Become an FCC Licensed Avionics Technician
Avionics technicians are responsible for performing a variety of tasks that may include maintenance and repair work on aircraft navigation and radio communications as well as weather radar and missile control systems. Work activities encompass numerous tasks such as inspection and installation, adjustments, service and repair. An Avionics Technician License is not presently offered through The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) but they do currently issue several types of commercial operator licenses. The General Radiotelephone Operators License is required by the FCC for those doing repair and maintenance work on FCC licensed radiotelephone aviation transmitters.
Steps
- Research the field of avionics to learn more about the work to see if the field is a good match for you. The work that avionics technicians engage in is highly specialized and requires extensive training as well as certification and licensing.
- Visit the website of the FCC to review the description of General Radiotelephone Operators License and to get an overview of the examination. Requirements include being a legal resident of the United States, being able to both receive and transmit messages in English and passing the examination.
- Browse the Internet and explore various programs that provide technical training in preparation for a position as an avionics technician if you have no experience within the field. Obtaining an education in avionics lays the necessary groundwork prior to completing the examination for the General Radiotelephone Operators License.
- Consider taking some refresher avionics coursework if you are already working in the field but want to become certified and licensed. Some preparatory study and tutorials will increase your chances of passing the FCC's General Radiotelephone Operators License Examination so that you can advance in your career.
- Review the various sections of the written examination for the General Radiotelephone Operators License available on the website of the FCC. Successfully passing this examination requires testing under Element 1 and Element 3.
- Review the portion that focuses on Written Element 1 of the General Radiotelephone Operators License on the FCC website. This portion focuses on basic operating practice and radio law and requires correctly answering a minimum of 18 questions out of a total of 24 questions.
- Read through the overview provided for Written Element 3 of the General Radiotelephone Operators License on the FCC website. This section covers general radiotelephone and electronic fundamentals necessary to complete repairs, adjustments and maintenance on transmitters for both receivers and radios. Applicants must successfully respond to a minimum of 75 out of 100 questions to pass this portion.
- Browse through the FCC's website to discover that sample question and answer sheets are available for perspective examinees to acquire in preparation for the General Radiotelephone Operators License Examination. Links to the information are located under the section for Exam Question Pools.
- Realize that study guides to assist in preparation for the General Radiotelephone Operators License Examination can be obtained via links provided on the FCC's website. There is additional information available for interested individuals provided on the FCC's site for examination schedules, locations and fees.
