How to become an Avionics Technician: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Jobs, Scope, Salary

How to become an Avionics Technician: Quick Facts 

What does an Avionics Technician do? 

As an Aviation Technician, one performs all the jobs relating to aircraft tools and devices installation, maintenance and repair. The primary systems include a navigation system, radar system and radio system. Aviation technicians can conduct regular tests and inspections for all such devices that influence the working of an aircraft. Documentation like every repair or change or replace of every tool or part. The most specific job is for assembling complex parts. Some other jobs include welding and soldering, sometimes even climbing high places during repairs or testing. 

Some primary jobs that an Avionics Technician must be able to perform can be: 

1. Management of personnel as an aviation literation supervisor.
2. Power plat technician responsible for aircraft avionics and electrical systems.
3. Repairing UHF, VHF, dme, lru, radios and hand tools.
4. Troubleshoot Avionics systems as completion of the modification process.
5. Working with IFF and UHF crypto keys.
6. Performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and component level repair.
7. Training new hires on procedures and installation methods.
8. Wiring installation in production aircraft keeping up with the technical specifications, engineering instructions and authoritative regulations.
9. Check on industrial safety measures and adhere to the safety program.
10. Excelling in magnetic tolerances as per the electronic components.
11. Participation in combat operations in Grenada and Lebanon.
12. Provision support functions for internal and external QA reviews and audits.
13. Weapon specialisation as required.

Steps to become an Avionics Technician

To become an Avionics Technician, one must aspire for a minimum high school diploma, associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree. Follow the steps below to become an Avionics Technician:

Technical School Education

It is required for the Avionic Technician to attend aviation maintenance school authorised by the FAA (Federal Administration Association). One can also go for a diploma, a 2 or 4-year degree, as per the specialisation interested in aviation technology, aviation maintenance management or Avionics. 

FAA Certification 

For the completion of aircraft maintenance duties independently, one will always want an FAA certification unless an Avionics repair experience in the military or so forth is in your hand. The best choice here is a combined Airframe and PowerPlant (A&P). But other airframe mechanics are also welcome, depending upon the course of interest and speciality. 

Advancement in Career

The more one updates and enhances the skill and knowledge, the more one is eligible for higher and better career advancement opportunities. The knowledge of updated and latest technology is the key. Experience does widen your options. So the better you update the skill, the more hands you can get on. 

Some books that can be referred to for the studying of Avionics are given below. These books can also be referred to study different specialisations as per the intended interest.

1. The official FAA Advanced Avionics Handbook
2. Principles of Avionics
3. Introduction to Avionics
4. The Standard Avionics LOG
5. Avionics Certification

Types and Specialization of Avionics Technician

To pursue a career in Avionics, An Avionics tech is among the best jobs that one can go if looking for high salaries and other benefits. A career in Avionics just provides overall know-how and opens other options, such as in the military. 

Specializations of Avionics Technicians

Some of the specialisations that can be considered are:

1. Airframes and Powerplants: It is necessary to get a certificate from the federal aviation administration to specialise here. A combination certificate that authorises work on both power plant components of any craft and their frame approves working on all the parts except for the electronic system. However, the maintenance of the certificate is necessary for both, but one can always pick one.
2. Aircraft types: Specialisation in working on the type of an aircraft. Although the federal aviation administration does not require this type of specialisation for employees, the manufacturing companies prefer them. For example, mechanics may work on either planes or helicopters solely. However, they can focus on a particular aspect. Some airlines specialise in passenger jets. Others work on smaller propeller-driven planes.
3. Maintenance: Maintaining an aircraft is among the most complex or specialisations for Avionics Technician specialists. They perform routine maintenance on planes or helicopters, looking for defects or potential problems. Ranging from simple eyeball inspection to the highest advanced technology identified, these technicians have various methods and procedures to carry out the task. We are also responsible for the exterior of an aircraft. This includes wings and operational components like the landing gear, pumps, brakes engines, and so forth. Maintenance measures that correct the potential problems that are discovered are also performed.
4. Repair: The repairing work that surfaces, as per the bureau of labour statistics, is primary when there is a need discovered. The technicians are called on to make fixtures in an aircraft after it has returned. The problem discovered in preparation or in-flight can be included. The last-minute repairers who can fix the problems very quickly for rest assurance are highly capable and payable. 

Types of Avionics Technicians

Pursuing avionics, you can become an avionics technician in different and vast lines of the profession. You can either pursue the entire course and also specialise in a particular field. Although the fundamentals of building up a career in avionics teach all the specifics, the advantage of becoming a certain kind is quality knowledge. The kind of avionics one wants to pursue can be one among the following listed: 

1. Bench technician: A bench technician works on the navigation and the communication radios. The bench technician controls autopilot computers and even large mechanical assemblies like reader antennas. Duties as assigned by the management all performed by the bench avionics technician.
2. System troubleshooter: The system troubleshooter is responsible for taking the dysfunctional aircraft vices and making them functional again. Typically working with the precise tools and using microscopes, troubleshooters deal with its functional component and fits with the other component to form a working, more giant machine. In other words, troubleshooting is a type of problem-solving that applies to repairing failed components. It is his duty to identify the source of the problem and make that component operational again. 
3. Line Technician: A-line technician is working on an airport ramp at a fixed rate operator who handles general aviation aircraft in contrast to commercial traffic. It also includes responsibilities such as the movement via radio, fueling, and some others. Generally, the line technician is also known as line-tech, line guy, ramp rat or a gas jockey. 

