Research Avionics Training Programs

Choosing the right training program is the most consequential decision you will make early in your avionics career. The wrong program costs you tens of thousands of dollars and months of your life without giving you the skills employers actually want. The right program puts you in front of real avionics equipment, earns you industry-recognized credentials, and connects you with employers who are actively hiring. This guide breaks down every type of avionics training program available, what each one costs, and how to evaluate which path is best for your situation.

Understanding Your Training Options

There is no single “avionics technician license” issued by the FAA the way there is for airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanics. Instead, avionics technicians typically combine several credentials: an FAA A&P certificate (which includes avionics-relevant training), an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), and often the NCATT AET certification. The training program you choose should prepare you for at least two of these, and the best programs prepare you for all three.

Here are the main paths:

FAA Part 147 Schools with Avionics Emphasis

FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools are the primary pipeline for aircraft maintenance professionals. These schools train you for the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate, and many offer an avionics specialization or concentration on top of the core A&P curriculum. Graduating with both an A&P and strong avionics skills makes you exceptionally employable.

Top Part 147 Schools with Avionics Programs

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — Tulsa, OK and Inland Empire, CA

Offers an Aviation Electronics Technology associate degree and a Nondestructive Testing program alongside A&P training
Avionics-specific coursework covers communication systems, navigation systems, radar, and digital electronics
Program length: 20 months for the associate degree
Tuition: approximately $32,000 to $40,000 depending on program
Strong employer relationships with airlines and MROs in the Tulsa aviation corridor
Website: spartan.edu

Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) — 14 campuses nationwide

A&P certification program with elective avionics modules at select campuses
Some locations offer a combined A&P and avionics track
Program length: 21 months for the combination program
Tuition: approximately $28,000 to $35,000
AIM has one of the largest campus networks, so there is likely one near you
Website: aviationmaintenance.edu

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) — Pittsburgh, PA; Hagerstown, MD; Myrtle Beach, SC; Youngstown, OH

Aviation Electronics Technology program alongside A&P certification
Known for excellent hands-on training with modern avionics equipment
Program length: approximately 21 months for the combined program
Tuition: approximately $28,000 to $33,000
PIA has a 90%+ job placement rate and strong connections with regional airlines
Website: pia.edu

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — Daytona Beach, FL and Prescott, AZ

Offers a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance with avionics coursework
The four-year degree path is more expensive but opens doors to engineering and management roles
Tuition: approximately $40,000 to $44,000 per year (financial aid available)
Best for students who want to combine hands-on avionics work with a four-year degree
Website: erau.edu

National Aviation Academy — Clearwater, FL and New England (Bedford, MA)

A&P program with avionics system training integrated into the curriculum
Program length: 14 months (one of the faster programs)
Tuition: approximately $24,000 to $30,000
Website: naa.edu

How to Find Part 147 Schools Near You

The FAA maintains an official list of approved Part 147 schools. Search the FAA Part 147 school directory or contact your local FSDO (Flight Standards District Office) for schools in your area. There are approximately 170 Part 147 schools across the United States.

Dedicated Avionics Programs

Some schools offer programs specifically focused on avionics rather than general A&P maintenance. These are a strong choice if you already know avionics is your target specialty.

NCATT (National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies) partners with several schools to offer avionics-specific curricula aligned with the AET (Aviation Electronics Technician) certification. Schools in the NCATT network include community colleges and technical schools that may not be FAA Part 147 certified but offer focused electronics and avionics training.

Learn more about NCATT-aligned programs at ncatt.org.

Baker College — Owosso, MI

Avionics Electronics Technology associate degree
Focuses specifically on avionics systems, troubleshooting, and digital electronics
Integrates NCATT AET preparation into the curriculum

Fox Valley Technical College — Appleton, WI

Aircraft Electronics technical diploma
One of the few programs focused entirely on avionics at the community college level
Tuition: under $10,000 for Wisconsin residents (one of the most affordable options available)

Community College Electronics Programs

If there is no dedicated avionics program near you, a community college electronics technology or electrical engineering technology program is an excellent alternative. These programs typically cost $5,000 to $15,000 for an associate degree (far less than proprietary schools) and cover the same fundamental electronics theory that avionics work demands.

What to Look For

A strong community college program for aspiring avionics technicians should include:

DC and AC circuit analysis
Semiconductor devices and circuits
Digital electronics and logic
Microprocessors and embedded systems
Electronic communications (radio frequency theory, modulation, antennas)
Soldering and PCB fabrication (hands-on lab work is essential)
Test equipment proficiency (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators)

After completing a two-year electronics program, you can transition into avionics through an employer’s on-the-job training program, a short bridge course, or military service. Many airlines and MROs hire electronics graduates and train them in aviation-specific applications.

