Avionics (from the words aviation and electronics) is the application of electronics to the operation of aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. Avionics technicians inspect, test, adjust, and repair the electronic components of aircraft communications, navigation, and flight-control systems and compile complete maintenance-and-overhaul records for the work they do. Avionics technicians also calibrate and adjust the frequencies of the communications apparatus when it is installed and perform periodic checks on those frequency settings.
It basically deals with the electrical part of aircraft and engines. We have all heard of a black box, flight data recorder, and voice recorder during aircraft investigation, these are components and systems that are serviced and maintained by avionic engineers.
Avionic engineers handle all electrical/electronic systems of airframes and engines. Basically, any electrical/electronic system of entire aircraft falls under their mandate.
With modern aircraft that are fully computerized and full of sensors, powered control systems, etc. The avionic engineer is in full demand by airlines of today. Having said so, let it not confuse you that airlines can only work with avionic engineers without engines engineer or airframes engineers.
Remember all avionics systems are either used by engines or airframes to operate their systems. As such without engines or airframes then there is no avionics and without avionics engines and airframes cannot operate. Generally in aviation, we all need one another.
Avionics is divided into a number of branches and when one qualifies in either one or more of these branches he/she is issued with a license in aircraft maintenance engineering (AMEL CAT ‘X’).
The more branches you qualify the more licenses you are issued with.
Examples of these branches are CAT’ X’ electrical AC/DC, CAT ‘X’ Radios, CAT’ X’ Instruments, CAT’ X’ Campus CAT’X’ Radar.
KENYA AERONAUTICAL COLLEGE WILL TRAIN YOU FOR A DIPLOMA WHICH IS ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION. AFTER ATTAINING YOUR DIPLOMA YOU WILL PROCEED ON FOR INTERNSHIP/PRACTICE FOR THREE YEARS BEFORE YOU QUALIFY FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXAMS.
REMEMBER YOU CAN NEVER BE A PROFESSIONAL BEFORE YOU ATTAIN ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION.
