Avionics technicians repair, test, adjust and maintain aircraft avionics systems and equipment. They work on radar, cockpit and light data recorders, navigation, communications, lighting and anti-skid systems, as well as on the instruments in the cockpit that measure various aspects of the airplane's performance.
Ten or fifteen years ago, airplanes were far less complex. Today, given the vast numbers of airplanes in the air at any given time, pilots depend on sophisticated flight control systems. Your job will be to make sure these systems are working properly - the lives of the passengers and crew depend on it!
As an avionics technician you may find yourself working on the line or in a repair shop. On the line, you test and replace components that are being used in aircraft, though you do very little work on the components themselves. This work requires that you develop a good understanding of the aircraft systems. Servicing the components is done in the repair shop of the airlines or the original manufacturers. Working in a repair shop, you may specialize in certain types of components or equipment. Because most airplanes fly during the day, most of the work is done at night. You are usually paid an hourly wage, although some senior positions are salaried.
This job will appeal to you if you're interested in aviation and if you like a challenge. Fixing the equipment may not be difficult. In fact, it may take no more than pulling out one box and replacing it with another. The real challenge lies in identifying the problem - no easy task when you're dealing with today's complex avionics systems. And it can get stressful when you have a whole plane load of people waiting on you to get the job done.
You have to ask yourself a lot of questions and double-check everything. To do the work, you have to be honest. If you make a mistake or don know how to do something, admit it. After all, the most important concern is the safety of the aircraft and the people aboard it.
The work is also physically demanding. When you inspect an airplane, you have to explore every part of the aircraft - and that often means crawling through tight, awkward spaces. You also need good manual skills.
Graduates from general electronics technician programs in community colleges or those with general electronics experience will occasionally be hired to overhaul components in a manufacturers service division.