Basic Electronics Wiring Installer/Technician

Course Description

AVS0680 — Basic Electronics Wiring Installer/Technician is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course that introduces students to the fundamental electronics, soldering, and wiring competencies required for entry into the avionics and aircraft electrical-systems career pathway. As a PSAV course, it carries 0 college credits — clock hours are the unit of measurement, and successful completion is documented on the student's official PSAV transcript.

The course is aligned to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Avionics Systems Technician framework (Program T400310), a 1,200-clock-hour PSAV program preparing students for entry-level employment as avionics, electrical, and electronic technicians in aircraft repair stations, fixed-base operators, manufacturing facilities, and military aviation maintenance organizations. AVS0680 represents the entry-level Occupational Completion Point (OCP-A) of this framework, covering soldering and basic laboratory practices, employability skills, direct-current (DC) and alternating-current (AC) circuit fundamentals, wire identification and termination, harness fabrication, and basic aircraft electrical-system orientation.

The course is offered at FLDOE-recognized Florida technical colleges including George T. Baker Aviation Technical College (Miami-Dade County Public Schools), Atlantic Technical College (Broward County), Pinellas Technical College, and other Florida technical and adult-education centers operating the Avionics Systems Technician program. Course length within the 1,200-hour program varies by institution; common OCP-A lengths range from approximately 200 to 450 clock hours depending on how the institution sequences the framework standards. Successful completion of AVS0680 prepares students for continuation into the subsequent OCPs of the Avionics Systems Technician framework, covering solid-state devices, digital circuits, microprocessors, analog circuits, radio repair stations, and aircraft electrical systems.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Apply shop and electronic-laboratory safety practices, including OSHA general industry standards (29 CFR 1910), recognition of electrical shock hazards, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and proper handling of hot soldering equipment.
• Demonstrate proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, ESD wrist straps, appropriate clothing, and closed-toe footwear.
• Apply foundational direct-current (DC) circuit principles, including Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Voltage and Current Laws, series and parallel resistance calculations, and elementary circuit analysis.
• Apply foundational alternating-current (AC) circuit principles, including sinusoidal waveform characteristics (peak, peak-to-peak, RMS, frequency, period), capacitive and inductive reactance, and basic impedance concepts.
• Use standard electronic test equipment, including digital multimeters (DMMs), oscilloscopes, function generators, and DC power supplies, to make voltage, current, resistance, and frequency measurements.
• Identify and characterize basic electronic components, including resistors (color code reading), capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, and transformers; identify the function and rating of each.
• Identify aircraft wire types and gauges in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular AC 43.13-1B (Aircraft Inspection, Repair and Alterations) and MIL-W-22759 / SAE AS22759 specifications; select appropriate wire for given applications.
• Demonstrate wire stripping, crimping, and termination using approved tools and procedures for ring terminals, spade terminals, butt splices, and pin/socket contacts.
• Demonstrate aerospace-grade soldering in accordance with NASA-STD-8739.3 or IPC J-STD-001 (or equivalent FAA-accepted soldering standard), including proper iron temperature, solder selection, joint inspection, and rework.
• Fabricate wire harnesses and cable bundles, including proper bundle layout, lacing or tying, support, separation of high- and low-voltage circuits, shield termination, and coaxial cable preparation.
• Read and interpret basic electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and pin-out tables commonly used in general aviation and commercial aircraft documentation.
• Demonstrate basic aircraft electrical-system orientation, including the role of batteries, generators, alternators, busses, circuit breakers, switches, and instrument panels in light aircraft.
• Demonstrate employability skills, including punctuality, professional communication, attention to detail, documentation accuracy, and adherence to written work instructions.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis and the time available within the course, students may also:

