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2A051C Career Guide

Air Force

2A051C: Avionics Test Station Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Avionics Test Station Specialist (2A051C)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2A051C veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Avionics Technician

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Electronics Technician

$68K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA)PLC Programming

Calibration Technician

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

ISO 17025 accreditation knowledgeSpecific calibration software training

Aerospace Engineer

$120K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace EngineeringCAD software proficiencyFEA (Finite Element Analysis)

Field Service Engineer

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Customer service skillsProject management skillsSpecific product training

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2A051C training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As an avionics technician, you built mental models of complex electronic systems to diagnose and repair malfunctions. You understood how various components interacted and anticipated the effects of adjustments or repairs.

This ability to understand and predict system behavior translates to designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing complex systems in various industries.

Procedural Compliance

Your work demanded strict adherence to technical manuals, safety protocols, and quality control procedures. You meticulously followed established processes to ensure accuracy and prevent errors.

This unwavering commitment to process makes you ideal for roles requiring adherence to regulations and standards, such as quality assurance or regulatory compliance.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You excelled at maintaining and repairing systems under pressure, often with limited resources or incomplete information. You quickly adapted to unexpected challenges and found creative solutions to keep equipment operational.

Your ability to perform under duress and find innovative solutions to keep things running makes you invaluable in high-pressure environments where you can handle crises.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitored system performance and environmental conditions, quickly identifying anomalies and anticipating potential problems before they escalated. Your acute awareness helped prevent catastrophic failures.

This vigilance allows you to quickly assess changing circumstances and proactively respond to emerging risks.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9099.01

You've been working with sophisticated electromechanical systems, troubleshooting complex problems, and maintaining equipment in demanding conditions. Your experience with avionics translates well to the intricacies of wind turbine technology, where you'll ensure clean energy production.

Industrial Automation Technician

SOC 49-9062.00

You've been maintaining and repairing advanced electronic and mechanical systems. Your skills in diagnosing malfunctions, using diagnostic equipment, and adhering to strict procedures are highly valuable in the field of industrial automation, where you'll keep production lines running smoothly.

Building Automation Systems (BAS) Technician

SOC 49-9021.00

You've been managing complex systems. Now, you can apply your technical expertise to manage and maintain building automation systems. This role allows you to leverage your troubleshooting skills to ensure efficient and reliable building operations, encompassing HVAC, lighting, and security systems.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Avionics Test Station Training, Sheppard AFB, TX

1,240 training hours31 weeksUp to 15 semester hours in electronics technology and avionics systems maintenance

Topics Covered

  • Avionics fundamentals
  • Electronic principles
  • Digital logic circuits
  • Microprocessor systems
  • Avionics test equipment operation and maintenance
  • Fault isolation and repair techniques
  • Calibration procedures
  • Automated Test Equipment (ATE) programming

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Electronics Technician (CET)70% covered

Requires study of current electronics troubleshooting techniques, industry standards, and specific CET exam topics like digital circuits and microprocessors.

ETA International Avionics Technician (AVN)60% covered

Requires study of specific FAA regulations, advanced avionics systems theory, and hands-on experience with general aviation avionics equipment.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Test Technician (CTT)Six Sigma Green BeltProject Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Automated Test Equipment (ATE)Automated Test Systems (ATS) - National Instruments, Teradyne
AN/USM-636(V) Versatile Depot Automatic Test Station (VDATS)ATE for aerospace and defense - Keysight Technologies, Marvin Test Solutions
AN/ASM-760 Miniaturized Automated Test Station (MATS)Portable Component Testers - Tektronix, Rohde & Schwarz
Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems Test EquipmentSignal Analyzers and Signal Generators - Keysight, Anritsu
Radar Test SetsRadar Testing Equipment - Raytheon, Lockheed Martin (commercial applications)
Communication Systems AnalyzersNetwork Analyzers - Viavi Solutions, Fluke Networks
Flight Control System SimulatorsAvionics Simulation Software - dSPACE, MathWorks

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