Glossary
Avionics Technician Terms & Vocabulary
15 essential avionics technician terms with plain-English definitions: the vocabulary you’ll hear in training and on day one.
Key avionics technician vocabulary
These 15 terms come up constantly in avionics technician training, on the job and in interviews. Knowing them helps you follow instructions, document accurately and sound prepared.
- ADS-B
- Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast: a system that broadcasts aircraft position.
- AMM
- Aircraft maintenance manual.
- ARINC 429
- A common avionics data standard.
- Autopilot
- A system that controls the aircraft automatically.
- Avionics
- Aviation electronics.
- Bus
- A distribution point for electrical power or data.
- Continuity test
- A test that confirms an electrical path is complete.
- ESD
- Electrostatic discharge, which can damage electronics.
- Glass cockpit
- Digital flight displays replacing analog gauges.
- Part 145
- FAA regulations for repair stations.
- Pitot-static system
- Instruments and lines that measure airspeed and altitude.
- Return to service
- Approval that an aircraft is airworthy after maintenance.
- STC
- Supplemental type certificate for approved modifications.
- Transponder
- A device that responds to radar with aircraft information.
- Wiring harness
- A bundle of wires and connectors.
Practice these terms
Test yourself with the free Avionics Technician practice test: it includes vocabulary questions built from this list. For a complete course, see Avionics Technician training.
Browse terms from every career in our career glossary.