Onboarding plan
Avionics Technician Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new avionics technician from first day to full productivity.
Avionics Technician onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate, FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: multimeters and oscilloscopes; pitot-static and transponder test sets; crimp tools and connector kits; wire strippers and heat guns
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Avionics Technician training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Follow ESD procedures when handling electronics
- De-energize circuits and verify before working
- Use proper ladders and stands around aircraft
- Follow hangar safety rules around moving aircraft and engines
- Shadow an experienced avionics technician through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: troubleshoot an intermittent avionics fault
- Supervised practice: crimp an aircraft connector pin
- Supervised practice: make an FAA maintenance record entry
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Troubleshoot avionics and electrical systems: independently
- Install and modify avionics equipment and wiring: independently
- Test systems with specialized test equipment: independently
- Read wiring diagrams and maintenance manuals: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate)
- Discuss the career path: Avionics Apprentice or Installer → Avionics Technician → Lead Technician or Inspector
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troubleshoot an Intermittent Avionics Fault | |||
| Crimp an Aircraft Connector Pin | |||
| Make an FAA Maintenance Record Entry | |||
| Electrical and electronics troubleshooting | |||
| Wiring diagram reading | |||
| Harness and connector repair | |||
| Avionics installation |
How to measure onboarding success
- Time to independent work orders
- Comeback, rework or scrap rate
- Billable or productive hours versus target
- 90-day retention
How Avionics Technician training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Avionics Technician Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Avionics Technician Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Avionics Technician Career
- Final Knowledge Check