Kougarok

Actually I do pretty well with my side business. I can easily support my family if my pilot job goes away.

JohnBurke

Likewise. I've never let mine lapse and use it regularly, and won't have any trouble securing work. I've been furloughed and immediately had work turning wrenches, with a steady stream of other furloughees coming by the shop looking or work and unable to find it.

I've also had a number of flying positions thanks to holding that certificate, so it's far from wasted. In fact, I've been able to double my pilot salary by holding both certifications, and I've been able do seasonal jobs that let me fly part of the year and stay indoors and work on aircraft in the winter...and be home every night. Hard to beat that.

kevbo

I know, there is enough money in it if you can charge the customer directly and do all the work yourself. Everyone who cant make that leap is stuck at minimum wage. The going shop rates aren't enough to support living wages for everyone.

navigator

Go to the airlines. Most are hiring Avionics Electronics Techs (AET's). Many will have you take an electronics specific test during the interview process. If you ace that, have an FCC, you may be offered an AET position. Otherwise take an AP position then transfer once in the door.

kevbo

Why hasn't the FAA made avionics its own certificate? The work is far more cerebral and abstract than anything an A&P does.

navigator

Not sure about that. The FCC (general radiotelephone) license really meets the need for a distinct license and classification.

easapart66

Hi Gays, I've the same case for me since more than 9 years. you've juste see how to convert you license FAA to EASA part 66 B1 from this webesite https://easapart66.academy

oldsmobubble

I know Western Global Airlines needs avionics techs at their hangar in Shreveport, MD-11's and 747's

JohnBurke

The current standard, used at a minimum for obtaining the FAA repairman certificate, is the Aircraft Electronic Technician certification, through the Aircraft Electronics Association. The certification is known as the NCAAT AET (national center for aerospace and transportation technologies, aircraft electronics technician) exam. Taking the NCAAT AET and obtaining at least one of four endorsements (ANS--automatic navigation systems; OCS--onboard communications and safety systems; DNS--dependent navigation systems; RCS--radio communication systems) can provide test results, and an endorsement that is used along with an application for a repairman certification, to obtain FAA repairman certification. The FAA recognized the NCAAT AET and associated endorsement(s) as qualifying for the repairman certification. This bypasses the 18 month experience requirement of 14 CFR 61.101(a)(5)(i), with 61.101(a)(5)(2).

https://aea.net/aet/pdf/FAA%20letter...2018%20(1).pdf

The FAA still does not have a dedicated avionics technician certification; this is had through repairman, or mechanic with airframe rating certification. No maintenance can be performed unless a mechanic has training and experience in a particular operation, and an airframe rating allows a very wide range of privileges, on all categories and classes of aircraft. Short of mechanic certification with an airframe rating, one can either use a repairman certificate, or work under a repair station certificate. In the case of the latter, one does not need to hold repairman or mechanic certification, as the certification is held by the repair station.

Regardless of certification, adequate training and experience is necessary to be of value to an employer, and there are various programs around the country which offer training with an avionics specialization.

EASA certification is not necessary unless one intends to work on aircraft registered in EASA states or work in EASA programs or carriers.

The various testing and certification will serve to make one more marketable to various employers, repair stations, etc.