What Do Avionics Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Avionics Technicians install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles. They also test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.

Other tasks include:

• Keep records of maintenance and repair work.
• Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.
• Install electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems in aircraft, using hand tools, power tools, or soldering irons.
• Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.
• Assemble components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes, using hand tools or soldering irons.
• Lay out installation of aircraft assemblies and systems, following documentation such as blueprints, manuals, and wiring diagrams.

We asked Avionics Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 70% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Avionics Technicians set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems. They keep records of maintenance and repair work.

A typical day for an Avionics Technician will also include:

• Coordinate work with that of engineers, technicians, and other aircraft maintenance personnel.
• Assemble components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes, using hand tools or soldering irons.
• Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.
• Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
• Lay out installation of aircraft assemblies and systems, following documentation such as blueprints, manuals, and wiring diagrams.

We asked some Avionics Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	23% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	53% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	89% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	15% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	7% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	44% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Avionics Technicians also connect components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refueling systems, using hand tools and soldering irons. They may also interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Avionics Technicians Lay out installation of aircraft assemblies and systems, following documentation such as blueprints, manuals, and wiring diagrams. They might also Fabricate parts and test aids as required.

In addition, they Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.

To some Avionics Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Operate computer-aided drafting and design applications to design avionics system modifications.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Avionics Technician, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm

http://www.amfanational.org/

http://www.avm-mag.com/

http://www.faa.gov/