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Receive regular updates for important avionics engineer information

Watch for updates on the latest FAA findings as well as news about developments in fluids and materials management in avionics production. Through websites that send you regular industry newsletters, you can keep up with the software that runs the control panels as well as the companies that are emerging to service all of the small planes in the air with the latest aviation electronics.

I recommend: Stay on top of the latest news and trends in aeronautics, including a special Avionics update, from AeroNews. Get headlines even when you're mobile by following the threads at the AeroNews Twitter page. Get a roundup of industry news from the site run by DSP-FPGA.

Search for aviation avionics sources that provide detailed industry information

Read avionics publications that provide information about current events in the industry as well as industry forecasts in both domestic and global markets. Watch for the articles that feature industry analysis and safety upgrades as well as news about repair stations, the latest testing technology and new training facilities.

I recommend: Aircraft Maintenance Technology and Military & Aerospace Electronics provide readers information and news about the latest on avionics and airplane maintenance and engineering.

Participate in trade groups for airplane electronics that give members additional insight

By joining other avionic professionals, you can build relationships that help you stay ahead of the news. Meet other manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument manufacturers and major parts distributors. An avionics trade group with help you keep up with new government regulations and standards of quality production.

I recommend: Register for a subscription to Avionics News, the monthly publication of the Aircraft Electronics Association. Stay on top of facts and statistics as they occur through the resources of the National Business Aviation Association. Nearly all of the main avionics firms are members of this group.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Watch peripheral news items that will affect the aircraft avionics industry, such as news about new repair programs and diagnostic technology.

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Stay local when looking at avionics shops

Having an avionics engineer on the runway is a real asset to your company, so find someone local if at all possible. That way, if a problem pops up during routine maintenance, you can address the problem quickly and get the plane up in the air again as soon as possible. If you have to send the plane out for repairs, your customer could end up waiting days or weeks, which can end up costing both of you a lot of money.

I recommend: Find a local avionics shop. Depending on where you're located, you may have quite a few shops to choose from. You can select from avionics maintenance and repair companies such as East Cincinnati Aviation, Accuracy Avionics or Becker Avionics, Inc., to name a few.

Find a company that stands behind its avionics systems and workmanship

Location isn't the only concern when picking out an avionics repair shop, however. You need to find a dependable company that will take care of your client referrals and treat them the way they deserve to be treated. Items like warranties and turnaround times are critical when it comes to picking the right company to work with.

I recommend: Look into each shop's warranty policies. If they use Honeywell Avionics products, for example, they should offer their customers the Honeywell Avionics Protection Plan to help protect their investment. Like Sarasota Avionics, they may also have certain price and installation warranty policies in place that protect the customer in case of a problem down the road.

Use the top quality avionics products

Your customers expect certain name brands, so it's essential that you find an avionics shop that's not only certified to work on the different products, but can sell them to clients as well.

I recommend: Find an avionics maintenance provider that has plenty of experience working on the major brand names. Their technicians should be comfortable working with the product lines of Garmin and Bose, among others.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's important to look at hourly rates when choosing an avionics shop to work with you. You can charge a bit over their rate for facilitating the repairs, but you don't want to price yourself out of the market, either.

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Get the degree you need for success in avionics from a recommended college

Colleges that offer degrees in avionics are a huge asset on the career path of someone seeking aircraft avionics employment. Degrees range from 18 months to four years, depending on the level of job desired. Colleges can also help with obtaining necessary licenses and apprentice and job placement assistance. Technicians who obtain further training can go on to become an avionics engineer or aircraft inspector.

I recommend: The Federal Aviation Administration lists certified schools from which to seek avionics education as well as current guides and scholarship information. Ed-Reference provides a listing of all colleges offering aviation training. The list is separated by state.

Get to know avionic associations to keep up on current information

Technology is ever-changing. The need to keep up with growth and the ever-present demand for better products requires that even a schooled worker stays knowledgeable with market changes. Industry magazines and associations are a great resource for those who need to stay informed on the latest technology.

I recommend: Avionics Communications offers an entire library of books, videos and other training materials for purchase. The Aircraft Electronics Association keeps those interested up-to-date with conferences, trainings and even job placement.

Become licensed to further your aerospace avionics career

Look into other certifications that might be needed to work in the industry. Anyone operating, maintaining or repairing aircraft communications systems, is required to obtain a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit. Other licenses, like the Airframe and Powerplant Technology Certificate, are encouraged for further advancement in the field.

I recommend: A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit can easily be applied for with the Federal Communications Commission. Education Portal provides beneficial information on how and where to get the Airframe and Powerplant Technology Certificate.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some major aerospace avionics employers have their own schools or training centers. These are usually product specific so additional schooling is still recommended.

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Avionics

The term avionics means aviation electronics. Avionics include electrical systems, such as radios and lights, as well as navigation systems like a GPS or radar.

I recommend: SR Technics describes avionics and what purpose they serve in an airplane.

Global positioning system

A global positioning system, or GPS, allows a pilot to see where he is, plot a course from one place to another, and monitor other traffic.

I recommend: Garmin, a GPS manufacturer, explains what a global positioning system will and will not do.

A & P mechanic

An A & P, or an airframe and powerplant mechanic, repairs avionics as well as other parts of the airplane. Because avionics can include handheld radios that a pilot may bring onboard, some avionics may go to a repair shop instead of going to your maintenance hangar when they need repair. If an avionic component is under warranty you may need to return it to the manufacturer instead of having a local A & P mechanic work on it.

I recommend: The United States Department of Labor provides a full job description for an A & P mechanic.

Automatic flight control system

An automatic flight control system is part of a plane's autopilot system. This avionics component relies on other components as well to allow a pilot to fly a plane on autopilot. It is not autopilot; rather, it is one part of the autopilot.

I recommend: The Aviation Glossary explains an automatic flight control system and its components. Scroll down the page to see the glossary entry.

VOR

VOR, or very high frequency omnidirectional range, is a radio aid to navigation that allows a pilot to navigate when he cannot rely on visual landmarks alone.

I recommend: FlightSimBooks.com explains VOR and how it works.

Glass cockpit

The phrase 'glass cockpit' refers to a cockpit where the pilot looks at his instruments on a computer screen rather than referencing steam gauges.

I recommend: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration explains what a glass cockpit is and how it came about.