RAF Technician (Avionics or Mechanical)

[hightower1986]

Good evening, having recently been knocked back at the the filter interview stage for Pilot I am keen to follow my second choice of Avionics technician, but was after some advice as to how the two types of Techs compare, work type, detachments etc etc.
Also what the best bet for the future would be, Avionics or Mechanics?

[Saintsman]

Depends what you mean by future.

Short term or as a career.

I'm not sure how good RAF training will be. In my time, the RAF had a wide variety of aircraft and therefore the training had to be good enough for you to work on any of them. With the modern Air Force likely to only have a few types, will the basic grounding be as in depth? It will certainly be good enough to manage on the aircraft they will have but I really don't know if it will be good enough to get you into civvy street once you leave, if that's your long term aim (not that its easy now).

Avionics / Mechanical? Depends whether you want to get your hands dirty ;)

[hightower1986]

I mean as a career rather than short term, up until possible retirement age. Quite happy getting my hands dirty but the avionics appeals to me more, surely the training with the RAF despite being type specific is still good and the avionic basics for all systems are the same? Thanks

[Fitter2]

In my career following RAF service, I found my electronic/avionic training highly applicable, and in engineering management found that avionics people could assimilate mechanical principles much more readily than mechanical engineers could appreciate the capabilities amd limitations of electronics, and were much less likely to present useful ideas outside thir own field.

Or I might just have been prejudiced.

[exairman]

Sorry Fitter2,

known avionics people who can't tell the difference between one end of a hammer to the other!!:E

[Rigga]

Hightower,

Stick to your aspirations and go for it.

RAF training is no better and certainly not worse than many other electronic training schemes and, although you may not live in foreign places anymore, you may see more than you would as a civvy. It should at least be interesting.

What I'm trying to say is - the future looks good for Av's.

IF you can get in.

[Herc-u-lease]

Hightower,

check your PMs

[The Oberon]

Difficult one this. I PVR'd at age 40 having spent the previous 10 years as an Av Chf. Tech. Within 12 months I had doubled my salary with none of the responsibilities attached to managing the 76 fairies I had previously.

Looking back, I put my good fortune down to the 3 years I spent as a Radar Apprentice at Locking, where I was given 3 years in depth training in diagnostics, logical thinking and much more. This gave me the ability to quickly diagnose complicated faults with minimum test equipment at all levels of servicing, 1st, 2nd and 3rd line.

This sort of training no longer seems to exist, 2nd and 3rd line servicing and repair is done by manufacturers and 1st line servicing seems to depend on Built In Test systems which are supposed to tell you what the fault is and what to change. As a result the training is now aimed at interpreting the BIT results and is no where near as comprehensive as it was.

From a personal point of view, I don't think being a BIT interpreter would satisfy me.

[Fitter2]

Sorry Fitter2,

known avionics people who can't tell the difference between one end of a hammer to the other!!http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/evil.gif

Agreed, but when the uses to which the ends could be put were demonstrated, they caught on quickly. Now, wiggly amps and straight ones to a sootie was a different story....:rolleyes:

[NutLoose]

You say that , but in Civi street we have ditched the Electricians etc and put it all onto the Airframe / Engine EASA licences AND you have to do "wigglies" to degree level. Mechanical Instruments were always done by Airframes at aircraft level anyway.

That said if you are looking at this long term, Licenced Avionics trades out of the RAF tend to fall in a higher pay bracket.

[glad rag]

Looking back, I put my good fortune down to the 3 years I spent as a Radar Apprentice at Locking, where I was given 3 years in depth training in diagnostics, logical thinking and much more. This gave me the ability to quickly diagnose complicated faults with minimum test equipment at all levels of servicing, 1st, 2nd and 3rd line.

This sort of training no longer seems to exist, 2nd and 3rd line servicing and repair is done by manufacturers and 1st line servicing seems to depend on Built In Test systems which are supposed to tell you what the fault is and what to change. As a result the training is now aimed at interpreting the BIT results and is no where near as comprehensive as it was.


