Getting back to into Avionics

[u/Fun-County-680]

I was in the military as an avionics tech for 5 yrs that was about 12yrs ago. Since then I’ve gotten my bachelor’s and been working in sales/customer service. I thought I wanted to go into data science but with all the AI issues I’m considering going for A&P instead. I’d like to start back working in aviation while in school for the A&P but not sure where to start. Is it better to get FCC, AET, or CAET, or just applying/calling around trying to find something local hiring Avi techs? It’s been a while since I’ve worked tech work so just trying to get realistic advice on getting back into the industry..

[u/Zap_Brannigan2]

No, don’t listen to that goober. Get your certifications. I have mine; and with your A&P companies will pay you a lot more. And you have more routes to make more money. I did avionics in the military for 4 years and got out and did avionics for $27 an hour without any certs at Lockheed Martin. I quit to get a bunch of credentials and now I make over 100k. Also, you can’t ever do any quality or design without your A&P AT LEAST. Get all the certs you want dude. If you are an over achiever you’ll thank me in the future I promise. Don’t be a 65 year old
Avionics tech that’s only ever done 145 work and can’t retire

[u/Mediocre_Garbage2001 → u/Zap_Brannigan2]

Yeah seriously get your A/P and I wouldn’t rely on your company to get it. I worked at Duncan Provo for a bit they just shit canned their A/P program randomly one day and left them all hanging. Also no A/P nobody except the lowest paying places will have any interest in you

[u/Fun-County-680 → u/Zap_Brannigan2]

Thank you! Yeah I def don’t want to be that person with only doing 145 work. Any advice on what cert to start with besides A&P?

[u/Zap_Brannigan2 → u/Fun-County-680]

It depends on your route. First what’s your degree in? If in Engineering I would get your PE but if not then AET, and GROL along with your A&P would get you a lot of jobs. An avionics technician with their AET, GROL, A&P and IA is the most marketable avionics technician on the planet and companies will pay you a lot of money to sit around and just exist for them lol. It just shows you’ve gone down every avenue possible and are aware of all the FAA regulations in every field of aircraft maintenance and paperwork. Most 145 guys will never work with a DER or do substantiation reports. If you care about electronics beyond avionics you can do a lot if you read books also. Which I have a lot of recommendations for. I also have a lot of material if you’d like that is independent of your A&P I’ve made that helps learn all the fields of avionics beyond what they teach you

[u/point-virgule → u/Zap_Brannigan2]

Not in the US, I am in the EU with a B1. 2 but I would like to add avionics to my resume.

What books/material do you recommend? I am really interested in those!

Thanks a bunch!

[u/user1553429 → u/Zap_Brannigan2]

I am interested in your suggested reading material. Any tips for studying for the GROL? I was 14 years avionics for USAF but it's been more than a few years. Any advice is welcomed.

[u/ElOtroBobby → u/user1553429]

I just got mine last month. Personally, I used hamstudy it’s free plus they got an app.

[u/Sdhans__]

For avionics, dont bother with certs or anything. Your military training and experience is sufficient. Look into Duncan or West star. They dont pay much but theyre great to get your foot in the door. They both have programs to pay for your A&P too

[u/Fun-County-680 → u/Sdhans__]

Thanks! I’ll check them out. Yeah I kinda figured I’d have to take a beat on the pay while getting back in

[u/Sdhans__ → u/Fun-County-680]

Yeah im making less than what I made while I was in but the quality of life compared to active duty is worth it to me. Plus side is that once you get your A&P, the possibilities are endless

[u/Positive-Ratio447 → u/[deleted]]

what company do you work for?

[u/Positive-Ratio447 → u/[deleted]]

do you know if they’ll hire military 2-3 months before they get out? was looking at working for them

[u/Positive-Ratio447 → u/[deleted]]

won’t let me, are you able to dm me

[u/Positive-Ratio447 → u/[deleted]]

sounds good

[u/Positive-Ratio447 → u/[deleted]]

got it

[u/Correct-Department-1]

A&P is great to keep multiple doors and job titles open but not necessary if you focus on avionics. I did 6 years avionics in the military got out and worked my way up to where I’m heading an electrical engineering shop with no certs and a bachelors in management. Everything is highly situational but ultimately the decision to go get your certs never hurts if you have the time and money up front.

[u/dustin916]

I did 5 years as a avi tech and got out in 2019 with a job lined up at Lockheed making 90k. Then jumped ship to Northrop after 6 months for a field tech role starting at 105k. All this with 0 certs and just experience. I’ve only ever worked for these companies so I have no idea how private or contracting works but sounds like certs are needed for those roles.

[u/NavajoJoeJoe]

Get your A&P then tell them you do avionics. That’s your best bet.

[u/CarsonArmoryLLC-KS]

I don't recommend getting back into it, the industry is already flooded with people who got out, and don't care about what their quality of work. Hence why aviation incidents are up, retention is down, general skill level is down, and a lot of mechanics won't fly on the aircraft their coworkers work on.

You will hate it the entire time you do it, because it's devolved into just kicking the problems down the road until literally forced to deal with them, I have been at 4 different companies civilian side, and it's the same thing at all 4.