I loaned my 30-yr-old (but still functional) headsets to a teen who was getting started with the Civil Air Patrol. Her interest waned and she ended up storing them in her attic for several years before returning them. The cables and foam were completely destroyed by the heat in the attic. Are there any repair options?

Hi i am attending part 147 school and self-studying for GROL exam now. I just want to know, besides GROL, whatelse a new A&P without job experience could practically do to get 1st A&P job in avionics landed after graduation/newly licensed? Any special training, other certificate exam, even paid program, etc. ? (I know without job experience everything is hard, that's why I'm asking) thanks.

Or What you could do when still in school to make your future employer want to put you in their avionics training/intern position inside that company?

Hello, im sure you guys see this often, but I was wondering what kind of hours this job typically entails? I would say I dont plan to work at an airline. I was looking into A&P but after some research it basically seems like ill work 60 hours a week, overnight, and probably get divorced. Kinda just wondering if this is similar or if avionics techs is a more laid back route? Im obviously okay with putting in my time, 40-45/week, but work life balance is important to me. If it helps, kinda been seeing Textron putting out avionics positions, so maybe a job similar to that if yall have experience with them. Thank you!

So I got into the school but classes are full for the next two semesters. I was already interested in adding avionics to my A&P license but there is also a two semester wait for avionics classes. Would I be able to just take a GROL prep course to obtain my FCC license and another course for the AET certification? Or would employers like to see formal schooling? I am going to remain on the waitlist in the mean time because it is the most affordable FAA accredited school in my area, hence the high demand and I still plan on getting my A&P asap. But until I can get on the schedule, would those two courses be enough to get me in the door as an avionics technician? Also are there any other certifications I should obtain? Looking for tips on job marketability. 🙏

Hey guys, I’m looking for a mobile avionics guy who can finish a project on my plane. I have a hangar in Southern California. Please DM me for more information about aircraft type, hangar location, and scope of work. Will pay your rate, have all the Coke Zero in the hangar fridge, and all the free licks from my dog. I specifically need someone who has worked with Aspen EFD’s before. It has to be a mobile guy because the airplane is out of annual. I’ll deal with the annual later.

My airplane (1973 PA-28-180) has a very early version of the Garmin GNS 430W. Since the beginning of May, there has been 3 days when the radio cannot transmit. The "Tx" lights up, but I get an error message that reads "COM transmitter power has been reduced". The next day, the GNS is completely fine and will work without issue.

The GNS was removed and bench checked, and it worked fine. I had someone inspect the antenna and coaxial cables, but they didn't find any issues.

I believe this is an older version GNS that required a voltage converter to go from 12V to 28V. The model is Ameri-King AK-550-6 power converter 550-91.

Do voltage converters fail? Is there an equivalent replacement for what I have? It looks like the one I currently have is not available.

Any other ideas as to why it will only transmit intermittently?

Hi everyone, I’m working on an avionics project where I need to establish a communication link between a ground station (DAQ + command system) and a Launchpad Controller (LPC) connected to the rocket flight controller. (LPC side have RFD900x but need wired communication)

Requirements:

• Communication distance: ~100 meters
• Must support data transfer + power delivery
• Needs to be robust and noise‑immune (avionics environment)
• Looking for suitable protocols/standards (e.g., RS‑422, MIL‑STD‑1553, Ethernet, etc.)
• Recommendations for connectors/cabling that are rugged and reliable for aerospace use

I’d appreciate suggestions on:

• Which communication protocol is best suited for this setup
• What connectors/cables are commonly used in aerospace for 100m wired links
• How to handle power delivery alongside data (combined or separate lines)

Thanks in advance for your insights!

Avionics Experts,

I’ve got a question about a dual radio setup and I’m out of my depth trying to create a solution in my RV-8. I’m hoping one of you can point me in the right direction.

I fly a lot of formation in my RV and I’m acquainted with and used to modern military aircraft with multiple radios. (I’ve been a USAF WSO for 15 years.) Military aircraft often have at least two radios that are always monitored and a single three-way PTT switch. Pushing one direction transmits on COMM1, pushing the other transmits on COMM2. This is far more convenient in formation than a typical GA audio panel that only allows transmission on one radio and requires one to select that radio via the audio panel. I want two radios I can listen to at all times (I can discriminate by volume), and transmit on without selecting which one via a TX button. I just want to push its respective PTT and transmit.

So I want to put a system like this in my RV-8. How does one pull this off? I’m looking to use 2 Trig TY-91s (one of which will be the intercom) and a MOM-OFF-MOM switch on my throttle. I do not have room on the panel for an audio panel and I don’t want one anyway. Is a relay necessary? Do I need a mixer to combine the audio? How would you wire a project like this?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Can't seem to find an answer

We recently bought a Piper Cherokee 140 for my son to fly as he banks hours. We've had the plane for about 3-4 weeks and it has been flown probably 10 times.

Last week he took off like normal with my other son as a passenger. All of the comms were working fine until about 5-10 seconds after takeoff when suddenly there was incredibly strong static in both headsets. He could barely hear the tower well enough to circle back around and land. I went up with him a few days later to see if it was a one-time fluke and the exact same thing happened. Here's the basic details of what happens:

• Happens when the plane gets about 75-100 feet in the air.
• It happens suddenly.
• It doesn't increase or decrease with more or less power.
• It happens to both Comm1 and Comm2
• It is the same in both headsets.
• As soon as we drop below 75ft during landing, the static completely disappears and everything is back to normal.

We stopped by an aircraft repair shop at the air field and the head mechanic said that he had never heard of that in his 20+ years on the job.

Any ideas?

(Sorry if I used the wrong words for things, I'm not a pilot)

Hello Fellow Aviators:

I updated the panel on my plane from a GNS-430W, GTX-345 and FlightStream 210 to a G3X, GTN750Txi, GTX-345, G5, and FlightStream 210.

With the previous panel I could send flight plans to and from the panel and I received the FiS-B weather on my iPad running ForeFlight.

The installing dealer has not been able to replicate this connectivity despite several attempts. I have received traffic and weather shown on my iPad, but never been able to send flight plans to and from the panel.

Currently, they have removed my FlightStream 210 and are using the G3X Bluetooth function. Now I can send and receive flight plans to and from the panel. However, now I am not receiving any FiS-B data on the iPad (no weather or traffic). The Connext button on the GTN750 is now grayed out (before they removed the FS210 it was not).

What is the correct solution here? I spoke with Garmin at Sun-N-Fun. They said this is a software issue not a hardware problem.

P.S. This post is not intended as a criticism of my installing dealer. They have been very responsive and never “blown me off”.

Anyone who knows avionics, knows about the shortage of avionics technicians. The G.A. avionic shops have a tough time holding onto good technicians.