Courses to Pursue to Become an Avionics Technician

Students who aspire on becoming an Avionics Technician should pursue the following below mentioned courses,

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is the most popular course to pursue if you want to build a future as an avionics technician. The course is related to the maintenance and the repairing of aircraft. An aircraft maintenance engineer is able to repair, troubleshoot, inspect and upgrade aircraft. With an increasing number of people travelling through airlines, AME has a bright future. For those who are looking to build the best future in the aviation sector, this is the golden era.

The aircraft maintenance engineering course is divided into two different programs. 

Program A: The program is a two-year course (1st-year academics on campus and 2nd for training with a live airlines environment). After the completion of the course you can apply for the licence. The candidates are also provided with a stipend at the time of the training phase. DGCA, Government of India, issues the licence.

Program B: The duration of the AME program is four years (2 for academics and 2 for practical training) . The live environment of airlines holds the training sessions. As in program A, the candidates are provided with a stipend at the time of training. The DGCA issues a training licence after the completion of modules and practical training. The candidate is eligible to work in the private sector or the government sector globally.

Admission procedure

Follow the following steps to become an aircraft maintenance engineer:

1. Clearing the entrance test is the first step towards becoming an aircraft maintenance engineer.

2. After clearing AME CET the AIR(All India Rank), the candidate, besides admission in the top institutes approved by DGCA the Government of India.

MBA in Aviation Management 

The postgraduate course in aviation management is a 2-year program that AIMS equips professionals who already possess the skills of being a manager in the aviation industry with a scope and a degree higher than that of the bachelor’s program—and providing better opportunities and potential. MBA in aviation management does not specialise in building professional avionics technicians, but pursuing this program only makes you a better candidate when it comes down to job opportunities. One can pursue an avionics technician program after or before. 

Admission process

Follow the following steps to take admission in MBA aviation management: 

1. Register and apply for the NDA entrance exam like MAT, SNAP, CAT. Registration must be done separately as per the college requirements.
2. Appear for the entrance examination
3. Shortlisted candidates and the cut off lists will be announced and they can then apply accordingly.
4. The final round of the evolution process includes a group discussion and personal interview by the college.
5. The original documents will be verified by the college after the clearance of all the rounds. Enrollment and allotment followed.

Diploma Courses in AME

Diploma in aircraft maintenance engineering is a 3 year (6 semesters) course approved by AICTE. The course involved designing, developing, studying and testing aircraft. The safety and security are in the hands of an AME. The fee structure for the three-year diploma is around INR 2 lacs to 4 lacs for the entire program. The candidate has to pay the fees semester wise and can avail of the bank loan facilities.

Admission process

The candidate must follow the following admission procedure to get admission in diploma in AME: 

• To join the diplomat program in avionics, the date must fill the registration form for the joint entrance examination, i.e. AME CET. 

• After clearing the entrance examination, the all India rank (AIR) besides the candidate’s admission with one of the top diplomas in the aviation sector approved by AICTE, Government of India.

Entrance Examination

For admission in the diploma program in AME, the candidate has to clear a common entrance examination, AME CET. The same process is to be followed for graduation and diploma courses to pursue avionics. The last date for registration for the entrance examination is 31 March 2023.

BTech Avionics 

B tech in avionics is a four-year graduate course incorporated in the aerospace industry ensuring safety and quality. The course focuses on industrial machinery and other aviation-related functions. Attention to electronics and computer systems is also given during the program. Training and academic works side by side inculcating capabilities in the candidates. Subjects such as Electrical systems, digital electronics, computer systems and others are a part of the program. 

Admission process

Candidates aspiring for admission in BTech aviation must appear for the b tech entrance examinations. Some colleges conduct their own examinations and processes for admission. Otherwise, the admission is merit-based. Entrance examinations that are considered include JEE MAIN, UPESEAT. 

M .Tech aeronautical engineering 

The post-graduation course in aeronautical engineering is a two years course divided into four semesters. Candidates with a first-class bachelor's degree in aeronautical Engineering or electrical Sciences can apply. The subjects that make up the program are aerodynamics, aircraft structures, aerospace propulsion, rocketry, space mechanics and finite element method. A few other subjects also add to the curriculum. 

Admission process

Different institutes have different processes to carry admission for MTech. The admission is based on the candidate's performance in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). The academic record also determines the admission of a candidate. 

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for masters of Technology in avionics, an aspiring candidate must fulfil the following eligibility criteria.

• It must have a passing degree and 10th and 12th standard with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks from a recognised university or college.
• The candidate must have a degree in BTech avionics from a recognised board or equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
• The candidate must have a valid score in the entrance examination, i.e. GATE.

Some other popular courses in the Aviation sector

The Aviation sector has vast career opportunities. With the growing interest of the youth towards the sector, various new courses have become popular recently.