Avionics

[K@$H!F]

just wondering if there is anyone in avionics or anything to do with it...like avionics technition? How much is their pay?

[slc95]

I'm not in Avionics but I work with many people who are (I'm in Aircraft Structures).

Check out this link:

http://www1.on.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/ojf/ojf.jsp?lang=e&section=Profile&noc=2244

It should give you a good idea of employment rates and salaries. Are you in school now? I can try and answer any questions you might have with my somewhat limited knowledge of this trade. I was originally supposed to train as an Avionics technician, but, well...things changed. Long story.

[K@$H!F]

Is aircraft structures a better field than avionics technition? Where did you study to get into the field? How long did you study in college?

[FastFokker]

Pick an area of specialty that most interests you.

I can't predict the future, but I think demand for Avionics Tech's is on the increase, especially in the US (if that's of interest to you).

The future is looking like there will be more, smaller aircraft, all designed around complex computer systems for navigation and seperation (relieving ATC).

Canada is a slightly different market, as we have a lot of bush type flying which doesn't always involve the most up to date instrumentation.. of course that is slowly changing, but again I think the bigger market is the USA.

So in my opinion (which isn't very reliable :lol: ), I think it's a great industry to jump into while you can and get in on the currently unfolding Small Aircraft Revolution.

Or perhaps the military might be a choice for you? With the new government elect, we should hope to see much more spending and we definitely need new aircraft, and new aircraft need to be maintained.

[slc95]

Is aircraft structures a better field than avionics technition? Where did you study to get into the field? How long did you study in college?

It depends on what you consider "better". If you like Monster Garage and American Chopper and those types of shows...you'd probably like structures. If you like to build computers and play with electroinics in general, then avionics would be good. If you like both, like me, well...I guess you have to decide! I didn't really get much of a choice, but Aircraft Structures is cool in the sense that it can be more of an art. At the end of the day, I've done something that is MINE. And months, or years, later I can go back to a particular aircraft and show someone else a repair or mod I did. AVS techs tend to do more parts changing and bench testing, and their work can get a little routine.

I like the fact that I can build stuff for myself and I have made numerous things for other people. For example, I machined a nice working model of a cannon, done paint jobs on numerous friends cars and trucks, built a boat trailer, made a carbon fiber hood for a friend...plus lots more. I also know lots of AVS techs who do electronics jobs as a home business or just for some extra cash, too.

I joined the Air Force (where I am now) for my training. They sent me to SAIT in Calgary for a year and I got my diploma there, however the Canadian Forces usually does not send people to civillian colleges as they have their own schools.

Check out recruiting.dnd.ca (http://recruiting.dnd.ca). Even if you have no interest in joining the military whatsoever, it will give you a very good outline of the training and type of work that you would be doing.

If you don't want to go military, you'll probably want to get your AME license, though. Basically, all that means is that you are responsible/can authorize work done on the aircraft. You can be an unlicensed/non AME Avionics or Structures (Or Aviation Systems tech...think auto mechanic), but the pay and job opportunities aren't as good as they are for AMEs (Aircraft Maintenance Engineers)

[DirtyDave]

just wondering if there is anyone in avionics or anything to do with it...like avionics technition? How much is their pay?


I have a college diploma in Aircraft Maintenance, and I Have 2 years work experiance in the industry. And ill be honest, the pay isnt as great as you think it is. an AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) apprentice in General Aviation will make between $10-15. expect to be making $18-20 an hr when you are licenced. Work for an airline like air Canada, you will start at $25 an hour, but its scary, they lay-off employees just as fast as they hire them. Also a thing to keep in mind, is a lot of work in aviation is seasonal. might be busy in the summer, but may end up looking for a new job come fall.


Dont get me wrong though aviation is an exighting carrrer choice. I cant think of a better job to be doing. I was told before i got into it, that AMEs get into cause they love airplanes and they like what they do, they dont get into it for the money. you will make more money as a car mechanic then an AME. no joke!!!!

oh and another warning I was given before venturing into the industry. it is almost guarnteed you will get A.I.D.S (Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome). fortuantly for me im not married so I am immune to A.I.D.S. but I thought id pass the warning on anyways

[K@$H!F]

Is that how much they really make? 10$-15$...Thanks for the info guys!!!

I was wondering of going in to the air force...Do they have the same pay there of 10$-15$? How much are thy expected to make over there? i was thinking of going into avionics structures..that suites me the most...

How much traning did you go to, in the air force, before getting into the job?

[slc95]

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/7638/cfpayscale8yl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I took the liberty of making this pay scale chart for the Canadian Forces for you. Let me explain it:

At the top where I've put "Starting Pay" is what you'll be making right off the bat from day one. What happens is after you're sworn in, you get sent to Basic training (Boot Camp) for 10 weeks before you start your trades training. The amount listed there is monthly pay, before deductions and is a salary. There is no such thing (well, not really) as overtime in the CF, but other things make up for it. If you compare it to a $/hr rate, you'd start at about $15/hr. You can enter either Avionics or Aircraft Structures with only grade 10, although grade 12 is prefered. Also, if you go to school first and then join, you may be eligible for a $10000 signing bonus. You'd have to talk to a recruiter about this, though.

After Basic, they'll send you for training for about 1.5 years as a Avionics tech or about a year for Aircraft Structures. Of course, you're getting paid during this time and the training is Transport Canada certified, so if you ever get out of the military, they will recognize your training.

Once you are fully qualified, (ie after about 4 years) you'll receive your promotion to Corporal. This is that middle column in the chart. Like I said, you get salary, not per hour, but there is potential to get more money (tax free) if you go on deployments.

