What Does an Avionics Technician Do?

The aviation industry is expanding at a phenomenal pace. Besides a career in flying an aircraft, there are many other job roles aspiring candidates can think of pursuing if one has the right credentials and educational qualifications. Among them, one is that of an avionics technician. If this field interests you, you should know more about the avionics technician job description. Here's a detailed look.

What is an Avionics Technician?

An avionics technician specializes in maintaining and repairing electronic systems in aircraft. The avionics technician duties are varied since aircraft maintenance comprises numerous aspects- communication, navigation, radar, autopilot, and instrumentation systems. These are just a few areas that make up the avionics technician job requirements.

Avionics technician duties also entail using various sophisticated equipment to diagnose and troubleshoot issues, perform regular inspections, and conduct necessary repairs or replacements to ensure the optimal functioning of aircraft electronics.

Let's take a detailed look at the avionics technician job requirements.

Avionics Technician Job Requirements

The aircraft avionics technician job description is varied. Whether it is the navigation and communication systems or the flight controls and instrumentation, the job role requires an individual to have specialized knowledge. So, what does an avionics technician do? Here's a breakdown.

1. Inspection and Testing

Among the varied avionics technician duties, the designated individual is required to conduct regular inspections of avionics systems, also referred to as aviation electronics, and ensure that they meet the required safety and performance standards. To do this, avionics technicians utilize specialized equipment that helps them assess the functionality and integrity of all electronic components.

2. Troubleshooting and Diagnosis

When the avionics system of an aircraft malfunctions or experiences performance issues, it is up to the avionics technician to identify the root cause. Special diagnostic tools, such as multimeters and oscilloscopes, help the professional evaluate electronic signals and pinpoint the faults in the aircraft system.

3. Maintenance and Repair

Avionics technician duties will be incomplete without the overall maintenance of an aircraft system. Avionics technicians perform routine maintenance checks to avoid system failures and ensure optimal performance. They do this by cleaning components, checking for loose connections, replacing old parts, and replacing faulty circuit boards. The avionics technician job requirements include undertaking complex repairs, troubleshooting intricate wiring problems, and updating software when required.

4. Installation and Integration

An important facet of the avionics technician job description is upgrading the entire avionics system. The avionics technician is responsible for its installation and integration. They follow detailed instructions and technical diagrams to mount equipment, connect wiring, configure settings, and ensure the new systems are correctly calibrated.

5. Compliance and Documentation

One of the key avionics technician job requirements is strict adherence to regulatory standards and guidelines, ensuring that all installations and repair works meet the country's aviation regulations. To ensure this, avionics technicians document their work and keep accurate records of all maintenance activities and repairs, including any modifications to the avionics systems.

6. Collaboration and Communication

Consistency in communication with all stakeholders is a key aspect of any job role in the aviation industry. In avionics technician job requirements, it becomes even more critical. Avionics technicians often work closely with other professionals, such as mechanics, engineers, and pilots. They must also communicate effectively to convey and understand avionics-related issues and provide technical support or guidance.

7. Continuous Learning and Training

Because avionics technology is constantly changing, technicians must stay current. As part of the avionics technician job description, avionics technicians must continue to learn to maintain a competitive skill set. Both seasoned experts and aspiring candidates can use training programs, workshops, and certifications to improve their knowledge and abilities and ensure they are prepared to manage contemporary avionics systems.

8. Calibration and Alignment

So, what does an avionics technician do? Calibration and alignment become essential facets of avionics technician job requirements. This job involves route check-ups and calibration of instruments such as altimeters, radar systems, and autopilot devices to ensure that they provide precise data during flight.

9. Electrical Wiring and Schematics

When reviewing the avionics technician job description, it is important to note that avionic technicians also ensure that all electrical wiring and complex wiring schematics are correctly installed, functional, and free from damage.

10. Field Support and Emergency Response

While not a core part of avionics technician requirements, avionics technicians may be called upon to provide field support. This includes troubleshooting and fixing aircraft systems during flight hours. It is also essential to their job role since it allows for rapid response to in-flight system failures or troubleshooting avionics issues.

Types of Avionics Technicians

Now that we have reviewed the avionics technician job requirements, let's examine the different types of avionics technicians who specialize in handling different areas of aircraft systems. We have detailed some of the most popular job categories in this role.

• Aircraft Avionics Technician (General): This type of professional is skilled in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining all aspects of avionics systems.
• Flight Control System Technician: This type of avionics technician is responsible for ensuring that all aircraft's flight control systems run as required.
• Navigation Systems Technician: As the name suggests, this category of avionics technician focuses on the maintenance and repair of navigation systems, such as GPS, radio navigation, and radar systems.
• Communication Systems Technician: They ensure that all communication systems in an aircraft, such as radio communication systems, are operating at the optimum level.
• Military Avionics Technician: Military aircraft are different from commercial aircraft, requiring a different skill set to evaluate and remedy faulty issues in its avionics systems. This cohort of technicians also works on advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, and missile guidance systems.
• Specialized Avionics Technicians: Some avionics technicians work directly with aircraft manufacturers. They install, maintain, and troubleshoot aircraft systems for the manufacturers, ensuring that technology is ready to be used after purchase.

How to Become an Avionics Technician?

The avionics technician requirements are quite specialized, requiring aspiring candidates to have the right education. Here are the key steps to becoming an avionics technician.

• Step 1: Get the right degree. Although education is not a prerequisite in avionics technician qualifications, a degree can help you gain a competitive edge. Avionics technicians usually study avionics, aviation maintenance management, avionics technology, or computer science in aviation. In this specialized field, you will learn more about aviation, aircraft systems, and their maintenance and repair, enabling you to be well-equipped for avionics technician job requirements.
• Step 2: Besides pursuing a bachelor's degree in an aviation-related field, you can also apply for certifications. Avionics-focused certifications can help you be more confident about how well you can handle avionics technician duties. In the US, for instance, you can be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, which permits you to work on aircraft.
• Step 3: Now that you have the necessary avionics technician qualifications, it is time to choose a specialty. The avionics system comprises numerous elements. Your chances of getting hired in this field become higher if you focus on one specific area of avionics.
• Step 4: Going back to the facet of continuous learning in avionics technician requirements, consider additional certifications once you are employed. For instance, ASTM's National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies in the United States offers four related certifications in aircraft electronics, aircraft assembly, foreign object elimination, and unmanned aircraft system maintenance. Likewise, look for certifications in your country.

How Much Do Avionics Technicians Earn?

The median annual salary for an avionics technician is around $77,420. Similarly, in the UK, entry-level technicians can earn up to £37,955 ($49,154.64) per year, with some positions offering around £70,000 ($90,655.37). Of course, annual wages in this field also depend on the location and seniority. Some specialized fields may provide more than others. For instance, the salary tends to be higher for avionics technicians who work directly with the manufacturers. However, different countries have different salary ranges. Consider researching more on how much avionics technicians earn in your country to understand the field better.

Conclusion

So much goes into the success of an aircraft system, and avionics technicians are the face behind its smooth operations. Besides the variation in what they handle, the workspace for an avionics technician keeps changing. If one day, they are required to work from an aircraft hangar, the next day, they might be on an aircraft, ensuring that all systems are working during flight. It is an exciting field that requires quick decision-making skills, critical thinking, a keen eye, and practicality. If this looks like something you will thrive in, why start applying to avionics technician jobs and make a career that is both rewarding and satisfying?