Occupation Details
Avionics Technicians
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Quick Navigation
Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$60,160.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$74,730.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$93,230.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
29,130
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
33,220
+409 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
3,557
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adjustable wrenches
- Alignment tools
- Allen wrenches
- Audio power meters
- Ball peen hammers
- Center punches
- Circuit testers
- Cold chisels
- Combination wrenches
- Component test sets
- Crescent wrenches
- Data bus readers
- Desktop computers
- Diagonal cutting pliers
- Digital multimeters
- Digital oscilloscopes
- Duck bill pliers
- Electrical current meters
- End cut pliers
- Frequency counters
- Grounding equipment
- Hacksaws
- Hex wrenches
- Inspection mirrors
- Laboratory binocular microscopes
- Ladders
- Laptop computers
- Longnose pliers
- Magnifiers
- Megohmmeters
Technology
- Apache HTTP Server
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Avionics system testing software
- C++
- Computer diagnostic software
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Linux
- Maintenance record software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Java
- SAP business and customer relations management software
- Software development tools
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- analyze test data
- repair or adjust measuring or control devices
- distinguish colors
- understand detailed electronic design specifications
- understand technical information for electronic repair work
- understand service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- operate industrial or nondestructive testing equipment
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
- solder electrical or electronic connections or components
- use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
- use hand or power tools
- use oscilloscopes in electronics repair
- use precision tools in electronics repair
- use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
- use soldering equipment
- conduct performance testing
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- calibrate or adjust electronic equipment or instruments to specification
- install electronic power, communication, control, or security equipment or systems
- install or replace meters, regulators, or related measuring or control devices
- install/connect electrical equipment to power circuit
- replace electronic components
- install electronic equipment, components, or systems
- repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
- repair electronic components, equipment, or systems
- conduct sequential tests to locate electronic malfunction
- test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
- analyze operation of malfunctioning electrical or electronic equipment
- test electronic or electrical circuit connections
- set up electronic system test equipment
- install electrical fixtures or components
- construct or fabricate electrical parts or fixtures
- read blueprints
- read schematics
- read tape measure
- read technical drawings
- use aviation electronics
- use knowledge of metric system
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
- 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.
- Connect components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refueling systems, using hand tools and soldering irons.
- Lay out installation of aircraft assemblies and systems, following documentation such as blueprints, manuals, and wiring diagrams.
- Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.
- Coordinate work with that of engineers, technicians, and other aircraft maintenance personnel.
- Fabricate parts and test aids as required.
- Assemble prototypes or models of circuits, instruments, and systems for use in testing.
- Operate computer-aided drafting and design applications to design avionics system modifications.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and service technicians
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreEngineering Design Challenges
The Engineering Design Challenges Program connects students in their classrooms with the challenges faced by NASA engineers as they design the next generation of space vehicles, habitats and technology. Middle and High School students work on design challenges with their teachers. The Challenges Themes include Heat and Conduction, Newton's Law,Electromagnetism,Forces and Motion, and Properties and changes of properties in matter. Each Challenge includes Background Information, day-by-day activities, required materials lists, Resources and Masters of handouts.
Learn MoreOnondaga College for Kids
Onondaga's College for Kids is one of Syracuse's most popular summer programs for students 8 to 14 years of age. A kaleidoscope of academic and recreational courses are offered, including how space transportation works, how to mix math with food, learn about the environment in the world around you and design, construct, and test a vehicle that is powered by a single mousetrap.
Learn MoreSUNY New Paltz Summer Camp: Mad Science NASA
Mad Science has sparked imaginative learning with their unique brand of engaging and educational live programs and activities. NASA - Learn how different kinds of flying machines work as you explore the principles that we use to move ourselves through the air. Launch several kinds of rockets and use tools for celestial navigation to track their flight path.
Learn MoreSummer at RPI: The Magical World of Flight
Explore the world of flight and will learn about how objects fly using model airplanes. In addition to designing and building a model airplane, participants will observe wind tunnel and flight tests.
Learn MoreU.S. Space & Rocket Center Aviation Challenge Mach I
Aviation Challenge Mach I is non-stop aviation excitement! Master a high-performance jet fighter and learn the basics of flight dynamics, wilderness survival and teamwork. Experience the same training all fighter and test pilots go through.
Learn MoreU.S. Space & Rocket Center Aviation Challenge Mach II
It takes a special kind of person to fly high performance jets. Are you cool under pressure, focused, intelligent and confident in your abilities? If so, you are the perfect candidate for the Aviation Challenge Mach II program for 12 to 14 year olds!
Learn MoreU.S. Space & Rocket Center Aviation Challenge Mach III
Aviation Challenge Mach III is for those 15-18 year olds who want to take their interest in aviation to another level. This program teaches you land and water survival, the principals of flight, and will allow you to engage in flight simulations & competition!
Learn MoreUltra-Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) Kid's Page
The Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program (UEET) is a NASA program whose members are working to develop and create new propulsion technologies which can be turned over to US companies. Working together with the American companies UEET hopes to enable a new generation of cleaner, high-performance aircraft. UEET Kid's Page includes colorful Engine Technology background information pages for students, games and activities and complete lesson plans.
Learn More