In a nutshell. :D

[Blacksheep]

...AND you have to do "wigglies" to degree level. Mechanical Instruments were always done by Airframes at aircraft level anyway.
Really? :hmm:

Haven't seen many B1 chaps in the Part 21 office, knocking out electrical modifications and repair schemes lately. Not many twiddling knobs on the old Barfield either.

If hightower1986 wants to be a Technician, Avionics is a good choice, but if its a long term career choice he's making I'd recommend getting an Engineering Degree and going for a commission as an Engineering Officer.

[SRENNAPS]

Agreed, but when the uses to which the ends could be put were demonstrated, they caught on quickly. Now, wiggly amps and straight ones to a sootie was a different story....

I was a sootie for 29 years before I left and I now work for a large European corporate organisation, engineering on deployable satellite communications systems. I did tell them at my interview that I was a sootie, honest:8

Mind you when asked a question at critical design review presentations that I don’t understand, being an ex sootie does have its advantages. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Hightower1986

Hope you do not take offence at this question.

Please can I confirm whether you are intending to join as a Technician or as an Engineering Officer? If you have (and I am assuming you have) the qualifications to possibly become a pilot then do you not have the qualifications to apply for a commission as an Engineering Officer. Unless things have changed, you would specialise in one area but you will have the advantage as a JENGO to be involved in all areas: Mechanical, Avionics, Electrical and Armament.

Apologies if I have missed something.

(and I have just seen the response from Blacksheep – totally agree with his recommendation if you have not got the qualifications)

[Pontius Navigator]

I know of a REME Tech on electronic. Reached rank of Staff Sgt before 30 but could not get a commission. Transferred to the RAF, got a commission, now a sqn ldr and in several appointments was equal with or superior too wuperts with whom he used to work.

Not sure about how a fairy would fair in the RAF though.

[sled dog]

P N , i believe fairies are allowed now.......:E

[NutLoose]

Quote:
...AND you have to do "wigglies" to degree level. Mechanical Instruments were always done by Airframes at aircraft level anyway.
Really? http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/yeees.gif

Haven't seen many B1 chaps in the Part 21 office, knocking out electrical modifications and repair schemes lately. Not many twiddling knobs on the old Barfield either.


Well I am B1 and do ALL of our fleets instrument calibrations

[hightower1986]

Blacksheep and SRENNAPS, whilst I have the qualifications to apply for pilot I do not have a degree, required for Engineering Officer. So that's out also, the reason I do not want to go to Uni and spend 3-4 years doing a degree in engineering and then apply is I will a) be in some serious debts due to tuition fees going up massively and b) like the lifestyle that the RAF.
Thanks for the replies not an unhelpful one yet! (give it time this is PPRuNe)!!

[old-timer]

I'd say follow your ideal, or in modern speak; follow your dream;

based on the general demise of UK manufacturing I'd say Avionics is more likely to lead to continued employment post service life but whatever floats your boat so to speak PLUS - Don't give up your piloting dreams - many an aspiring pilot has started at the bottom & worked their way up; alternatively, go for a PPL if you can - go for your heartfelt option & enjoy - I spent years wondering what I should do for the best & next thing I knew I was 50 + - blimey, an old git ! - but I did manage to enjoy myself on the way - best experience ever was flying a PA 28 over Yosemite @ + 14k ft - - `it's flying Jim - but not as we know it` !! :-)
(Would have preferred to be in the trusty (?) F4 though ! )

have FUN whatever -)

[It's Not Working]

PN you have PM

[Blacksheep]

the reason I do not want to go to Uni and spend 3-4 years doing a degree in engineering and then apply is I will a) be in some serious debts due to tuition fees going up massively and b) like the lifestyle that the RAF...So why not try for degree sponsorship? If your application is successful, you get your degree without the debt and you end up in the RAF just as you wish...

Follow this link... What we offer - Salary and benefits, career development, training and sponsorship - RAF Careers (http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/whatweoffer/)

[SRENNAPS]

Follow this link... What we offer - Salary and benefits, career development, training and sponsorship - RAF Careers

That link makes me want to be able to turn back the clock and do it all over again......and boy if I could, I would:ok::ok:

hightower1986,

Whichever way you try to join, I hope you succeed and have a fantastic and rewarding career. I certainly did.:O