9521-NOC

Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors

(NOC 22313)
Annual Earnings
$78,502
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
280

Career Overview

Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors install, adjust, repair, overhaul and maintain complex aircraft electrical systems and electrical flight controls, such as flight data recorders, radar, communications and navigation systems.

This group also includes workers who inspect instrument, electrical and avionics systems following assembly, modification, repair or overhaul.

People in this occupation:

  • Provide critical safety services for the crew and passengers of the aircraft they work on, following Transport Canada regulations to maintain stringent safety standards
  • Are employed by regional or national airline companies, architectural or engineering companies, aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and overhaul establishments, and by other aircraft operators
  • Must have attention to detail, and good visualization skills and manual dexterity
  • Have an interest in working with the sophisticated components and systems of modern aircraft
  • Must have good communication skills and follow safe work practices

Duties

Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors:

  • Test aircraft wiring and control circuitry through voltage metering and resistance measurement
  • Read and cross-reference extensive maintenance logs kept for the aircraft to detect patterns and predict and prevent cyclical circuit problems
  • Review weekly accident and maintenance bulletins containing new information from the global maintenance community
  • Conduct impartial and fair random checks on maintenance work to ensure quality and accuracy in the maintenance standards and practices of the aviation industry
  • Periodically upgrade and patch the programmed control routines of digitized electrical and electronic control systems

Special duties

Aircraft instrument mechanics and technicians

These workers repair and overhaul, install, calibrate and test aircraft instruments. Aircraft instrument mechanics and technicians who work in repair and overhaul shops service and test electrical, electronic and instrument components.

Aircraft electrical mechanics and technicians

Aircraft electrical mechanics and technicians repair and overhaul, modify, install and test aircraft electrical systems and equipment.

Avionics mechanics and technicians

These workers troubleshoot, repair and overhaul, test, modify, install and inspect aircraft electronic and electrical systems and components (i.e. including communications, navigation and auto flight equipment).

Avionics mechanics and technicians who work in maintenance hangars troubleshoot, repair, install and inspect aircraft systems and components.

Avionics inspectors

Avionics inspectors examine and test aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics systems and ensure that the installation, maintenance, repair and overhaul of these systems meet Transport Canada and company standards of performance and safety.

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$78,502

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$53.57/hr
Median$37.64/hr
Low$21.24/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

590

% Employed Full Time

81%
Source: 2021 Census

Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors typically work indoors (in hangars, repair shops or on assembly lines); inspectors and some mechanics may be required to work outdoors in hangers or on the flight line.

Workers perform their tasks in a team with other aircraft trades. Shift work may be a requirement for some occupations and most repair work conducted on aircrafts occurs at night.

Workers may perform their duties under pressure to maintain flight schedules, which may make the job more stressful. The work environment may include unfavourable conditions such as excessive noise, dirt or unpleasant odours and individuals who work outdoors may be exposed to unfavourable weather conditions.

Safety precautions must be undertaken at all times since workers may also be exposed to electrical hazards. Aircraft inspectors may have to stand, lie or kneel in awkward positions or work in high places, such as the top of jet wings and fuselages.

Career Pathways

Aircraft maintenance technicians, inspectors and mechanics may acquire further approvals to their AME licence, allowing them to inspect and certify a broader range of aircraft and avionics systems.

With experience and further education individuals may move into supervisory positions within specific areas of expertise.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Aircraft electrical technician
Aircraft electrician
Aircraft instrument inspector
Aircraft instrument mechanic
Aircraft instrument technician
Aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) - avionics
Avionics inspector
Avionics maintenance technician
Avionics technician
Instrument overhaul and repair mechanic - avionics

Education, Training and Skills

Completion of a Transport Canada approved college diploma program, experience in the trade, as well as certification is generally required. College diploma programs vary in length, from 29 weeks for Aircraft Mechanical Component Technicians to a 48-week diploma program for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category E (Avionics).

Employers and government regulating bodies may also require other specialized aircraft training, recertification or completion of additional examinations, such as Radiation Safety or Industrial Radiographers examinations.

Some occupations may require an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licence through a recognized Transport Canada training school or institute.

Inspectors are required to obtain an Aircraft Maintenance and Inspection Certificate endorsed for the type of aircraft and power plants where they are employed.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Aircraft Mechanic/Maintenance
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Equipment Maintenance

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

72%
Repairing

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

72%
Troubleshooting

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

72%
Critical Thinking

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

68%
Operations Monitoring

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

68%
Quality Control Analysis

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

68%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

62%
Active Listening

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.

59%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

59%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

56%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

590
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 10 1.7%
Kootenay 0 0.0%
Mainland/Southwest 330 55.5%
North Coast and Nechako 0 0.0%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 75 12.6%
Vancouver Island/Coast 155 26.1%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

280
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo Not available Not available
Kootenay Not available Not available
Mainland/Southwest 200 1.4%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 40 0.9%
Vancouver Island/Coast 40 0.6%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Transportation And Warehousing200
Manufacturing50
Public Administration20
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services10
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Of the openings expected to become available over the next few years, most will result from retirements.

There will be strong demand for individuals trained in aviation component overhaul, which along with maintenance and repair of aircraft, is the primary activity in the B.C. aerospace industry. Older aircrafts consistently need to be serviced. As such, workers in this occupational group will be needed to provide these services even when new materials production is slow.

British Columbia aerospace companies produce a variety of aerospace components machined to the highest tolerances. Those who test, inspect and repair these components will continue to be strongly valued by this industry in the province.

Employment in the manufacturing and maintenance sectors of the province's aerospace industry has grown. There is a critical shortage of skilled workers in this occupational group to meet future demand.

Industry, labour, government and training institutions have developed an initiative called the B.C. Aerospace Workforce Strategy to help turn around the aerospace skills shortage in the province and to ensure steps are taken to respond to the demands of this industry.

Resources