Avionics Training - Avionics Technicians

Aviation has come a long way since the Wright Brothers. All commercial and military planes today function on technology that has very little to do with the body of the airplane and the engine that propels it off the runway into the sky. All these new, technological bells and whistles integral to modern aviation are called avionics.

Job Requirements for Avionics Technicians

Avionics systems are now an integral part of aircraft design and have vastly increased aircraft capability. Avionics technicians repair and maintain components used for aircraft navigation and radio communications, weather radar systems, and other instruments and computers that control flight, engine, and other primary functions.

These duties may require additional licenses, such as a radiotelephone license issued by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Because of technological advances, an increasing amount of time is spent repairing electronic systems, such as computerized controls. Avionics technicians also may be required to analyze and develop solutions to complex electronic problems.

Avionics Technicians Job Outlook

Of the 200 aviation maintenance schools in the US, most offer avionics training. And avionics training should be well worth it. According to the US Bureau of Labor statistics, opportunities for avionics equipment mechanics should be excellent for persons who have completed avionics training. Employment of aircraft mechanics is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012, and large numbers of additional job openings should arise from the need to replace experienced mechanics who retire.

Who Employs People with Avionics Training

As the airline goes through deep structural changes, retirement of current workers is expected to take place quickly and in great numbers. Major airline companies are always actively looking for candidates, with avionics training, to fill those positions.

And again according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics held about 154,000 jobs in 2002; about 1 in 6 of these workers was an avionics technician.