Avionics News August 2012 - 40

SO... YOU WANT TO BE AN AVIONICS TECHNICIAN?
Continued from page 39

EDUCATION If the military isn’t for you, many other options exist, though you’ll have to pay for them. The usual suspects in aviation education offer a wide variety of programs enabling a career as an avionics technician. If you want a formal, academic education, institutions like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the University of North Dakota and Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale offer four-year programs leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in multiple aviation disciplines. When a student at one of these institutions majors in aviation maintenance science (ERAU), aviation technology management (UND) or aviation electronics (SIUC), the training necessary for the FAA’s A&P certificate is a part of the program. An FAA pilot certificate also can be included, depending on curriculum choices. Don’t have four years to earn a bachelor’s degree? A two-year associate degree might be an option. All three universities listed above offer them, and graduates also can earn the FAA A&P certificate. Regardless, many other colleges, universities and technical schools offer quality training and degree programs that lead to becoming an avionics technician. Often, an organization offering the necessary training – leading to an A&P certificate, for example – is close by. In addition, they often work with larger avionics shops and repair stations to ensure the training and knowledge imparted is both appropriate and timely. There’s little value in training someone to install an automatic direction finder system when the underlying non-directional beacon infrastructure is all but gone.
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CERTIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS As noted above, formal education or training isn’t necessary for an entrylevel position as an avionics technician with the right shop, or one willing to hire someone without it. But, getting this training certainly will open doors. According to Potter, an “ideal candidate is someone who grew up fixing things, went to a technical school and doesn’t want to do the same thing every day.” For someone seeking an entry-level position, he looks for basic electronics knowledge, not a degree in electrical engineering. “A willingness to learn and good gray matter” are what’s important, along with computer knowledge and skills, facilitating a technician’s ability to diagnose and program installed equipment, he said. Presuming an FAA-certified repair station or an established shop employs a new-hire avionics technician, he or she won’t need an A&P certificate, at least initially. Instead, a technician would work under close supervision of an A&P or someone holding a repairman certificate, thereby gaining the experience necessary to meet the FAA’s requirements. This kind of “apprenticeship” can be a good deal for someone with limited resources. Meanwhile, technical schools like Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, Okla., can be a good “middle-ground” choice for someone unwilling to risk becoming an apprentice in an established shop and not wanting an academic education. Spartan’s avionics maintenance technology program provides students with a diploma as an avionics technician in as little as 15 months. After a non-certificated employee has been working at a repair station, he or she may be eligible for an FAA repairman certificate, allowing unsupervised performance of certain tasks or work

on specified equipment. To obtain one, the FAA requires an applicant to have documented 18 months of practical experience with airframes or powerplants, or 30 months of practical experience working on both. Once a repairman certificate is in-hand, the holder is allowed to work on aircraft and their components as specified. In all cases concerning FAA A&P or repairman certificates, an applicant must be at least 18 years old and able to read, write, speak and understand English. Note, however, a repairman certificate associated with a repair station doesn’t transfer from one to the other – you’ll need to re-apply if changing jobs from one shop to another. An A&P certificate isn’t dependent upon where one works. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER According to Anglisano, “Today’s avionics tech should be well rounded, although each brings his or her own expertise.” For example, Anglisano fills many roles after 20-odd years in the business. At the repair station where he works, he is something of a chief cook and bottlewasher: “I’m a software, troubleshoot, configuration, suite design, ground and flight test/certification repairman.” He quickly added, “Others may be better suited for sheet metal work or wiring engine monitor systems, depending on past experience and natural skill.” This highlights the changing role of the avionics technician in today’s environment. Finally, Anglisano noted, “All techs should be in physically good condition, as working in the tight quarters of aircraft – in odd positions – is strenuous. A solid foundation of airframe, engine and avionics knowledge are a modern day tech’s standard to work by, and so is understanding the FAA regulations that apply to your work and the aircraft you are working on.” All that can seem complicated and

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Avionics News August 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News August 2012

Avionics News August 2012 - Intro
Avionics News August 2012 - Cover1
Avionics News August 2012 - Cover2
Avionics News August 2012 - 1
Avionics News August 2012 - 2
Avionics News August 2012 - 3
Avionics News August 2012 - 4
Avionics News August 2012 - 5
Avionics News August 2012 - 6
Avionics News August 2012 - 7
Avionics News August 2012 - 8
Avionics News August 2012 - 9
Avionics News August 2012 - 10
Avionics News August 2012 - 11
Avionics News August 2012 - 12
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Avionics News August 2012 - 14
Avionics News August 2012 - 15
Avionics News August 2012 - 16
Avionics News August 2012 - 17
Avionics News August 2012 - 18
Avionics News August 2012 - 19
Avionics News August 2012 - 20
Avionics News August 2012 - 21
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Avionics News August 2012 - 23
Avionics News August 2012 - 24
Avionics News August 2012 - 25
Avionics News August 2012 - 26
Avionics News August 2012 - 27
Avionics News August 2012 - 28
Avionics News August 2012 - 29
Avionics News August 2012 - 30
Avionics News August 2012 - 31
Avionics News August 2012 - 32
Avionics News August 2012 - 33
Avionics News August 2012 - 34
Avionics News August 2012 - 35
Avionics News August 2012 - 36
Avionics News August 2012 - 37
Avionics News August 2012 - 38
Avionics News August 2012 - 39
Avionics News August 2012 - 40
Avionics News August 2012 - 41
Avionics News August 2012 - 42
Avionics News August 2012 - 43
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Avionics News August 2012 - Cover3
Avionics News August 2012 - Cover4
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