Im joining the air force, whats better aircraft tech or avionics tech?

Question

i got accepted to do pretty much any trade i want in the air force and im stuck on two different careers, aircraft technician where you rebuild turbines, landing gear, oxygen tanks, turbo-fans etc, or a avionics technician where you fix and diagnose all the electrics like radio transmitters and receivers electronic controls in the cockpit, batteries etc just all things electronic. im stuck and i need to make a decision asap

Answer 1

The problem with the Air Force is that they only teach you what they want you to know to accomplish a very narrow job description.  If you sign up as a landing gear technician, all you will ever do is rebuild landing gears. If you are assigned as a turbine engine tech, all you will ever do is work on turbine engines. You could work at your assigned duties for 20 years and never actually touch an airplane.  

An avionics tech gets a wider range of experience, and does actually get to work on airplanes.  Plus... When you leave the service, an Avionics tech has a better chance of finding a good paying job in the aviation industry.

No matter which specialty you choose, do all you can right from the start to qualify for your A&P license. A fully qualified A&P/Avionics technician can almost write his own pay check on the outside!

Answer 2

Well it's like this... What are you best at.  

Do you have any electrical or mechanical experience?  

How good are your math skills?

If you have a genuine interest in  electronics or in aviaion (Avionics) then by all means go for that option.  but its not just changing boxes if thats what you are thinking.  There are a mulitude of tasks that you will be required to learn, from pulling wire, using Ohms Law to tuning radios and the like.  (too much to name here, but you get the idea)

You would be amazed at what an aircraft is capable of.  Or,

If you have built or rebuilt mechanical systems i.e car engines, motorcycles or bicycles or whatever then perhaps you would be better off as an aircraft technician working with the structures and mechanical systems.

Ultimately it depends on what your interests are.  And only you can answer that.

Answer 3

Go for what interests you.

ONe thing that has not been mentioned here is with the airframe/powerplant license, you can get signed off for experience to take your tests by the FAA.  But if you go avionics, you will be limited in getting an A and P.

Also the airline I work for is union and the pay is the same whether you are avionics or general mechnic.

Answer 4

Either would be fine.  There is demand for both in the commercial aviation world.  Which is more interesting to you, electronics or mechanics?

Answer 5

Good avionics techs are scarce in the civilian world and the pay is usually better, so go for the avionics training.

Answer 6

I say go for the avionics, am A&P for 30 years now and though computer has automatated much of the aircraft it just make troubleshooting or working on the aircraft by avionics people simplier. Go for it as in civilian's life you can even go for In-flight entertainment system if you get tired doing avionics job.

Answer 7

Depends how your training goes. Some people are further suited to the electrical side. Others will be better suited to the mechanical  side.

Answer 8

Are you more mechanically declined (like taking things apart to see how they work)? - aircraft

Are you more technically declined (computers, electronics, math/science)? - avionics

Of course, as aircraft get more technically advanced, those lines are blurring.

Do you like (or not mind) getting dirty and greasy, and working in temperature extremes or around loud noises - aircraft

Do you like a cleaner, quieter environment - avionics.

Avionics techs generally do get a 'premium' in the civilian market.

As for military aircraft techs 'acing' their A&Ps, it ain't necessarily so. Until you get to more advanced rank, you'll get REALLY REALLY good at one area of maintenance (eg hydraulic systems, or tires and brakes) and be fairly weak in most others. About half of my A&P school class were former military aircraft techs who were rounding out their resumes.

Answer 9

OH, it's the military, it won't happen that way anyways. Just before you are to start your aircraft training, they'll decide you'd be better off as an MP in Iraq, give you a few weeks training on handling guard dogs, before you know it your in a foxhole in some God-forsaken Iraqi desert guarding Hum Vees eating Country Captain Chicken MREs arm wrestling for the Chicklets.

Answer 10

I'm a crew chief and my wife is avionic's. depends on what you want? there's more of a demand for avionics on the outside but all the airlines are downsizing. I get a lot more travel then she doe's by far but gets very old. avionics school is very long and demanding. its worth the challenge and you should be very busy during duty hours to make the time pass. I've worked on cross training to avionics and would probally enjoy it if the travelled as much as we do and puled alert and worked in the elements. other then that very boring

Answer 11

Go for both. If you decide to go into commercial aviation, an A&P with an avionics rating will make you the cream of the crop.