Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
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
Job Titles
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.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
590% Employed Full Time
81%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
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For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
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.
Top 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!
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
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.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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
590Employment by Region
| 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% |
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 (2024-2034)
300Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
| Kootenay | Not available | Not available |
| Mainland/Southwest | 220 | 1.3% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 40 | 0.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 40 | 0.5% |
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
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | 210 |
| Manufacturing | 60 |
| Public Administration | 30 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 10 |
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
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Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC)www.aiac.ca
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Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) Pacificaiacpacific.ca
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Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospacewww.avaerocouncil.ca
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Real Life Aviator Video Serieswww.takeflightvideo.com
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SkilledTradesBCskilledtradesbc.ca/
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Transport Canada – Air Transportationwww.tc.gc.ca/en/services/aviation.html