Keep in mind that the military isn't for everyone, but it is a very good place to get your training for free and build up some work experience before going out into the work force. Hope this has cleared up some questions for you...if you have any others about the trades or the military in general, just ask.

BTW, there's no such thing as Avionics structures...either avionics OR structures...you can't do both. If you kind of like both, you may want to look into NDT tech (Non destructive testing). They get paid under the specialist 2 column after they're fully qualified and they deal with both electronics and the structural integrity of the aircraft by looking for corrosion and damage on the aircraft (although they don't repair anything...that's when they call us!) It may be worth looking into. I also know a lot of NDT techs who do jobs on the side for oil companies. They'll take 2 or 3 weeks off work and these oil companies will fly them out to places like Ft McMurray to inspect oil pipelines, all expenses paid. I've heard some guys making as much as $10K for just 3 weeks work, in addition to free room and board during their stay. Once again, check out recruiting.dnd.ca (http://recruiting.dnd.ca).

I don't want to browbeat you into think the CF is the only way to go, but if job stability is important to you, and you really want to get into this as a career, it is a very good option. Then again, I'm a little biased ;)

[K@$H!F]

thanks for the info...
By the way, the chart didnt show up...

where exactly do they send you for the traning?is it in the city(toronto)?

I also heard that, after they train you, you have to do a number of years of service for them?Is that true? If yes how long?
So they pay you in salary? Do they pay you monthly?

The career i was talking about was aircraft structures...Thats what i prefer most..

[slc95]

thanks for the info...
By the way, the chart didnt show up...

where exactly do they send you for the traning?is it in the city(toronto)?

I also heard that, after they train you, you have to do a number of years of service for them?Is that true? If yes how long?
So they pay you in salary? Do they pay you monthly?

The career i was talking about was aircraft structures...Thats what i prefer most..

Look again in my post above yours...if it still doesn't show for you, I'll PM it to you.

Basic training is 10 weeks long in St Jean, PQ. Your trades training in generally done at CFB Borden (near Barrie), although Avionics do extra training call POET (performance oriented electronics training) done at CFB Kingston.

Yes, like I said, you get a salary...your paycheque will be the same regardless of how many hours a week you work. You will get paid on the middle and end of the month (15th and 30th/31st).

If you are truely interested in aircraft structures, PM me and I'll tell you everything you want to know about the trade.

[FastFokker]

http://www.brainhunter.com/frontoffice/seekerViewJobDetailAction.do?sitecode=pl278&jobId=709730&page=search
8 Positions Available

http://img319.imageshack.us/img319/1337/03746456ta.jpg

[K@$H!F]

If you are truely interested in aircraft structures, PM me and I'll tell you everything you want to know about the trade.

Yes PLease....

[FastFokker]

K@$H!F, what has made you interested in avionics in the first place?

Maybe with some detail and elaboration we could suggest other areas of aviation which might be of further interest to you.

[lexus]

Interesting topic...
I am always interested in AirTrafficController (ATC). Do they have any age restriction to start? I planned to study thru college long time ago but thing change. I am in the mid 30's, is there other way I can get into it again.
Thanks

[FastFokker]

I beleive minimum age for ATC is 18yrs old and I don't believe there is any kind of educational requirement, only medical certification.

NAVCan trains you themselves (some costs involved).

http://atsrecruitment.navcanada.ca/default.asp?presets=lang=0

Pay is quite low, and it takes a long time to work your way up to heavy IFR traffic (good pay). But if it's something you love, the lowpay won't make the difference.

That seems to be a common thread between all areas of Canadian Aviation. People do it because they love it, not because of the money... if they wind up making good cash, that's just a bonus.

[K@$H!F]

K@$H!F, what has made you interested in avionics in the first place?

I was always interested in air planes and stuff when i was a little kid..
I didnt really wanna go in to flying..I know its a well paying job..but, basically, all you do is fly...I wanted to get into something, that i would'nt get bored of after a while..I wanted to get into something that i enjoy doing and have fun doing it at the same time... I enjoy fixing stuff and art(by the way)...So aircraft structures was close to my interests..

[K@$H!F]

If you are truely interested in aircraft structures, PM me and I'll tell you everything you want to know about the trade.

yes, please....

[FastFokker]

I was always interested in air planes and stuff when i was a little kid..
I didnt really wanna go in to flying..I know its a well paying job..but, basically, all you do is fly...I wanted to get into something, that i would'nt get bored of after a while..I wanted to get into something that i enjoy doing and have fun doing it at the same time... I enjoy fixing stuff and art(by the way)...So aircraft structures was close to my interests..
Well to start, I don't think many Canadian pilots get bored of the job. They may get bored on some longhaul flights, but not the job. You can get bored doing avionics and structures too, it's all in your perception of the job and what you make of it.

That said, what is your location? You should see about hooking up with a local shop that works on aircraft. You could give them some free labour (possibly even paid), and they can give you some insight into their operations. From there you could decide what kind of field you'd like to specialize in.

Are you basically only interested in a 1-2yr College program? And ruling out a degree? It's fine if you are, degrees aren't a necessity, but it does exclude a few choice fields. (none discussed so far)

Some guys (and gals I suppose) who are really crazy also take up 2 trades and become Pilot+AME. Great stuff on the resume and really keeps your brain busy I can imagine.

[K@$H!F]

I'm in toronto, scarborough..Well my first choice was going to college for either one of the avionics or structures..Theni found out that the air reserves has the program, also, and they train you for free, so i though i'd go for that and go from there..

Were you ever in any of these fields..and what did you think about it?

[K@$H!F]

If you are truely interested in aircraft structures, PM me and I'll tell you everything you want to know about the trade.

Hi slc95,

Can you send me the info...
Thanks

[FastFokker]

He said to PM him (send him a private message).. try that.

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&userid=19453