Hi all I'm wondering if there is a avionics tradegroup in the U/S.
I understand that the european B1 licence is comparable to the A&P licence and the european B2 licence has no u/s counterpart.
I've been told by a A&P buddy of mine that in the U/S avionics workers are often working in a component shop rather than working hands on on the aircraft.
Can anyone tell me how the FAA deals with the avionics tradegroup in the U/S?

The FAA tries very hard with some degree of success to ignore avionics people.
There is no specific license and only a couple of wannabe certifying agencies.
Most companies will require an FCC General Radiotelephone license as evidence of avionics accumen but the FCC is primarily aimed at ground based and marine radio equipment and really has no relavence for an avionics or aircraft application.
Nuff said?
:-)

Hi Avioniker,

Does that mean that the A&P mech signs off the avionics job that a 'non-faa-licenced' avionics guy has done?
It seems wrong to have people from different tradegroups sign off your jobs doesn't it? On behalf of the A&P I mean. I wouldn't like to sign off jobs that are not in my tradeskills. (I never mind doing the job, but to sign em off I think one needs a full comprehension of it).

I've seen it done as you explain (Mech signing off work an avioincs guy does). 

As a rule of thumb this practice is not good for either party but as the A&P or IA if that is the case you end up taking liability for whatever work was accomplished not to mention the paperwork you're responsible for.

I specialize in avionics but am an A&P/IA.  Not only does the work have to be sound but as we all know the FAA, ...Paerwork makes airplanes fly.

Bill

So that means that the avionics guy is not licenced in the US if he doesn't have a A&P or IA?
There is no 'Avionics' licence in the US?

that's correct. 

unless, the "avionics guy" works for a repair station and is listed on the roster in the rsm.  An avionics tech is licensed through the repair station he/she works at.  When the employment is ended, so does the license at which point you have to re-apply at your new place of business.

Bill

Ok. My colleague was right on the mark there then.
How did u get into a avionics specialization avionicspro and why did u do that if all u need to sign off work is a A&P&IA?

After I got my A&P I spent a year doing general maintenance and didn't like getting me or my tools dirty everyday.  Yeah I know I can already hear the ridicule but this is a cool career field. 

I didn't want to do general maintenance and tossed up between turbine engine specialist and avionics specialist.  When opportunity came I chose Avionics and it was the best decision I ever made. 

When you want to be good at something you have to give it your all.  There is no half-ass way to do that, it's either all or nothing.  I'll be the first to tell you I don't know it all but I sure am willing to learn.

As for the question about my A&P/IA, every certification you can get and all the experience you can gather is worth $$.  People will pay when your reputation is good and the quality of the work you do is as well.

Bill

A&P = Airframe & Powerplant.

Airframe = Sheetmetal, composites, hydraulics, pneumatics, flight controls, landing gear, electrical,etc. including AVIONICS.

Avionics is part of the A&P.  Always has been.

Would a separate license be a good idea? Perhaps.

Is it a neccessity?  No.

I have worked for an airline, several Part 145 repair stations and a few small shops.  90% + of the avionic techs or R&Es that worked on the aircraft were A&Ps.  Most of the unlicensed techs worked in the back shops.  The are unlicensed because they lack the broad knowledge and skills that an A&P has.

Ok, I think I understand, avionics is part of the basic A&P training and therefore the A&P is licenced to sign off all jobs on the aircraft.
In europe we have a few 'multiskilled' licenced people who are licenced to sign of both the B-1 (mechanical) jobs and the B-2 (avionics) jobs but there still aren't a lot of them around.

I think the european way is going to be similar to the US system soon. Tradegroups are beginning to dissapear here and avionics sign off privileges are getting less and less.

I want to get a B-1 training myself altough I could never claim to be fully B-1 (or A&P for that matter) because for that I would have to work full time in that trade for many years and I don't think my boss will let me do that.