Considering a career as an avionics technician? In this article we’ll dive deep into this unique career field.
An aircraft is a complex machine made of many different components.
There’s the airframe — all the parts of the body of the craft that make it fly and give you a place to sit. There are the powerplants — all the engines and components that make it go.
And then there’s all the other stuff — the gizmos and doodads that make it all work.
Each component has a specialist to repair it, and it’s the job of the avionics technician to repair all the doodads and gizmos, in a manner of speaking.
Aircraft have become more and more complex as technology has advanced, and many of the internal systems of many planes, helicopters, and flying machines are now computerized in one way or another.
This comes in the form of glass cockpits, full of big digital displays for the pilots to look out, and down to the smallest detail, like hidden electronic boxes that have replaced the simplest mechanical instruments of yesteryear.
What Does an Avionics Technician Do?
It’s important to realize from the start that many avionics technicians start their careers working on airframes and powerplants as regular A&P mechanics.
Many avionics jobs require you to have the A&P certificate, so most people in the field do both at one point or another.
There are some limited circumstances, such as in the military or working for avionics equipment manufacturers, when you work solely on avionics for your entire career — but this is the exception rather than the rule.
What’s more, most jobs, even if you’re applying for an avionics-only position, require (or at least prefer) candidates with their A&P license.
Avionics technicians are considered specialists inside the A&P aircraft mechanic community. It’s something that you might be interested in or have an aptitude for, so you pursue it further to have more job opportunities in the field.
So, what does an avionics tech do on a day-to-day basis? A lot depends on what type of repair shop you work for.
Work at an Installation Shop
An installation shop specializes in putting avionics in planes for upgrade’s sake.
Many airframes are quite old, and they get new life by having the electronic components upgraded from time to time. This may involve putting together an entirely new cockpit — basically rebuilding it from scratch.
Or it might be as simple as swapping out a few radios for newer models.
Work at a Repair Shop
A repair shop focuses more on keeping the old stuff working and conducting the FAA’s required routine inspections.
The work is quite different between the two. For installations, there is a lot of planning and paper certification work to get the project right. For repairs, troubleshooting and problem-solving are required.
Neither installation nor repair can be described as easy since the aircraft is complex, and all the systems must work together.
What Avionics Techs Don’t Do
One thing that avionics technicians do not do is coding.
Components in the aviation world are constructed and programmed by manufacturers to exacting standards and are certified by the FAA.
This doesn’t allow much leeway with computer programming or infrastructure changes beyond the regular maintenance and repair tasks the manufacturers build into the system. In this way, it’s a bit unlike working on other computer systems.
What Does an Avionics Technician Work On?
Every aircraft type has some avionics, from the most basic light piston aircraft to the most advanced commercial and military jets.
Most of the avionics technician’s time is spent working with the airframe’s electrical system and components.
Avionics technicians work on a wide variety of installed equipment on aircraft. Even small planes have avionics, which include things like:
- Traditional flight instruments (gyroscopes and pressure-sensing instruments)
- Glass cockpit systems (screens, electronic flight instruments, etc.)
- Communication radios
- Navigation radios
- GPS systems
- Radar transponders
- Autopilots
- Intercoms and stereos
The bigger the aircraft, the more systems they have installed. Here are a few of the avionics systems that a jet might include.
- Heads-up displays
- Inertial reference systems (IRS)
- Passenger entertainment systems
- Weather radar and lightning detectors
- Radar altimeters
- Advanced autopilots with flight directors
- Traffic collision avoidance systems
- Flight data recorders
One notable change in the industry is how integrated avionics have become with airframes. In the past, aircraft manufacturers made their craft independent of the avionics.
The components were modular and not connected to one another.
Newer planes, like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, use integrated systems that are all networked and share computing power.
Where Does an Avionics Technician Work?
When you look at avionics technician jobs, there’s a variety of places where you could work. Many general maintenance shops hire avionics specialists to work on electrical systems and the installed equipment.
These shops might be small airport FBOs, charter or corporate operators, or major airlines.
Some shops specialize in nothing but avionics.
These are usually considered installation shops, where a plane goes for major avionics work. However, these shops are also where other shops will send the components for bench testing or repair when removed from the aircraft.
A shop must be certified under Part 145 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as a radio, instrument, and/or accessory repair station to repair avionics.
Many small mechanic shops are only certified for airframes and powerplants, so these shops defer to avionics specialists to repair other components.
Finally, the companies that build new aircraft hire avionics technicians as part of the production process. You might work on the assembly line building aircraft, or you might work for the companies that are building the avionics.
How Do You Become an Avionics Technician?
Like most other jobs in aircraft maintenance, avionics work can be obtained through apprenticeships or by attending an approved school.
Apprentices learn from on-the-job training.
Since there’s no specific licensing from the FAA regarding avionics, this is an option for some jobs.
However, pursuing an avionics-only job limits your career choices, and most people will want to pursue the A&P certificate for more opportunities.
The steps for how to become an airplane mechanic apply here: 18 months of training for one rating, or 30 months for both airframe and powerplant.
Going to a school enables you to knock out the A&P ratings in as little as 12 months.
With the A&P certificate in your pocket, you can apply for jobs and get on-the-job training for avionics-specific tasks related to that particular job.
You may also go to school and get training from specific equipment manufacturers (i.e., Boeing, Airbus, Gulfstream, or component companies like Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, Garmin, Raytheon, or many others).
Is a Career as an Avionics Technician Right For You?
Working on avionics isn’t for everyone.
Many A&Ps can’t stand working on ‘the little bits.’ The job requires a lot of time running wires while working in uncomfortable positions inside the fuselage.
Plus, there’s more detail-oriented troubleshooting and problem-solving. In short, it’s the mix of modern computer and automation problems combined with normal airframe work.
But it’s an excellent, growing career choice for those wanting to learn about the latest technologies and systems. And an avionics technician salary is highly competitive. The field of avionics is expanding constantly, and planes are becoming increasingly computerized with every generation.
If you enjoy problem-solving and learning new systems, working as an avionic technician can be extremely rewarding.
