Avionics Technician Career Guide: Duties, Earnings and Employment Outlook
Submitted by: Gypsy Santiago
Job Overview: Avionics technicians are the ones who handle navigation, flight control, communication, life support and other functions of a modern aircraft. They are responsible for maintaining, repairing and installing systems such as air pressurization, lighting and other aircraft functions. Since avionics is a wide field, most technicians specialize in one or two area of expertise, such as oscilloscope review, computerized guidance systems or microcircuit TV microscopy, among others. Because of this, tasks vary largely depending on the specialization of technicians.
Education, Training and Knowledge Requirements: In the United States, avionics technicians must complete high school and possess an FAA mechanics certificate, which is earned by completing a two or four-year training program in FAA-certified schools. Some technicians obtain 4-year degrees in avionics, electronic engineering or a similar field. Courses in calculus, technical writing, geometry, engineering or other relevant fields can also be helpful. These technicians must also possess restricted radiotelephone operator licenses.
Skills & Abilities: Aircraft technicians must have a high degree of mechanical aptitude, excellent written and verbal skills, ability to diagnose and solve complex mechanical problems, advanced knowledge in aircraft systems, computer technology and materials used in manufacturing aircrafts. Agility is also a necessary skill because technicians regularly climb and reach aircrafts on the job. They must be hard working, self-motivated, enthusiastic, proactive, detail-oriented and be able to work well as part of a team or independently. They must also be continually updated with new aircraft technologies and techniques to perform the job well.
Duties:
Tasks of an avionics technician include inspecting, testing, adjusting and repairing avionics equipments such as radio, radar, navigation, compass, pulse and other systems that are installed in space vehicles and aircraft; checking avionics equipment components for defects; testing avionics equipments under simulated conditions to verify perfect performance; adjusting, repairing and replacing defective components after rigorous testing; calibrating equipments to meet prescribed specifications; adjusting radio frequencies; accompanying flight crew for post-flight repair work; signing overhaul documents needed in equipment replacement or repair; and operating ground station, among others.
Earnings & Job Outlook: Avionics technicians hold jobs in airlines, aircraft maintenance companies for both private and government agencies. Employment in avionics is expected to grow 10% through 2016. Those technicians with several years of experience and better credentials find the most job opportunities with larger pay. Salary runs at $21 to $28 per hour, depending on the size of airline, type of company, job location or other factors.
Gypsy Santiago is a professional resume writer and career search strategy/career branding coach with years of experience in assisting job seekers prepare for the job market. She helps create career-targeted resumes, provides useful tips about career transition, offers future career ideas and guide jobseekers about effective job search techniques.
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