Avionics News August 2012 - 39

instrument panel increasingly is connected to everything else. all types will ready it for the next flight. In fact, those same orgaProgramming and configuring the software controlling tonizations predicting pilot shortages also say similar numbers of day’s modern avionics can be another area of specialization, skilled and trained technicians will be needed. Another thought? along with debugging those products. Merely knowing which The aviation technicians working on that aircraft likely will use end of a soldering iron is hot is a good start for the aspiring a small computer as their main tool, right beside a No. 2 Phillips avionics technician, but the job has evolved in recent years screwdriver. That’s especially true of avionics technicians. to require much more knowledge of current technologies and But, what does it take for someone to become an avionics how they (sometimes don’t) work and play well together. technician? How has the job changed during the years, and Does one need to be a pilot to enjoy success as an avionics what will it look like in 20 years? What kind of background technician? No, but being a pilot or at least coming in the door lends itself to the role? What training is best, and where can with some flight training is “pretty it be obtained? What should that training lead to, and what certifications No one knows what the future holds, smart,” according to Larry Anglisano, a repairman at EXXEL Avionics are necessary? To find out, Avionespecially when combining aircraft of Hartford, Conn. “A good avionics ics News spoke with avionics shops, technician needs to be a pilot so he current technicians and training orand aviation with innovations in or she can understand the cockpit and ganizations. Here’s what we found. electronics. But, it’s a safe bet to flight environments,” he said. Customers find it valuable for a techniBACKGROUND say tomorrow’s successful avionics cian to know some of the things that Recent articles in this magazine tech will have more in common with a pilot or crew must contend, plus have included in-depth interviews where things are located and how with avionics industry leaders, drawn a software engineer or networking they should work. In the same breath, mostly from the association’s board technician than ever. Anglisano acknowledged becoming of directors. With rare exception, a pilot isn’t for everyone. But, “some each of those individuals told Avionflight training” can be important, he maintained. Anglisano is ics News they became involved in the avionics field as a a pilot, but he also has earned bachelor’s degrees in aviation way of combining their interests in electronics, tinkering and management and flight technology. aviation. For many, it was a natural response to the question, “What will you do when you grow up?” So, one answer to TRAINING the question of what sort of background lends itself to beSo, what kind of formal education, if any, our mythical avioncoming an avionics technician involves familiarity with and ics technician of the future should have? The quick answer, of understanding basic electronics. An interest in aviation, of course, is neither an academic or vocational education is necescourse, won’t hurt a thing. sary for long-term success. Natural aptitude for the profession’s There was a time, not too long ago, when an avionics techbasics – electronics and aircraft, in this case – plus a willingness nician was expected to successfully troubleshoot and diagnose and ability to learn the job, can be more important than formal a piece of avionics equipment, remove it from the aircraft and training. That’s true in any career. But, the elusive element of take it to the bench and repair it at the component level. Afluck can be more difficult to mine for those hoping to learn the terward, he would reinstall it, test and verify its operation and profession through on-the-job training – and find the right situcomplete the necessary paperwork returning the aircraft to ation at the right time – without at least some formal training. service. While this skill and expertise remains valuable, the Thankfully, the aspiring avionics tech doesn’t have to pay for work has changed throughout the years, right along with the it. One way to obtain free training is to join the military, which equipment. has been and likely will continue to be something of a farm Today, instead of being able to isolate and replace a bad team for aspiring techs. Not all farm teams are perfect, however. component on a circuit board, do sheet metal work, build harTracey Potter, president of Hagerstown (Md.) Aircraft Services nesses, use an oscilloscope or any combination of other speInc., told Avionics News a lot of his company’s applicants come cialized tools; many shops look for their employees to conin the door with military training. At the same time, he warned, centrate in a few select areas. Some technicians, for example, military training alone can be too specialized. One result is a might focus on interfacing autopilots to other systems while technician who “can’t adapt or improvise” and is accustomed worrying about servos and cable tensions. Others may only to using specialized tools normally unavailable in the average do the sheet metal work (installing antennas and equipment civilian shop, he suggested. racks) and route cable or wiring throughout an airframe. Building harnesses on the bench is another routine task requiring specialization, especially as everything in a modern Continued on following page
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Avionics News August 2012

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