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Coast Guard Rating · Aviation

AET Avionics Electrical Technician

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

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Overview

An Avionics Electrical Technician inspects, services, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs aircraft systems for communications, navigation, collision avoidance, target acquisition, and automatic flight control. This technician also maintains aircraft batteries and electrical power systems, performs aircraft ground handling and inspections, completes aviation administrative duties, and fills designated aircrew positions.

Core Skills

  • Aircraft power generation and battery troubleshooting
  • Flight control and landing gear electrical repair
  • Aircrew navigation, sensor, and radio operation

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Avionics Technicians

AET experience inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing aircraft avionics and electrical systems directly overlaps civilian avionics maintenance.

How to prepare: Use the ASTM NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician exam outline to identify knowledge gaps and build a targeted study plan.

What the civilian work involves
  • Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
  • Adjust, repair, or replace malfunctioning components or assemblies, using hand tools or soldering irons.
  • Install electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems in aircraft, using hand tools, power tools, or soldering irons.

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

AET maintenance of aircraft electrical systems, flight control components, and landing gear provides a foundation for broader aircraft maintenance work.

How to prepare: Have the FAA review your military maintenance records to identify which mechanic rating experience requirements they support and any remaining training gaps. Air carriers often require a mechanic certificate for hiring, although it is not an FAA requirement for every airline mechanic job.

What the civilian work involves
  • Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
  • Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
  • Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.

Training & Development

Choose credentials for your target role. COOL funding markers describe program listings, not a guarantee of eligibility or funding.

Getting Started

  • ASTM NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET)

    Demonstrate aircraft electronics knowledge for civilian avionics maintenance work.

    Eligibility and preparation: The examination is open regardless of career field, training, education, or experience; no prior credential is required.

    For: Avionics Technicians

  • Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant)

    Support entry into aircraft maintenance positions that require FAA mechanic ratings.

    Eligibility and preparation: Applicants must be at least 18 and able to read, write, speak, and understand English. The experience route requires 18 months appropriate to one rating or 30 months concurrently performing duties appropriate to both ratings. Alternative routes include graduation from an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School or completion of the Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council training course. Knowledge, oral, and practical tests are required.

    For: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (6 documents)
  1. USCG authority snapshot: AET Avionics Electrical Technician

    [1] data/authority/coast_guard-codes.json entry AET (COOL USCG MOC Feed (uscg.json) + Go Coast Guard - Enlisted Careers (gocoastguard.com)); fetched 2026-07-25

    Supports: Aircraft power generation and battery troubleshooting, Flight control and landing gear electrical repair, Aircrew navigation, sensor, and radio operation, Avionics Technicians (O*NET 49-2091.00), Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00)

  2. O*NET: Avionics Technicians

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Avionics Technicians (O*NET 49-2091.00)

  3. SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.: ASTM NCATT certification information, exam list, and FAQ

    [3] Background; Exams Offered (Aircraft Electronics Technician, AET Endorsements, Other ASTM NCATT exams); Frequently Asked Questions; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: Avionics Technicians (O*NET 49-2091.00)

    [6]COOL credential mapping: ASTM NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) · AET cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET)

  4. O*NET: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

    [4] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00)

  5. FAA: Become an Aviation Mechanic

    [5] Requirements and mechanic experience requirements

    Supports: Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (O*NET 49-3011.00), Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant)

    [8]COOL credential mapping: Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant) · AET cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant)

  6. SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.: Qualifications for ASTM NCATT Certifications

    [7] Sole qualifications statement on page; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET)

Defense contractor jobs for AET

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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