Try these quick projects from Khan Academy that you can do at home. Build a simple motor, a ping pong ball launcher, or something else from the list!

Develop mechanics knowledge with hands-on projects!

Learn about one of the skills you'll need for anything related to electronics: soldering! This short comic book takes you through the basics.

Read a comic book about soldering.

An aviation mechanic maintains the overall operation of an aircraft. Learn about the different responsibilities and skills needed to do this job. Does this look like something you would be interested in?

Learn about a day in the life of an aviation mechanic.

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Avionics Technicians

Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Miscellaneous Electrical and Electronic Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Electrical and Electronic Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.

Keep records of maintenance and repair work.

Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.

Install electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems in aircraft, using hand tools, power tools, or soldering irons.

Set up and operate ground support and test equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems.

Assemble components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes, using hand tools or soldering irons.

Lay out installation of aircraft assemblies and systems, following documentation such as blueprints, manuals, and wiring diagrams.

Connect components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refueling systems, using hand tools and soldering irons.

Interpret flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems.

Coordinate work with that of engineers, technicians, and other aircraft maintenance personnel.

SAP software

Workday software

Microsoft PowerPoint

Linux

UNIX

Autodesk AutoCAD

Dassault Systemes CATIA

Oracle Java

Avionics system testing software

Computer diagnostic software

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Technical Data Management System TDMS

Software development tools

Allen wrenches

Hex wrenches

Phillips head screwdrivers

Straight screwdrivers

Center punches

Pin punches

Electrical current meters

Voltmeters

Audio power meters

Microwave power meters

Wire strippers

Programmable function generators

Digital multimeters

Radio frequency RF wattmeters

Vernier calipers

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Every day

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

Once a week or more but not every day

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Extremely important

Very important

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Continually or almost continually

More than half the time

Less than half the time

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

Very important results

Important results

Moderate results

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

More than 40 hours

40 hours

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

Never

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Constant contact with others

Contact with others most of the time

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Avionics Technicians

Overview

Career

What Avionics Technicians Do

Other Job Titles Avionics Technicians May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Avionics Technicians

Overview

Career

What Avionics Technicians Do

Other Job Titles Avionics Technicians May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Avionics Technicians

Majors Related to Career

Related Leaders