Avionics Line Maintenance Fundamentals Lab

Course Description

AMT1261L — Avionics Line Maintenance Fundamentals Lab is the laboratory companion to AMT1261 (Avionics Line Maintenance Fundamentals lecture). It provides hands-on practice in aircraft-level avionics troubleshooting, removal and replacement of Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), functional testing after avionics work, and documentation per FAA regulations — all performed in a supervised laboratory or training-aircraft environment that simulates real line-maintenance conditions.

This lab is offered at Broward College Aviation Institute and other Florida college-credit avionics programs that pair the AMT1261 lecture with this lab section. Students are typically required to enroll concurrently or sequentially in both AMT1261 and AMT1261L to satisfy the avionics line-maintenance learning objectives.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of AMT1261L, students will be able to:

• Perform aircraft-level troubleshooting using built-in test equipment (BITE), maintenance computers, and central maintenance systems on training aircraft.
• Perform removal and replacement of common avionics LRUs: navigation receivers (VHF NAV, ILS), communication transceivers (VHF COM), transponders, ADS-B units, and basic flight instruments.
• Conduct functional testing after LRU replacement: VOR receiver checks per 14 CFR 91.171; transponder testing per 14 CFR 91.413; ADS-B performance verification.
• Apply connector and wiring proper-handling techniques: military-style connector mating/unmating; ESD-safe procedures; cable-clamp and routing inspection.
• Apply safe ramp practices in laboratory simulations: aircraft ground-power; engine-off conditions; tool accountability and FOD prevention.
• Document maintenance work in simulated aircraft logbook entries per 14 CFR 43.9 with proper "return-to-service" signoff format.
• Apply Minimum Equipment List (MEL) deferral procedures in laboratory scenarios.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply avionics test equipment hands-on: communications service monitor; VOR/ILS test set; transponder/Mode-S test set; GPS test set.
• Use airline maintenance computer systems for representative aircraft training scenarios.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Lab Safety: Aircraft battery ground-power; capacitor discharge; ESD wrist-strap and mat use; tool inventory pre/post-task.
• BITE and Maintenance Computer Operation: Hands-on access to maintenance terminals; fault-history extraction; correlation of cockpit indications with maintenance messages.
• LRU Removal and Replacement Practice: Standard avionics rack mounting; ARINC 600/600A/404 connectors; static-discharge precautions; serviceable/unserviceable tagging per ATA Spec 2000.
• Functional Testing: VOR receiver test (VOT signal or operational); ILS check; transponder test (Mode A/C/S/ADS-B); pitot-static check awareness.
• Wiring and Connectors: MIL-style connector mating/unmating; pin/socket inspection; backshell handling; inspection per AC 43.13-1B Chapter 11.
• Documentation: 14 CFR 43.9 logbook entries; squawk-and-corrective-action format; return-to-service signoffs.
• MEL Application: Deferral category recognition; placarding; time-limited deferral tracking.
• Tool Control and FOD: Pre-task and post-task tool inventory; FOD prevention discipline.

Optional Topics

• Avionics Test Equipment Hands-On: IFR/Aeroflex 1500/2975, Viavi 8800-series service monitors; transponder test set use.
• Maintenance Computer Use: Specific airline or training-aircraft maintenance terminal scenarios.

Resources & Tools

• Training aircraft or avionics-bay simulators with active LRU connections
• Communications service monitor; VOR/ILS test set; transponder/Mode-S test set
• Aircraft maintenance manuals (AMM) and Fault Isolation Manuals (FIM) for training aircraft
• 14 CFR Parts 43, 91; FAA AC 43.13-1B
• Standard avionics technician hand tools (insulated, ESD-safe)

Career Pathways

This lab provides the practical hands-on experience needed for entry-level avionics line-maintenance roles. The course pairs with AMT1261 lecture, and together they prepare students for line technician roles at Florida airline hubs, FBO avionics shops, and corporate flight departments. Specific employers include American Airlines (Miami), Delta (Orlando, Tampa), JetBlue (Fort Lauderdale), Spirit (FLL HQ), and Southwest (Tampa) airline maintenance bases, plus FAA Part 145 avionics repair stations and major Florida FBO networks (Signature, Atlantic, Sheltair).

Special Information

Co-requisite

AMT1261L is typically co-required with the lecture course AMT1261 (Avionics Line Maintenance Fundamentals). Students must enroll in or have credit for the lecture. Combined enrollment provides the full 4-credit lecture-and-lab experience.

Course Format

Typically 1 credit, 30 contact hours — one 2-3 hour lab session per week for 14–15 weeks. Some institutions structure as 1 credit / 45 hours with 3-hour weekly sessions.

Industry Certification Path

Combined with AMT1261, this course supports preparation for the NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certification.