Expert: David A. NewMyer - 11/7/2009

Question
Hello Mr. NewMyer, my name is Bill and I'm a Senior in High School. I'm looking at PIA to get my Associate Degree for Avionics. I've never been the most Mechanical but I've always been intrigued by how things work Electronically. One thing I've realized is that there are a lot less Avionic Techs than Mechanics. Even guys who are training at the school. Is that because there's a small demand for people certified in Avionics? Are there jobs out there for people certified in Avioics? Is the Salary financially Stable. And the one thing I'm most concerned about is weather or not there will still be a Job Market decades down the line. I know there's a great Market out there for Mechanics. I haven't been able to get to much information on Avionics though and I'd really appreciate it if you could help me. Thanks.

Answer
Hi, Bill:

Nice to hear from you; I will try to assist!

The Avionics (or aviation electronics) field is an excellent field, is growing and is financially rewarding.  Generally, it is recommended that you get BOTH the Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics Certificate AND get Avionics training including an FCC license.  The reason to get both is that most avionics installations into aircraft will require some sort of interface with the airframe and some will require some interface with the power plants (or engines).  By having the certification to do both A and P work and avionics work, you will be more marketable to the aviation industry. And, an employer will not just see you as a "spark chaser" (or an avionics specialist) but an avionics person who also knows how aircraft and their engines work.

With regard to finding more out about avionics, you might try the following:

1.  THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE is a publication of the University Aviation Association and can be ordered from them via their website at www.uaa.aero or by calling them at 334-844-2434---the cost is around $19.95.  It will list the aviation degree programs offered by universities and colleges around the nation, including avionics.

2.  One such avionics program is that offered by Southern Illinois University Carbondale (which is my employer).  The avionics program here is part of the B. S. in Aviation Technologies and Aviation Electronics is a Specialization within that degree.  So, students will take the A and P coursework in their first 2.5 years and then specialize in Aviation Electronis (or one of the other specializations that we offer) in their last 1.5 years before receving their B. S. degree.  For more information on this degree, go to www.avtech.siu.edu

3.  In terms of avionics careers, you will want to check out the website of the Aircraft Electronics Association at http://www.aea.net for more information on avionics careers, aviation electronics scholarships and the like.  There is some good information on this site, which indicates that the AEA represents more than 1300 companies that do avionics work....

I hope that this information is of assistance to you.  If you need more or have another question, please follow up with me here at AllExperts.com

Thanks,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu