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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Instrument Technician

💰 $60,000 - $105,000

AviationMaintenanceAvionicsAircraft Instrumentation

🎯 Role Definition

A Jet Instrument Technician is a specialized avionics professional responsible for inspecting, troubleshooting, repairing, calibrating and certifying flight instruments and aircraft instrumentation systems on jet aircraft. This role ensures instrument systems meet airworthiness standards, regulatory requirements (FAA/EASA), and operator reliability expectations. Typical work includes bench repairs, line and base maintenance, installation of avionics and sensors, pitot-static testing, functional checks of EFIS/ADIRU systems, and meticulous documentation of maintenance actions.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Avionics Technician Level I / Junior Avionics Technician
  • Aircraft Maintenance Technician (A&P) with avionics exposure
  • Instrument Technician Apprentice or Technical School Graduate (Avionics/Electronics)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Jet Instrument Technician / Lead Instrument Technician
  • Avionics Supervisor / Maintenance Control Specialist
  • Avionics Engineer or Certification Engineer
  • Maintenance Manager / Base Maintenance Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic
  • Systems Integration or Test Equipment Technician
  • Flight Test Instrumentation Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform detailed inspections, troubleshooting, and functional checks of cockpit flight instruments (altimeters, airspeed indicators, attitude indicators, heading indicators, and gyro systems) on narrowbody and widebody jet aircraft, diagnosing root causes and documenting defect logs for corrective action.
  • Calibrate, adjust, and certify pitot-static systems, altimeters, static ports and related plumbing using certified test equipment and following approved procedures to ensure accurate air data outputs and compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Disassemble, repair, replace components, and reassemble electromechanical and electronic instrument units at the bench and in-situ, including gyroscopes, rate-of-turn indicators, magnetic compasses, and servo systems, ensuring OEM tolerances and performance specifications are met.
  • Install, align, and test integrated flight instrument systems (EFIS, PFD, ND, ADI) and associated sensors (ADIRU, AHRS, air data computers), integrating wiring harnesses and conducting post-installation operational checks to confirm system integrity.
  • Troubleshoot avionics wiring and connectors using wiring schematics, IPCs and maintenance manuals to isolate intermittent faults, short circuits, open circuits, and connector degradation affecting instrument performance.
  • Execute avionics and instrument system upgrades, modifications, and service bulletin compliance tasks, performing pre- and post-modification flight instrument functional tests and providing detailed compliance sign-off.
  • Perform bench-level repair, alignment, and function testing of components such as attitude gyros, direction gyros, and autopilot servos using ATEs, oscilloscopes, multimeters and other specialized avionics test equipment.
  • Carry out transponder, altimeter and encoder inspections and tests per FAA/EASA maintenance requirements and ensure proper mode C/S operation and altitude reporting during system verification.
  • Complete and maintain accurate technical records, logbooks and digital records in maintenance tracking systems (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, CAMP), including sign-offs, MEL deferrals, SDRs and component maintenance history in accordance with Part 145/Part 43 requirements.
  • Conduct preventive maintenance and scheduled inspections of instrument and avionics bays, harness routing, EMI/EMC shielding and mounting hardware to reduce in-service failures and ensure compliance with airworthiness directives.
  • Use avionics test sets (pitot-static test set, VOR test set, spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, multimeter) to perform signal integrity tests, frequency checks and output verification for navigation and flight instrument systems.
  • Support troubleshooting of integrated systems involving navigation (VOR/ILS/ILS receivers), weather radar sensors, TCAS inputs to instruments and autopilot coupling, liaising with systems engineers for complex cross-system faults.
  • Prepare turn-key instrument replacements and perform line-replaceable unit (LRU) swaps on ground and during line operations, performing immediate functional tests and returning the aircraft to service with minimal downtime.
  • Ensure compliance with safety, human factors, and tool control protocols while performing maintenance around avionics bays and flight decks, maintaining ESD-safe procedures and controlled access to sensitive instrumentation.
  • Coordinate with procurement and stores to order, receive, and track instrument components and calibration services, validating shelf life, serial numbers and traceability for critical avionics parts.
  • Perform ground checks and coordinate with flight crews to conduct flight instrument checks and in-flight validations when required, collecting data and reporting anomalies to maintenance control.
  • Execute software loading, configuration and verification for avionics line-replaceable units, ensuring correct software versions, databases (navigation databases), and configuration records are maintained.
  • Provide technical guidance and on-the-job training to junior instrument technicians and apprentices on troubleshooting methodology, instrument test procedures, and safe handling of avionics equipment.
  • Participate in root cause analysis, reliability programs and failure trend investigations, compiling maintenance data, suggesting design or procedural improvements and implementing corrective actions to improve fleet reliability.
  • Support shop-level certification of repaired instrument units, coordinate with approved repair stations and vendors for out-of-scope repairs, and follow up on warranty and supplier quality actions.
  • Maintain calibration schedules and ensure all test equipment used for instrument verification is calibrated and traceable to national standards, managing calibration records and submitting equipment for recalibration as needed.
  • Execute aircraft de-icing, sensor conditioning, and environment-specific checks to ensure instrument performance under varied operational conditions and climates.
  • Participate in emergency and on-call maintenance rotations to provide timely instrumentation support for aircraft recovery and minimize AOG events.
  • Review and implement Service Bulletin and Airworthiness Directive (AD) compliance for instrument systems, ensuring all regulatory mandated changes are executed and documented.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide timely technical status updates to Maintenance Control, Production Planners and Flight Operations to support on-time departures and minimize AOG impact.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives by proposing efficiency gains for instrument maintenance workflows and tool/equipment utilization.
  • Assist with inventory control for instrument spares, LRUs, and consumables and support periodic stock audits.
  • Contribute to the development and revision of standard operating procedures (SOPs), work cards and troubleshooting guides related to jet avionics and instrumentation.
  • Mentor junior staff and lead short training sessions on new equipment, test procedures or regulatory changes affecting instrument maintenance.
  • Coordinate with quality assurance and regulatory auditors during inspections, demonstrating compliance with maintenance records, tooling calibration, and repair processes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient troubleshooting and fault isolation of aircraft flight instrument systems (altimeters, ASIs, ADI, HSI, gyro systems) using schematics, wiring diagrams and OEM maintenance manuals.
  • Certified experience with pitot-static test sets, barometric altimeter test procedures, and static system troubleshooting to validate air data accuracy.
  • Hands-on experience with avionics test equipment: multimeter, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, signal generators, ATEs and LRU test benches.
  • Knowledge of EFIS, ADIRU/AHRS, air data computers, autopilot interfaces, and the integration points between navigation sensors and flight instruments.
  • Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and maintenance practices (FAA A&P, FAR Part 43/145, EASA Part-66/145) and ability to complete required regulatory sign-offs.
  • Proven ability to perform bench-level repairs, alignments and functional tests on electromechanical instrument units and LRU components.
  • Experience with avionics software loading, database updates and configuration management for instrument LRUs.
  • Competent with maintenance tracking and documentation systems (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, CAMP, CHR/CMMS) and electronic records management.
  • Skilled in connector repair, harness routing, soldering to aerospace standards, and maintaining EMI/EMC compliance in instrument installations.
  • Ability to read and implement Service Bulletins, Airworthiness Directives and OEM service instructions related to instruments and avionics.
  • Experience with test equipment calibration practices and managing calibration traceability for avionics test gear.
  • Familiar with transponder, TCAS interfaces and maintenance checks that affect instrument-derived flight information.
  • Strong knowledge of human factors, ESD protocols and safety practices specific to flight deck and avionic bay work.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent analytical and methodical problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills for clear defect reporting, handover notes and interaction with flight crews and engineers.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance scheduled maintenance, AOGs and depot repairs.
  • Team player with ability to collaborate across maintenance, engineering, procurement and quality assurance teams.
  • Customer-focused mindset oriented to minimizing aircraft downtime and supporting flight operations.
  • Adaptability to changing priorities, new avionics technologies and regulatory updates.
  • Coaching and mentoring aptitude to train junior technicians and share best practices.
  • High level of integrity and accountability when performing regulatory sign-offs and record-keeping.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED with technical coursework in electronics, avionics or instrumentation. FAA A&P license or equivalent is highly desirable.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree in Avionics, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, or related field.
  • EASA Part-66 Category B1/B2 or FAA A&P license and factory/OEM avionics training certificates.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Avionics / Aircraft Electronics
  • Aircraft Maintenance Technology / Airframe & Powerplant
  • Electronics Engineering Technology
  • Instrumentation and Control Systems

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8 years of progressive avionics/instrument maintenance experience on jet aircraft (regional, narrowbody, widebody, business jets).

Preferred:

  • 5+ years experience specifically troubleshooting and repairing jet aircraft flight instruments and pitot-static systems.
  • Demonstrated experience with maintenance tracking systems (AMOS/TRAX), regulatory compliance (FAA/EASA), and shop-level bench repair of instrument LRUs.
  • Prior experience in a Part-145 repair station, airline base maintenance, or OEM service center is highly valued.
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