• Begin preparation for the FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), the federal credential required to maintain or repair FCC-licensed transmitters in aviation, marine, and international fixed public radio services.
• Begin preparation for the AEA Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) entry-level credential offered by the Aircraft Electronics Association.
• Begin preparation for the NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) credential, an industry-recognized standard developed by the National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies.
• Identify fiber-optic cable types and basic termination procedures used in modern avionics installations.
• Demonstrate basic antenna installation principles, including grounding, bonding, and shielding considerations relevant to aircraft installations.
• Identify composite-aircraft electrical bonding considerations relevant to modern carbon-fiber and fiberglass airframes.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Shop and Electronic Laboratory Safety — OSHA general industry standards; electrical shock hazards; electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection; soldering hazards; PPE requirements; chemical handling and Safety Data Sheets.
• Direct-Current (DC) Circuits — Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Voltage and Current Laws, series and parallel resistance, voltage and current dividers, basic circuit analysis with resistors, batteries, and switches.
• Alternating-Current (AC) Circuits — sinusoidal waveforms, peak/peak-to-peak/RMS values, frequency and period, capacitive and inductive reactance, basic impedance, and the use of phasors.
• Electronic Test Equipment — digital multimeters (DMMs), analog and digital oscilloscopes, function/signal generators, DC power supplies; setup, calibration awareness, and proper measurement procedures.
• Electronic Components — resistors (color code, tolerance, power rating), capacitors (electrolytic, ceramic, tantalum), inductors, diodes (rectifier, Zener, light-emitting), bipolar and field-effect transistors, transformers, fuses, and circuit breakers.
• Aircraft Wire Standards and Selection — FAA Advisory Circular AC 43.13-1B "Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices — Aircraft Inspection, Repair, and Alterations"; MIL-W-22759 / SAE AS22759 wire specifications; American Wire Gauge (AWG) sizing; voltage and current carrying capacity; insulation types.
• Wire Preparation and Termination — wire stripping (using approved strippers without nicking the conductor), crimping of ring terminals, spade terminals, butt splices, and pin/socket contacts using approved tools; proper crimp inspection.
• Aerospace Soldering — NASA-STD-8739.3 or IPC J-STD-001 standards; iron temperature control; selection of rosin-core solder (Sn63/Pb37 or appropriate lead-free alternatives); joint preparation, soldering technique, joint inspection, and rework procedures.
• Wire Harness and Cable Bundle Fabrication — bundle layout and routing, lacing and tying with waxed cord (per AC 43.13-1B), support and clamping, separation of power and signal circuits, shield termination, coaxial cable preparation and connector installation.
• Schematics, Wiring Diagrams, and Pin-Out Tables — symbology of common electrical and electronic schematic elements; reading aircraft wiring diagrams; interpreting connector pin-outs and signal-flow diagrams.
• Aircraft Electrical System Orientation — aircraft battery types and ratings; engine-driven generators and alternators; aircraft busses (main, essential, avionics); circuit protection (circuit breakers, fuses); cockpit switches and indicator lamps; basic instrument-panel layout.
• Employability Skills — workplace expectations, attention to detail, documentation accuracy, adherence to written work instructions, professional communication, and regulatory compliance culture in aviation maintenance.

Optional Topics

• FCC GROL Preparation — Element 1 (Basic Radio Law) and Element 3 (General Radiotelephone) examination content for the FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License.
• NCATT AET / AEA CAET Preparation — content alignment with the National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) credential and the Aircraft Electronics Association Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) credential.
• Fiber-Optic Cabling — fiber types (multimode and single-mode), termination procedures, and basic fiber-optic test equipment relevant to modern avionics.
• Antenna Installation Principles — antenna types in general aviation (VHF Comm, VOR/LOC, GPS, ADS-B); grounding, bonding, and shielding considerations.
• Composite-Aircraft Electrical Bonding — bonding and grounding considerations for carbon-fiber, fiberglass, and other composite airframes.
• Introduction to Aircraft Wiring CMM/IPL Documentation — Component Maintenance Manuals (CMM) and Illustrated Parts Lists (IPL) used in aviation maintenance.

Resources & Tools

• FLDOE Avionics Systems Technician Framework (T400310) — the official curriculum framework establishing the Occupational Completion Points and standards; available at fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu.
• FAA Advisory Circular AC 43.13-1B — "Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices — Aircraft Inspection, Repair, and Alterations," the foundational FAA reference for aircraft wiring practice.
• MIL-W-22759 / SAE AS22759 — military and SAE specifications for aerospace-grade electrical wire; the basis for wire selection in aviation applications.
• NASA-STD-8739.3 or IPC J-STD-001 — soldering standards for aerospace and military applications.
• FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) resources — element-1 and element-3 examination study guides; available through commercial publishers (Gordon West, ARRL) and online practice-test services.
• Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) — industry trade association (aea.net) offering training resources, the CAET credential, and ongoing professional development.
• National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies (NCATT) — administers the Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) industry credential.
• Soldering and Wiring Tools — temperature-controlled soldering stations (Weller, Pace, Hakko); approved crimping tools (AMP, AFM, Daniels DMC) with appropriate die sets; wire strippers (Ideal Stripmaster, Schleuniger); torque drivers for connector backshells.
• Test Equipment — digital multimeters (Fluke 87 V or equivalent), oscilloscopes (digital storage, ≥50 MHz), function generators, DC power supplies, milliohm meters for bonding measurements, megohmmeters for insulation resistance.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — safety glasses, ESD wrist strap and ESD-safe work surface, appropriate footwear, and the institutional uniform standard (typically navy or black work shirt and pants).

