studying avionics
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studying avionics
hi all, im new here, im studying Avionics in Ireland however i am informed i must do 2/3 years placement before i can get my technicians licence, i ideally want to be a pilot and chose to do this course as i feel it may help me get my foot in the door toward being a pilot
im asking to see what being an avionics technician is like? and has anyone gone my route, i.e become a pilot from being a technician?
any advice greatly appreciated!
im asking to see what being an avionics technician is like? and has anyone gone my route, i.e become a pilot from being a technician?
any advice greatly appreciated!
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and has anyone gone my route, i.e become a pilot from being a technician?
Last edited by Golden Rivet; 13th Dec 2006 at 15:40.
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If you want to become a pilot in future, avionics is probably most suited...there are many similarities between the two-main one being both pilots and avo's spend most of the day sitting down! Altho some Avo's prefere to be in the horizontal position while sleeping!
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If you want to be a pilot the best thing to do is concentrate on that.
Becoming a licenced B1 or B2 can take much longer and requires alot more study. Between 2-5 years study, average is probably 3-4 years. You also have to have 5 years experience but this can be reduced depending on backround.
It can also be very difficult to get the experience required if your not working in an airline or Maint Org as most won't touch without an apprenticeship.
Becoming a licenced B1 or B2 can take much longer and requires alot more study. Between 2-5 years study, average is probably 3-4 years. You also have to have 5 years experience but this can be reduced depending on backround.
It can also be very difficult to get the experience required if your not working in an airline or Maint Org as most won't touch without an apprenticeship.
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As you can see, you also need an odd sense of humour to be a B1 or B2 licensed guy. 
Basically, they're right. It takes a long time and a lot of effort to qualify. You're better off doing it the traditional way - get into debt to buy your frozen ATPL, then work your way through the sh*t jobs until you get the one you really want - which isn't necessarily a long-haul airline job.
If I was twenty years younger, I'd still be an old fart, but if I was forty years younger I'd try for the pilot route directly. The work you've already done won't be wasted irishwhale, it will be very useful during the ground studies.
Basically, they're right. It takes a long time and a lot of effort to qualify. You're better off doing it the traditional way - get into debt to buy your frozen ATPL, then work your way through the sh*t jobs until you get the one you really want - which isn't necessarily a long-haul airline job.
If I was twenty years younger, I'd still be an old fart, but if I was forty years younger I'd try for the pilot route directly. The work you've already done won't be wasted irishwhale, it will be very useful during the ground studies.
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it appears i might have landed some technical experience into my lap by being on this site...not so bad! from the sounds of it i would rather be a pilot, however, i dont like being in debt! there is a place in ireland that will get me my commercial licence,in 12 months no doubt!! but u can bet even the most average 19 year old student cant quite afford €75,000 to do that and i can see the look on the bank managers face if i ask him for that.....
is that money way OTT to pay? where in the uk can train me up to get my commercial?
is that money way OTT to pay? where in the uk can train me up to get my commercial?
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hi all, im new here, im studying Avionics in Ireland however i am informed i must do 2/3 years placement before i can get my technicians licence,
I'm guessing your doing the course in Carlow. I completed a year of the course myself and left to take up an apprenticeship, I have to say if you want to get your B2 I'm afraid Carlow isn't the way to go about it. Of the 3 or 4 groups that have completed the course I don't think anyone has been given any jobs in maintenance with the 2 years taking into account. All the companys, in Ireland anyway, have their apprenticeship route.
I have to agree with the other comments your probably as well bite the bullet and go straight for the flying. I see now with PTC in Waterford they've arranged some sort of finance arrangement with the aib.
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i must say i guessed that about the course, all d lads on d course do feel the same thats why i am gettin me arse in gear and looking at my options, so what do you do now then? yea either way with aib its still €75,000!!
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I'm about a year and half into an apprentiship, I'm gone down the avionics route now although the first nine months are comman.
Don't forget 20something grand for a type rating as well. At the same time though if it works out for you and you get a job you'll going to be paid fairly well. Thats the risk your taking though I suppose.
Don't forget 20something grand for a type rating as well. At the same time though if it works out for you and you get a job you'll going to be paid fairly well. Thats the risk your taking though I suppose.
