View Full Version : How are avionics technicians certificated?
Jim Stewart
March 16th 07, 12:34 AM
They don't typically have an A&P rating do they?
By what authority do they sign off repairs and
how do they get that authority?  I haven't been
able to find anything specific to avionics in
FAR/AIM.
**THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
March 16th 07, 05:27 AM
Whats the going pay for avionics techs? Do they specialize IE: 
communications vs flight controls etc? What is the general hourly rate 
for repairs?
Blanche wrote:
>Jim Stewart  > wrote:
>  
>
>>They don't typically have an A&P rating do they?
>>By what authority do they sign off repairs and
>>how do they get that authority?  I haven't been
>>able to find anything specific to avionics in
>>FAR/AIM.
>>    
>>
>
>The A&P is not needed, but most of them have it. Talking to
>the director of the local A&P school, the only part required is
>the A (airframe). Then there's another "school" exclusively for
>avionics. I've discussed this with the avionics shop that does
>most of the work (as well as the pitot/static & transpoder check)
>for me. Dick has the A&P because it was just easier to do the
>entire program. 
>
>Avionics is under the jurisdiction of the FCC (Fed. Communications)
>So in order to do any mods to the aircraft, the person needs
>a minimum of Airframe (FAA) and the Avionics (FCC).
>
>That's why you don't find anything about avionics in 14CFR (the FARs).
>
>Here's more info from another Technical college that describes
>the process: (I'm not advocating this school, it's just the first
>one that appeared in Google search)
>
>"The Avionics/Electronics Technology program offered at Pulaski 
>Technical College is designed to provide the student with the 
>knowledge and abilities to enter the aviation workforce as an 
>Avionics Installer/Technician. 
>
>Much of the Avionics program is incorporated into the Airframe Program.  
>As an Avionics student you would be required to take the Aviation 
>General Course, specific courses within the airframe curriculum 
>and Circuit Analysis I and II offered at the Main Campus.
>
>After completing the Avionics/Electronic Technology program 
>requirements the student is eligible to take the Federal 
>Communications Commission Examination (FCC) and receive their FCC License."
>
>Then, the avionics person goes to work for a certified repair
>station, blessed under the FCC and FAA.
>
>  
>
-- 
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©
"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason."
"Follow The Money"  ;-P
Jim Macklin
March 16th 07, 06:00 AM
To add or remove from the aircraft, the Airframe license is 
required or the avionics technician must be working under 
the supervision of an A rated mechanic or in an FAA Repair 
Station.
Most avionics techs do not hold an FAA certificate as a 
mechanic, however they are required to hold an FCC 
certificate in order to make any repairs to transmitters, 
such as comm radios, transponders and radar.
After getting the required FCC certificate and endorsements 
for the transponder and/or radar they usually will attend 
factory schools for specific hardware/manufacturers.
They make very good wages.  Shop rates are probably around 
$100 to $150 per hour and the tech gets only part of that, 
the shop gets the majority for lights, heat, a/c, insurance 
and tech manuals/training costs and a little profit.
see the catalog/info here to get an answer 
http://www.spartanaero.com/
"**THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**" > wrote in 
message ...
Whats the going pay for avionics techs? Do they specialize 
IE: communications vs flight controls etc? What is the 
general hourly rate for repairs?
Blanche wrote:
Jim Stewart  > wrote:
They don't typically have an A&P rating do they?
By what authority do they sign off repairs and
how do they get that authority?  I haven't been
able to find anything specific to avionics in
FAR/AIM.
The A&P is not needed, but most of them have it. Talking to
the director of the local A&P school, the only part required 
is
the A (airframe). Then there's another "school" exclusively 
for
avionics. I've discussed this with the avionics shop that 
does
most of the work (as well as the pitot/static & transpoder 
check)
for me. Dick has the A&P because it was just easier to do 
the
entire program.
Avionics is under the jurisdiction of the FCC (Fed. 
Communications)
So in order to do any mods to the aircraft, the person needs
a minimum of Airframe (FAA) and the Avionics (FCC).
That's why you don't find anything about avionics in 14CFR 
(the FARs).
Here's more info from another Technical college that 
describes
the process: (I'm not advocating this school, it's just the 
first
one that appeared in Google search)
"The Avionics/Electronics Technology program offered at 
Pulaski
Technical College is designed to provide the student with 
the
knowledge and abilities to enter the aviation workforce as 
an
Avionics Installer/Technician.
Much of the Avionics program is incorporated into the 
Airframe Program.