Career Pathways

AVS0680 is the entry course for Florida's avionics technician career pathway. Successful completion supports progression into:

• Continued Avionics Systems Technician PSAV Program — students continue through the FLDOE T400310 framework, advancing through the subsequent OCPs covering solid-state devices, digital circuits, microprocessors, analog circuits, radio repair stations, and aircraft electrical systems, totaling 1,200 clock hours.
• Avionics Technician / Aircraft Electronics Technician (SOC 49-2091) — entry-level positions at FAA Part 145 repair stations, fixed-base operators (FBOs), aircraft manufacturing facilities, and military aviation maintenance organizations. Florida wages for avionics technicians average approximately $58,910 annually (Florida statewide median, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
• Aerospace Industry — Florida Space Coast — Florida's Space Coast (Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center, Patrick Space Force Base, Cocoa Beach) hosts major aerospace employers including SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, and the United Launch Alliance, all of which employ avionics-trained technicians at varying levels.
• Aerospace Industry — Jacksonville and Pensacola — Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Air Station Pensacola support extensive Department of Defense aerospace maintenance, with civilian-contractor employment of avionics technicians at companies including Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and L3Harris.
• South Florida General Aviation Industry — South Florida (Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Opa-Locka Executive Airport, Miami-Opa Locka Executive, Boca Raton Airport) hosts a robust general-aviation, business-jet maintenance, and FAA Part 145 repair-station industry employing avionics technicians.
• Embraer Commercial and Executive Jets — Embraer maintains major U.S. operations in Florida (Melbourne and Jacksonville), supporting the production and worldwide service of business and regional jets.
• Articulation to Aviation A.S./A.A.S. Degrees — clock hours from PSAV avionics programs may articulate (subject to institutional articulation agreements) into aviation maintenance and aerospace technology A.S. degree programs at Florida public colleges and into the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach).
• Military Service in Aviation Electronics — direct entry into Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) including U.S. Navy AT (Aviation Electronics Technician), U.S. Air Force 2A5X3 (Avionics Test Station and Components), U.S. Marine Corps 6314 (Unmanned Aircraft Systems Avionics Technician), U.S. Army 15F (Aircraft Electrician).

Special Information

Program Type and Credit

AVS0680 is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course. PSAV courses do not carry college credit hours; credits=0 reflects this, with the real measurement being the clock hours of instructional time. The exact clock-hour count for AVS0680 varies by institution within the 1,200-hour FLDOE Avionics Systems Technician framework — common OCP-A lengths range from 200 to 450 hours depending on how the institution sequences the framework standards. The estimate of 300 hours used here is representative; students should consult the awarding institution's catalog for the exact clock-hour count applicable to their enrollment.

FLDOE Framework Alignment

This course is aligned to the FLDOE Avionics Systems Technician curriculum framework (Program Number T400310). The framework establishes a 1,200-hour PSAV program structured into Occupational Completion Points; AVS0680 represents the entry-level OCP covering soldering, basic electronics, wire termination, and harness fabrication. Course title, hour count, and exact content coverage may vary by institution; students should verify with the awarding institution's catalog.

Industry Certifications

The course content prepares students for several industry credentials commonly recognized by Florida and national avionics employers:

• FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) — federal credential required to maintain, adjust, or internally repair FCC-licensed radiotelephone transmitters in aviation, maritime, and international fixed public radio services. The GROL is widely required by FAA Part 145 avionics repair stations.
• AEA Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) — entry-level credential offered by the Aircraft Electronics Association, the leading trade association for Part 145 repair stations.
• NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) — industry-recognized standard developed by the National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies; validated through tests aligned to ASTM standards.
• ETA International electronics certifications — multiple ETA credentials are accepted by Florida employers and aerospace contractors.

FAA Part 147 Distinction

The Avionics Systems Technician PSAV program is distinct from the FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician (Airframe and Powerplant) school program. FAA Part 147 schools (such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and certain Florida technical colleges) prepare students for the FAA A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) mechanic certificate, which is required for many on-aircraft maintenance tasks. Avionics technicians frequently pursue both the avionics PSAV pathway and an A&P certificate; the combination opens significantly more employment opportunities and supports advancement into senior technician and inspector roles.

Articulation and Transfer

As a PSAV clock-hour course, AVS0680 does not automatically transfer between institutions as college credit. Some Florida public colleges have specific articulation agreements that recognize PSAV avionics completion toward A.S./A.A.S. degrees in aviation maintenance and aerospace technology — students should consult the receiving institution's articulation officer for specific applicability.

Military Credit Equivalency

Students with prior military training in avionics, aircraft electrical, aircraft electronics, or related Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) classifications may be eligible for military credit equivalency awards toward this course. Specifically:

• U.S. Navy AT (Aviation Electronics Technician) — the most directly aligned MOS
• U.S. Air Force 2A5X3 (Avionics Test Station and Components) and 2A5X1 (Aerospace Maintenance)
• U.S. Army 15F (Aircraft Electrician) and 15Y (AH-64D Armament/Electrical/Avionics Systems Repairer)
• U.S. Marine Corps 6314, 6324, 6336, 6386 series (avionics MOSes)
• U.S. Coast Guard AET (Avionics Electrical Technician)

Documentation through the Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript is the basis for evaluation. Students should consult the receiving institution's veteran services and military credit evaluation office. Daytona State College and Florida State College at Jacksonville maintain dedicated military-credit equivalency processes for avionics PSAV programs.