Expert: D. Norkus - 5/26/2003

Question
Hello. I hope you can help. My husband is soon to finish out his term in the Army, where he has been working in the communications field. He has voiced an interest in working on the radio communications systems on airplanes, but doesn't know the first place to look into it as a career path. We don't even know if the radio techs are employed through the airlines themselves, or through the individual airports. Any advice is wecome, and thank you for your time!

A.B.

Answer
"...he has been working in the communications field. He has voiced an interest in working on the radio communications systems on airplanes."

There are all kinds of miitary jobs that allow people to do work for the gov't that require special certification in the civilian sector. I am not sure exactly what your husband is qualified to do. Anyone who works at any FAA approved repair station at general aviation type of airports would be employed by a repair shop or fixed based operator. At the larger fields with airline traffic, repairs to the aircraft are done by the airlines own "A&P" (airframe & powerplant) mechanics unless the city is not a maintenance bas. If not, work is then contracted out to a 'contract maintenace' company. He would need to have his A&P certification for this type of work. As far as work in the airlines inhouse avionics shop (if they have one) I don't know. Many instruments are sent out to their manufacturer (like Honeywell or Rockwell Collins- check them out) for repairs or service.

Here is the FAA page about becoming an A&P:
http://www1.faa.gov/AVR/afs/mechanics.htm

If he is qualified to repair avionics, perhaps that might be a way around the A&P license at some companies, but generally airlines hire only A&Ps to do their Electronic/Avionics and aircraft systems repair work.

If it's an airline job he's after, then he would have to go to the sites of the airlines he is interested in working for and find out what kinds of aircraft maintenance jobs are available and what the requirements are to apply and/or if an A&P is required. Unfortunately, right now is the worst possible time to be looking for a job in the airline industry. Thousands have been laid off and many have had their hours cut back. About the only companies hiring these days are Southwest, Jet Blue & Alaska (and maybe a few regionals).

I have a friend that works as a mechanic for Southwest in Phoenix. Perhaps he could send some advice from his perspective: Kevin Olson  kolson15@cox.net

He might also check into Aeronautical Radio, inc. They are a leading company in the field of transportation communication:  www.arinc.com

Good Luck!
Dottie