Any Avionics Techs??

Blk_Dynamite

Blk_Dynamite

New Member
Hello all,
I'm a few months away from completing my A&P certificates and now i find myself at a crossroads. My school also offers a avionics program that will get you a FCC licences that i'm thinking about taking. My question is is the FCC licence what i need? I've heard about a few other certifying agencies. To you guys working in the industry, what certification do you have? What do i need? And what should i pursue?
 
Blk_Dynamite,

Not sure what your career goals are but here's my 2 cents:

1) I've been an A&P / Avionics tech for 14 years - 11 of which have been with a major airline. Majority of my career I've worked line maintenance. That said I've had absolutely ZERO use for an FCC license. Now if I worked inside a avionics shop. (ex: repairing / testing radios) that might be a different story. Again what are your goals?

2) I would encourage you to get avionics / electronics training. The training / experience is valuable. However, don't spend a lot of money doing it. You can go through a electronics program at a community college and pick up a couple of avionics books and be good to go.

3) An avionics program doesn't really prepare you for the FCC test. Most of the questions are marine and basic electronic questions.

4) Probably most important. ANYONE can take the FCC test! Google and order a study guide. There are also websites that offer sample tests. You can schedule and take the test anytime at many of the CAT / Laser Grade places that offer the FAA written test.

In short I don't discourage avionics training...just don't believe all the garbage the schools try to sell ya! I.M.H.O. if I had a free week I'd get a study guide or subscribe to one of those sample test websites. Take the test just to get the ticket. Just something to add to the resume, but in most cases has very little to no use.

Best of luck,

Fadec
 
I've never been real clear on this, what do you need to actually be an avionics tech in an avionics shop setting?

The FCC license really is just for transmitting for test purposes, right?
 
So far as I've been able to gather, you just need to impress the company enough that they'll hire you and let you work under their repair station cert.
 
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