Avionics, also known as aircraft electronics, is a rapidly changing industry in the face of technological advances, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and massive Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity.
There are two primary certifications in this field – power-plant mechanics and airframe mechanics. While these certifications aren’t necessarily required, most aspiring mechanics and technicians obtain one or both of them.
Avionics are the electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft. Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to perform individual functions.
The typical location for avionic equipment is in the aircraft cockpit. This includes systems for:
· Control
· Monitoring
· Communication
· Navigation
· Weather
· Anti-collisions
Aircraft generally power their avionics using 14- or 28-volt DC electrical systems. More sophisticated aircraft use 400 Hz, 115 volts AC.
While generators are the main source of aircraft power, multiple supplemental sources on an aircraft are essential for redundancy. Consequently, aviation engineers have been developing a number of new technologies, including fuel cells, super capacitors and high-energy, high-power-density, lithium-ion battery systems.
This more modern approach focuses on total energy management. Instead of creating an oversized generator to provide occasional levels of peak power, the idea behind total energy management is about using multiple sources, such as a battery or backup capacitors in parallel, which can provide high energy over a short period of time.
This allows peak power demand to be satisfied while the generator handles normal loads. When the system is designed in this manner (so that peak power kicks in as needed), it is possible to reduce overall system size and weight while increasing efficiency.
Want to know more about avionics? Tonex offers seven Avionics Certification Training courses lasting from 2 to 4 days.
Tonex also offers close to 400 classes, seminars and workshop in nearly four dozen categories of systems engineering training.
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