An Avionics Technician is a multi-skilled soldier who is responsible for the on-going maintenance of avionic systems and equipment including aircraft communication, navigation, radar, electrical, electronics and instrument systems and selected ground equipment. They also conduct limited inspection and repair of aircraft safety equipment and armament.

• Carries out scheduled servicing, unscheduled servicing, modifications, overhauls, fault diagnosis and repairs to aircraft electrical, instrument, communication, navigation, radar and electronic systems and equipment.
• Carries out manufacture and repairs to electrical looms and antenna cables.
• Operates and maintains test equipment and special tooling associated with the trade.
• Operational level inspections of aircraft engines and airframes for air-worthiness.
• May act as a crew member during maintenance test flights to diagnose faults.
• Identifies defects in the areas covered by their trade.
• Maintains technical manuals and maintenance documentation for aircraft and related equipment.
• Conducts limited inspection and repair of aircraft safety and survival equipment and armament.
• Conducts minor refurbishment tasks normally carried out by surface finishers and Aircraft Life Support Fitters in larger workshops.
• Assists with recovery of Army aircraft.
• Assists with repair, inspection and testing of computer equipment.

On completion of the training at RAAFSTT, this particular occupation is classified as a Pay Group 4, with progression to Pay Group 5 on completion of both the aircraft type course and OJT.

Technician Avionics Course at RAAF School of Technical Training: 64 Weeks
Aircraft Maintenance Techniques Type Course: 9 Weeks
On-the-Job Training: 12 months
You will attend the RAAF School of Technical Training (RAAFSTT) at Wagga Wagga NSW. The training at RAAFSTT provides an integrated approach incorporating nationally accredited theory and practical training on aircraft systems and documentation. Subjects are taught by both RAAF and the Riverina College of TAFE to the National Aerospace Curriculum, which is a fully modularised course covering Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) modules. This curriculum is industry portable and an accredited package. As the mode of training is accredited, there is exportability of that trade qualification into the civil community providing a broader scope of employment in the future.

On completion of the course you will be posted to the Army Aviation Training Centre, Oakey QLD, to undergo On-the-Job training (OJT) for a period of 12 months. During this period, you will also attend the appropriate aircraft equipment maintenance type course at the Rotary Wing Aircraft Maintenance School, Oakey. The aircraft type course you will be taught on will depend on the Army's needs.
On completion of the OJT period you will be awarded with a Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Electronics).

Further Training
As your career advances, you will have the opportunity to attain additional aircraft type qualifications and a Diploma (AQF 5) and Advanced Diploma (AQF 6) of Engineering (Aerospace) qualifications.

The Technician Avionics is employed in a variety of Aviation Units throughout Australia including Oakey, Townsville and Darwin.

Completion of Australian Year 10 education (or equivalent) with passes in English, Mathematics and Science (with a Physics content) and one other subject. The following state/territory levels of achievement are required in Year 10 Mathematics:

• QLD - HA (or top 50 percentile)
• NSW - Band 4
• ACT - B
• VIC - 1 or B (or top 50 percentile)
• TAS - B or HA
• SA - B or Yr 12 Subject Study Score of 14
• WA - B
• NT - B or Yr 12 Subject Study Score of 14

These entry qualifications are the minimum required to facilitate understanding of the engineering principles encountered during later phases of training.
Note: Consumer Maths, General Maths, Maths in Society and similarly 'modified' Maths subjects are not suitable for this job.

On completion of the OJT period you will be awarded with a Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering - Avionics AQF 4).
In addition, this category's courses meet the requirements for both civilian and military authorities and will make you eligible for:

• Statement of Attainment in Workplace Assessment (Aviation) is granted to personnel on successful completion of the Competency Based Training Workplace Assessor - Aviation course.
• Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering - Avionics): granted to personnel on completion of their Aeroskills Journal.
• Diploma of Management (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering - Avionics): granted to personnel on being assessed as a competent ARA Sergeant.
• Advanced Diploma of Management (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering - Avionics): granted to personnel on being assessed as a competent ARA Warrant Officer