Avionics Technician Job Description

A Flight Technician's Perspective on Aviation Operations

An avionics technician is responsible for all the electronics aboard an aircraft as well as the wiring to the electrical system. They run cables and mount antenna. They install radios, autopilots, and passenger entertainment systems.

avionics technicians install and fix equipment on fixed wing aircraft They are responsible to see that everything works correctly and that there is no interference with other electronic devices. When a device fails, they remove it and send it to a shop where a technician can fix it.

In a small facility, a technician may work on the aircraft but not the shop, but in large operations the jobs are separate. During the day, pilots will write down any issues in the aircraft log book. The technicians try to clear the entries at night.

They may be doing maintenance on aircraft software, wiring, or black boxes. Night crew technicians can repair time- consuming items that could be deferred overnight if safety is not compromised. The hangar technicians have more time to spare.

The Employment of Avionics Technician in the United States

Maintenance and repair work on airplanes, helicopters and spacecraft is performed by technicians. While aircraft mechanics focus on the physical components of flying machines, avionics technicians repair the complex electronic systems that help to power them. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that 17,070 avionics technicians worked in the United States in 2011.

The FAA approves aviation maintenance technician schools for 18- to 24 months of training, and some avionics technicians learn their trade while in the military. A technician can get an associate or bachelor's degree in aviation technology. The FAA requires all technicians to be licensed and those who perform maintenance on aircraft communication systems must be licensed by the FCC.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the average annual income of avionics technician was over $50,000 in May 2011. The average pay for avionics technician in the aerospace manufacturing industry was over $60,000 a year. The average annual salary for those employed by airlines was over $60,000.

The average salary in Connecticut was $65,100 a year, while the average salary in Montana was $33,110. Employment among avionics technicians is expected to grow by 7 percent between 2010 and 2020, slightly faster than the 6 percent growth rate expected for aircraft mechanics but significantly slower than the average growth rate of 14 percent expected for the American economy. Competition for jobs is expected to be strong, especially at airlines, which often use workers in other countries to do maintenance work.

Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanicians

Over the decade, 14,400 openings are projected for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians. Many openings are expected to be caused by the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire. A iacs technician is a specialist who repairs and maintains a plane's electronic instruments, such as radio communication devices and equipment.

More time is spent on maintaining computer systems as the use of digital technology increases. The Airframe rating allows for the repair and maintenance of many flight instrument systems, but other licenses or certifications are needed. Heavy objects, dangerous chemicals, and large power tools are some of the things aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians do.

They work on scaffolds or ladders and noise and vibrations are common. Workers must wear protection and bright colored vests to make sure they are seen when working around large aircraft. Some aircraft mechanics and service technicians get on-the-job training to learn their skills and to be able to pass the FAA exams, if they have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Aviation maintenance personnel who are not certified by the FAA are supervised until they have enough experience and knowledge to be certified. Some technicians start their careers as aircraft mechanics. As aircraft mechanics and service technicians gain experience, they may attend classes or pursue additional certifications that will allow them to work on specialized flight instruments.

Eventually, they may become avionics technicians who only work on flight instruments. The annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians was $65,450 in May 2020. Half of the workers in an occupation earn more than the median wage, and half earn less.

Certified Avionics Technician: How Do You Get Your Pay?

An avionics technician is responsible for installing and repairing various electrical systems on board an aircraft. Their main goal is to make sure that every component works properly, so that it doesn't affect the safety of passengers and crew. Depending on where you are working, you will spend the majority of your day working on various equipment on aircrafts, space-crafts, missiles and helicopters.

If you work at an air force base, your job description will be different. It is your job to perform maintenance on military and civilian aircrafts. Sometimes it is necessary to work with other teams like engineers to complete operations.

Every part of the aircraft is in working order with multiple electrical devices on board. You could use oscilloscopes and circuit analysers to conduct radar tests. If you have to, you will remove a failing device and send it to a shop for repairs.

If you are at a smaller workshop, you might work on aircrafts. The technicians work at airports where aircraft servicing or repair is done, as well as at large airports where aircraft servicing is done. SkyWest Airlines, Guardian Flight, DynCorp International are some of the employers.

General Atomics and affiliated companies, Sierra Nevada Corporation, and Precision Avionics Group are some of the companies that are included. You must work under close supervision of an experienced and licensed avionics professional if you want to get the necessary years of work experience. To become a certified avionics technician, you will have to pass an oral, written and practical exam that shows your skills and knowledge.

Aviation Technicians

You need a lot of skills to be a successful technician. Critical thinking and technical troubleshooting are important for knowing how to diagnose and test electronic equipment. The ability to read different types of machinery is important.

You should have strong skills in mechanical and electrical engineering. Communication skills are important for the job as you need to communicate major problems with your superiors. The technicians work in manufacturing facilities and airports.

Around 30% of avionics technicians work for companies that make products for theAerospace industry and another 30% work industries that provide air transportation support. You can find work in the military or in the air industries. Aviation technicians work in hangars, air stations, and production hangars, which are typically climate controlled, unlike mechanics who work in the open.