As an Avionics student you would be required to take the 
Aviation
General Course, specific courses within the airframe 
curriculum
and Circuit Analysis I and II offered at the Main Campus.
After completing the Avionics/Electronic Technology program
requirements the student is eligible to take the Federal
Communications Commission Examination (FCC) and receive 
their FCC License."
Then, the avionics person goes to work for a certified 
repair
station, blessed under the FCC and FAA.
-- 
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©
"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason."
"Follow The Money"  ;-P
Jim Stewart
March 16th 07, 08:10 PM
Jim Macklin wrote:
> To add or remove from the aircraft, the Airframe license is 
> required or the avionics technician must be working under 
> the supervision of an A rated mechanic or in an FAA Repair 
> Station.
> 
> Most avionics techs do not hold an FAA certificate as a 
> mechanic, however they are required to hold an FCC 
> certificate in order to make any repairs to transmitters, 
> such as comm radios, transponders and radar.
> 
> After getting the required FCC certificate and endorsements 
> for the transponder and/or radar they usually will attend 
> factory schools for specific hardware/manufacturers.
Ok, that makes sense.
Given that I hold a valid FCC General Radiotelephone
license, I presume I can do my own panel work providing..
1. Any structural or weight and balance issue is
    signed off by an A or A&P rated mechanic.
2. Any required calibration is done by a shop having
    the proper instruments and factory training.
Does that sound reasonable?
Peter Clark
March 17th 07, 01:14 AM
On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:34:25 -0800, Jim Stewart >
wrote:
>They don't typically have an A&P rating do they?
>By what authority do they sign off repairs and
>how do they get that authority?  I haven't been
>able to find anything specific to avionics in
>FAR/AIM.
The ones I know either work for a Repair Station and so the authorized
avionics inspector signs the work off under the station's licence, or
they have an Airframe rating.
Jim Macklin
March 17th 07, 01:27 AM
Sounds good to me.  Check FCC and FAA rules, part 43 and 65 
for FAA, as well as 91.  FCC you;will  need to look for the 
special endorsements.
Talk to your local A&P/AI and make arrangements for 
supervision and endorsements of work in progress and 
finished for return to service.
"Jim Stewart" > wrote in message 
.. .
| Jim Macklin wrote:
| > To add or remove from the aircraft, the Airframe license 
is
| > required or the avionics technician must be working 
under
| > the supervision of an A rated mechanic or in an FAA 
Repair
| > Station.
| >
| > Most avionics techs do not hold an FAA certificate as a
| > mechanic, however they are required to hold an FCC
| > certificate in order to make any repairs to 
transmitters,
| > such as comm radios, transponders and radar.
| >
| > After getting the required FCC certificate and 
endorsements
| > for the transponder and/or radar they usually will 
attend
| > factory schools for specific hardware/manufacturers.
|
| Ok, that makes sense.
|
| Given that I hold a valid FCC General Radiotelephone
| license, I presume I can do my own panel work providing..
|
| 1. Any structural or weight and balance issue is
|    signed off by an A or A&P rated mechanic.
|
| 2. Any required calibration is done by a shop having
|    the proper instruments and factory training.
|
| Does that sound reasonable?
Ron Natalie
March 18th 07, 12:09 AM
> Given that I hold a valid FCC General Radiotelephone
> license, I presume I can do my own panel work providing..
> 
> 1. Any structural or weight and balance issue is
>    signed off by an A or A&P rated mechanic.
> 
> 2. Any required calibration is done by a shop having
>    the proper instruments and factory training.
> 
Nope, you presume wrong.  The work must be done in an
FAA approved repair facility.   Your general phone only
qualifies you to work in such a facility.
On Mar 15, 7:34 pm, Jim Stewart > wrote:
> They don't typically have an A&P rating do they?
> By what authority do they sign off repairs and
> how do they get that authority?  I haven't been
> able to find anything specific to avionics in
> FAR/AIM.
I work in a CRS in NY. I think only one or 2 of the avionics techs at
the shop I work at have an A&P and I do know that it is not required.
The authority is under the CRS assigned to the facility. A shop can
have something like instrument or radio 1, 2, 3, and 4, or limited. Im
not sure of all the ratings a shop can have. I do instrument repair
and before I worked here I worked for a major avionics mfr for over 19
yrs as well as over 7 at my current job. As far as salaries go, I can
only hope other shops pay better than the one Im working at, which
IMHO are poverty level for the area we are in.
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