Avionics Technician: Duties & Salary
by Robyn Tellefsen
Avionics may be defined as "aviation electronics." Avionics systems-components used for instruments and computers that control flight, engine, and other primary functions-are now an essential part of aircraft design and have vastly increased aircraft capability. When you become an avionics technician, you become a key player in the aviation industry.
What does an avionics technician do?
Along with engineers and other aircraft maintenance workers, avionics technicians are integral members of the ground aviation team. Engine operations, flight patterns, navigation systems, radio communications, and weather radar systems must be maintained by certified avionics technicians. In fact, safe air travel would be impossible without professionals trained in the science of avionics.
Avionics technicians install, inspect, test, adjust, and repair avionics equipment such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles. Simply put, avionics technicians repair and maintain the technologies that power aircraft.
Before aircraft can get off the ground, avionics technicians must set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems. Then they must interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.
It is essential that avionics technicians be able to troubleshoot and diagnose complex aircraft systems, which may include repairing and maintaining components used for aircraft navigation and radio communications, weather radar systems, and other instruments and computers. Since a great deal of time is spent repairing electronic systems such as computerized controls, avionics technicians may be required to analyze and develop solutions to complex electronic problems.
How much do avionics technicians get paid and what kinds of avionics jobs can I get?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), avionics technicians held about 16,000 jobs in 2006, most of which were at major airports near large cities. The highest levels of employment of avionics technicians are in the aerospace product and parts manufacturing industry as well as the industry of support activities for air transportation.
Median annual earnings of avionics technicians were $49,310 in May 2008, reports the BLS, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $64,200. According to AVJobs.com in August 2009, professionals with avionics jobs commanded an average annual salary of $56,583.
The fact is, avionics schools launch in-demand careers. Avionics careers are best for those who are prepared to master the intricacies of the aircraft and work with airframe and powerplant technicians. Cross-training from avionics schools and the ability to work with complex aircraft systems provide the best job prospects. The avionics technician who is certified to remove or reinstall airplane equipment is in the greatest demand.
With additional education and training from avionics schools, you may become an aviation engineer, communication engineer, or electrical engineer specializing in circuit design and testing. You might also become a repair consultant or in-house electronics designer.
If you are an analytical, adaptable achiever with great attention to detail, learn more about avionics careers via training at avionics schools. With practical education from avionics schools, you can fly to new career heights.
What does an avionics technician do?
Along with engineers and other aircraft maintenance workers, avionics technicians are integral members of the ground aviation team. Engine operations, flight patterns, navigation systems, radio communications, and weather radar systems must be maintained by certified avionics technicians. In fact, safe air travel would be impossible without professionals trained in the science of avionics.
Avionics technicians install, inspect, test, adjust, and repair avionics equipment such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles. Simply put, avionics technicians repair and maintain the technologies that power aircraft.
Before aircraft can get off the ground, avionics technicians must set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems. Then they must interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.
It is essential that avionics technicians be able to troubleshoot and diagnose complex aircraft systems, which may include repairing and maintaining components used for aircraft navigation and radio communications, weather radar systems, and other instruments and computers. Since a great deal of time is spent repairing electronic systems such as computerized controls, avionics technicians may be required to analyze and develop solutions to complex electronic problems.
How much do avionics technicians get paid and what kinds of avionics jobs can I get?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), avionics technicians held about 16,000 jobs in 2006, most of which were at major airports near large cities. The highest levels of employment of avionics technicians are in the aerospace product and parts manufacturing industry as well as the industry of support activities for air transportation.
Median annual earnings of avionics technicians were $49,310 in May 2008, reports the BLS, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $64,200. According to AVJobs.com in August 2009, professionals with avionics jobs commanded an average annual salary of $56,583.
The fact is, avionics schools launch in-demand careers. Avionics careers are best for those who are prepared to master the intricacies of the aircraft and work with airframe and powerplant technicians. Cross-training from avionics schools and the ability to work with complex aircraft systems provide the best job prospects. The avionics technician who is certified to remove or reinstall airplane equipment is in the greatest demand.
With additional education and training from avionics schools, you may become an aviation engineer, communication engineer, or electrical engineer specializing in circuit design and testing. You might also become a repair consultant or in-house electronics designer.
If you are an analytical, adaptable achiever with great attention to detail, learn more about avionics careers via training at avionics schools. With practical education from avionics schools, you can fly to new career heights.
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by James Moss submitted on Jul 8, 2010