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Irishwhale,
If you want to be a pilot, then go down the pilot route of PPL, CPL, flight training etc., as has been defined above. If you want to be an avionic engineer, then study avionic engineering.
It really is as simple as that. Engineers are engineers and pilots are pilots. Sure, an avionic engineer would have a better understanding of the instrumentation that is displayed to a pilot than would an airframe/engine engineer but an avionic guy would still not be able to fly it, just as a pilot would not be able to rectify avionic defects.
Becoming a licenced engineer is not an easy task, just as becoming a pilot is not an easy task. Make your decision and channel your efforts into one or the other.
Good Luck.
If you want to be a pilot, then go down the pilot route of PPL, CPL, flight training etc., as has been defined above. If you want to be an avionic engineer, then study avionic engineering.
It really is as simple as that. Engineers are engineers and pilots are pilots. Sure, an avionic engineer would have a better understanding of the instrumentation that is displayed to a pilot than would an airframe/engine engineer but an avionic guy would still not be able to fly it, just as a pilot would not be able to rectify avionic defects.
Becoming a licenced engineer is not an easy task, just as becoming a pilot is not an easy task. Make your decision and channel your efforts into one or the other.
Good Luck.
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Re: Avionics at Carlow
Hello Whale,
I was part of the first class to complete the Avionics Certificate at Carlow I.T. Like yourself i wanted to be a pilot but things changed and i was told engineering might be a better road to go down when it comes to getting a job.
After 2 years i got my Cert but Carlow had not received their part 145 approval which meant my Cert wouldnt get me a job in Macdonalds nevermind a job as an avionics technician. I hung around for a year and decided if i was going to do it right i'd have to start again. I started in Perth Scotland at Air Service Training. This was expensive however i am just finished my course and work placement and i'm looking for a job back in Ireland. The Bank Man may have my balls in a vice to the tune of 20,000 yo yo's but i feel i made the right decision.
I would check if the Carlow Course is recognised if i were you, they shafted me good and proper. As for life as an Avionics Technician, i've really enjoyed my work placement. Working on Embraer 145's at BMI Aberdeen. The work is very interesting and if you have an interest in planes and electronics then you'll find it an enjoyable career.
Hope this helps you out, even a little.
Regards.
I was part of the first class to complete the Avionics Certificate at Carlow I.T. Like yourself i wanted to be a pilot but things changed and i was told engineering might be a better road to go down when it comes to getting a job.
After 2 years i got my Cert but Carlow had not received their part 145 approval which meant my Cert wouldnt get me a job in Macdonalds nevermind a job as an avionics technician. I hung around for a year and decided if i was going to do it right i'd have to start again. I started in Perth Scotland at Air Service Training. This was expensive however i am just finished my course and work placement and i'm looking for a job back in Ireland. The Bank Man may have my balls in a vice to the tune of 20,000 yo yo's but i feel i made the right decision.
I would check if the Carlow Course is recognised if i were you, they shafted me good and proper. As for life as an Avionics Technician, i've really enjoyed my work placement. Working on Embraer 145's at BMI Aberdeen. The work is very interesting and if you have an interest in planes and electronics then you'll find it an enjoyable career.
Hope this helps you out, even a little.
Regards.
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irish whale, becoming a certifyer might not be a good run up to pilot training, it will take you a long time to tick all the boxes to hold a licence, then you are still only a fully qualified but inexperienced engineer, i think that coming up to speed whilst banging away at a pilots licence on the side will be stressful to say the least (wallet and brain). how about being a mech as your job and doing your licence the incremental way? i know several people who are doing this and if you can get a job with an airline perhaps? you may make a few handy connections. . . . it is a big task becoming a fully booted and spurred engineer and i wouldn't recommend going through all that as a stepping stone. 
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carlow course
Im in my leaving cert this year and want to be a helicopter pilot!I have put down the 2 carlow courses on my cao the aircraft systems and the avionics is it still the right path to go if i wont get my proper license.I want to get a degree and then pursue my career in being a helicopter pilot in either england or america.So does any one know if the carlow course is worth doing?????
Thanks kevoiddy
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Thanks kevoiddy
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now we are all in the right font does anyone have a constructive answer to the question are the Carlow 2 or 3 year courses helpful in being an aircraft engineer?? The College does now have Part 147 Certiificate. Clearly there is a view that apprenticeships may be better?