A portmanteau of aviation and electronics, this category covers all electrical systems used in flight. It includes communications, navigation, display systems, flight control computers, and weather radar. Technicians treat these systems as a distinct discipline from airframe and powerplant maintenance because they require specialized diagnostic equipment and wiring expertise.
Heard on the job
The avionics bay gets too hot on the ramp, so leave the cooling fan running while we troubleshoot the transponder.
Insider tip
Pilots often judge an aircraft's age not by the airframe, but by the generation of avionics installed in the panel.
Also heard as
- Avionic