Aviation comes in all shapes and sizes, from crop dusters and private planes, to small corporate jets, to commercial airliners. Arkansas has a little bit of everything when it comes to this field, as it is home to aircraft manufacturing companies, airports and fixedbase operations. It’s a growing field in need of talented, skilled employees.
WHAT DO AVIATION TECHNICIANS DO? Aviation technicians perform a wide variety of duties on private and commercial aircraft. The actual job duties vary, depending on which area of the industry one chooses. Airframe • Perform inspections of aircraft frames, mechanical components and electrical systems to locate wear, defects and other problems. • Test aircraft functions using diagnostic equipment to ensure proper performance. • Repair or replace components using hand or power tools. • Technicians may specialize in a certain category of aircraft, such as passenger jetliners, propeller-driven airplanes or helicopters. • Technicians may also focus on different systems such as engines (also known as the “powerplant”) or hydraulics. Avionics • Specialize in aircraft electronics, which includes a range of job types. • Responsible for all the electronics onboard an aircraft, as well as the wiring that connects components to the electrical system. • Run cables, mount antennas and connect instruments for navigation and engine monitoring. • Test onboard equipment to ensure it’s working properly. WHERE DO AVIONIC TECHS WORK? Some specific types of businesses that employ aircraft technicians include: Fixed-Base Operations At most airports, private companies called FixedBase Operations (FBO) provide a number of services to smaller aircraft such as corporate jets and private planes. Aviation technicians provide maintenance services for aircraft using the FBO.
Airlines Commercial airlines have a lot of planes they need to keep operational if they are going to stay on schedule and deliver their passengers safely. Aircraft and avionics technicians are a key element of their success. Shipping companies Not all airplanes deliver people; some deliver millions of pieces of freight and consumer mail or packages every day. Retailers rely on companies like FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service to deliver orders to their customers, and these shipping companies rely on their planes to make that happen. Flying Services Flight schools, crop-dusting operations and air charter companies all need technicians to keep their machines in top shape and operating safely. WHAT’S THE JOB OUTLOOK? Arkansas had 670 aircraft mechanics and service technicians in 2018 and that number is expected to grow 9% by 2028. There were 50 avionics technicians in the state in 2018 and that number is expected to remain flat by 2028.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL? • Equipment Maintenance and Repairs • Troubleshooting/Quality Control Analysis • Critical Thinking • Complex Problem Solving HOW DO I LEARN THE CRAFT? Aviation technicians typically have some training after high school, taken at a community college or specialized aviation technical school. Be sure to select a program that is FAA approved. At the completion of this training, technicians take an exam administered by the FAA to obtain certification in their chosen field. Technicians can also expect to take continuing education classes or attend seminars or training sessions to stay current on new parts, regulations, technology and flight systems. Once a technician receives an associate degree, they can opt to complete a four-year degree, which opens up a number of other job opportunities and greater earning power.
HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE? Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians • Lower range wages (bottom 10 percent) — $31,780 annually/$15.28 per hour • Middle range wages (median) — $53,430 annually/$25.69 per hour • Higher range wages (top 10 percent) — $69,030 annually/$33.19 per hour Avionics Technicians • Lower range wages (bottom 10 percent) — $41,660 annually/$20.03 per hour • Middle range wages (median) — $67,840 annually/$32.61 per hour • Higher range wages (top 10 percent) — $100,680 annually/$48.41 per hour BLUEPRINT | 2022 | arktimes.com 33
