of qualified plane captains and trainees (persons in training to become qualified plane captains). This branch normally has between 75 and 95 percent of the total personnel assigned to the line division. The branch does routine maintenance (daily/turnaround inspections and cleaning) and other organizational maintenance assigned by  maintenance  control. You cannot become a qualified plane captain automatically.   You   must   work   long   hours   and demonstrate  that  you  know  the  aircraft  and  its operation (orally and in writing). After demonstrating your ability. you will be designated, in writing, as a plane  captain  by  the  commanding  officer.  The following   paragraphs   discuss   the   duties   and qualifications of a plane captain. Plane Captain Duties Because naval aircraft are very complex, the plane captain does not have in-depth knowledge of all the systems   contained   in   the   aircraft.   Therefore, technicians other than the plane captain must perform those  portions  of  the  daily  and  turnaround/preflight inspections   that   are   beyond   the   technical qualifications of the plane captain. This assistance does not relieve the plane captain of their overall responsibility for the aircraft. The following is a list of the minimum duties of a plane captain: Perform   daily,   preflight,   postflight,   and turnaround inspections with assisting personnel, and  assist  others  in  performing  O-level maintenance. Assists the pilot in flight preparation and advises the pilot of the material condition of the aircraft. Responsible for the cleanliness and prevention of corrosion on the aircraft by pursuing an effective and continual preventive maintenance program. Perform the work required and assist on phase, special,  and  conditional  inspections  within  the rating specialty as required by maintenance requirements cards (MRCs). Plane Captain Qualifications Assignment as a plane captain carries a high degree of responsibility. The selection of the right person to be a plane captain is important. Regardless of rating, this person must possess the mechanical aptitude, personal integrity, and motivation necessary for the job. These qualities help to ensure that the aircraft is properly inspected and serviced before each flight. A broad screening of available personnel in the aviation ratings and  comprehensive  formal  and  on-the-job  (OJT) training programs ensure that only the most qualified individuals are designated as plane captains. The following is a list of qualifications for plane captains. Possess  the  qualities  of  personal  integrity, maturity, judgement, and aptitude. Demonstrate knowledge of the particular type of aircraft and its systems, including its cockpit, ejection seats,  and  controls. Demonstrate  knowledge  of  the  ordnance  or armament equipment installed in or on the aircraft, and ensure that the armament, ejection seat, and other cartridge-activated devices are in a safe and ready condition  during  daily,  preflight,  postflight,  and turnaround   inspections. 5-2