Cost Comparison

Program Type	Typical Cost	Duration	Credentials
Part 147 school (A&P + avionics)	$24,000 - $40,000	14 - 24 months	A&P certificate + avionics skills
Dedicated avionics program	$10,000 - $30,000	12 - 24 months	Associate degree + NCATT AET prep
Community college electronics	$5,000 - $15,000	24 months	Associate degree in electronics
Embry-Riddle (4-year degree)	$160,000 - $180,000	4 years	BS + A&P certificate

The NCATT AET Certification

The National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies offers the Aviation Electronics Technician (AET) certification, which is the closest thing to a standardized avionics credential in the industry. It is not required by the FAA, but it is recognized by employers as proof that you understand avionics systems at a professional level.

What the AET Covers

The AET exam tests your knowledge across these domains:

Basic electronics (DC/AC theory, semiconductors, digital logic)
Avionics systems (communication, navigation, flight instruments, autopilot)
Avionics installation practices (wiring, connectors, shielding, bonding)
Troubleshooting methodology
Regulations and documentation (FCC, FAA, manufacturer standards)

How to Prepare

Study the NCATT AET Study Guide, available at ncatt.org
Many Part 147 schools integrate AET preparation into their avionics curriculum
Self-study is possible if you have a strong electronics background

Exam Details

Cost: approximately $150 to $200
Format: computer-based, multiple choice
Passing score: 70%
Validity: must be renewed every two years through continuing education

The AET certification is a strong resume differentiator, especially for entry-level candidates competing against more experienced applicants.

What to Look For in Any Program

Regardless of which type of program you choose, evaluate it against these criteria:

Hands-On Training Hours

A program that is mostly classroom lectures will not prepare you for the bench. Look for programs where at least 50% of the training is hands-on lab work. You should be soldering, troubleshooting real avionics units, using oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers, and working with actual aircraft wiring harnesses.

Ask the school: “How many hours of hands-on lab time does the program include?” If they cannot give you a specific number, that is a red flag.

Equipment and Facilities

Visit the school in person if at all possible. Walk through the labs and hangars. Look for:

Modern avionics test equipment (Aeroflex/Viavi, Barfield, or IFR test sets)
Real aircraft or avionics mock-up panels for installation practice
Garmin, Collins, Honeywell, or other current avionics units for bench work
Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and TDR (time domain reflectometer) equipment

If the school is training you on equipment from the 1980s and has no modern glass cockpit trainers, you will be behind on day one of your career.

Job Placement Rate and Employer Connections

Ask the school: “What is your job placement rate within six months of graduation?” and “Which employers recruit directly from your program?”

The best schools have formal partnerships with airlines, MROs, and avionics shops. They hold career fairs, invite employers to campus, and connect graduates with job opportunities. A school with a 90%+ placement rate in aviation-related jobs is doing something right.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

All accredited programs accept federal financial aid (Pell Grants, federal student loans). Some schools also offer institutional scholarships, and external scholarships are available:

Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) scholarships — multiple awards specifically for avionics students. Apply at aea.net/educationfoundation
ATEC (Aviation Technician Education Council) scholarships — for students at ATEC member schools
Women in Aviation International — scholarships for women pursuing aviation maintenance and avionics careers at wai.org

Accreditation

Make sure the school is accredited by a recognized accrediting body (ACCSC, regional accreditation, or similar). Accreditation matters for financial aid eligibility and for the credibility of your credential. For Part 147 schools, FAA approval is the primary credential — but institutional accreditation is important too.

Building Your Evaluation Checklist

Before you commit to any program, get answers to these questions:

What credentials will I earn? (A&P certificate, AET certification prep, FCC GROL prep, associate degree)
What is the total cost, including tools, books, and fees? (Get it in writing.)
What percentage of training is hands-on lab work?
What avionics equipment does the school have? (Visit in person.)
What is the job placement rate within six months of graduation?
Which employers recruit from this school?
Does the program include FCC GROL exam preparation?
Is federal financial aid available?
Are there evening or weekend schedules? (Important if you are working while training.)
Can I talk to current students or recent graduates? (If the school discourages this, walk away.)

Timing and Planning

Most Part 147 and dedicated avionics programs have rolling admissions or start new cohorts every few months. However, the best programs fill up, and financial aid applications take time. Here is a realistic timeline:

12 months before you want to start: Begin researching programs. Visit campuses. Request information packages.
9 months before: File your FAFSA (opens October 1 each year for the following academic year). Apply for AEA and other scholarships.
6 months before: Apply to your top two or three programs. Complete any entrance requirements (placement tests, interviews, background checks).
3 months before: Confirm enrollment, arrange housing if needed, and order any required tools.
In the meantime: Work through the electronics fundamentals from Step 1. Every hour of self-study now reduces the difficulty of your program later.

What to Do Next

This week: Use the FAA Part 147 school directory to identify every program within reasonable distance of where you live or are willing to relocate.
This month: Contact at least three schools and request information. Schedule campus visits for your top choices.
Within three months: Complete campus visits, compare programs using the evaluation checklist above, and apply for financial aid.
Before enrollment: Earn your FCC GROL (see Step 3) and work through as much electronics self-study as possible. Walking into day one with your GROL already in hand tells your instructors and future employers that you are serious.

The right training program is out there. Your job is to find it, evaluate it honestly, and show up prepared to get everything out of it.