AET Career Guide
AET: Aviation Electronics Technician
Career transition guide for Coast Guard Aviation Electronics Technician (AET)
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Top civilian roles for AET veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Avionics Technician
Skills to develop:
Electrical Engineer
Skills to develop:
Wind Turbine Technician
Skills to develop:
Aerospace Engineering Technician
Skills to develop:
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your AET training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
AETs must understand how various aircraft systems (electrical, hydraulic, fuel, etc.) interact and affect each other to diagnose malfunctions and ensure proper operation. They build mental models of these systems to predict behavior and troubleshoot effectively.
This ability to understand complex systems and their interdependencies translates directly to fields where you need to analyze and optimize processes, predict outcomes, and identify potential points of failure.
Procedural Compliance
AETs adhere to strict maintenance procedures, technical manuals, and safety regulations to ensure aircraft are airworthy and safe for flight. They must follow documented processes meticulously to prevent errors and maintain accountability.
Your dedication to following procedures and adhering to standards ensures quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. This is highly valued in industries where precision and consistency are paramount.
Situational Awareness
AETs maintain awareness of the overall operational status of aircraft, including maintenance schedules, ongoing repairs, and potential safety hazards. They need to anticipate problems, communicate effectively, and coordinate with other team members to ensure efficient maintenance operations.
Your ability to maintain a comprehensive understanding of your environment, anticipate potential problems, and communicate effectively is critical for success in dynamic and demanding situations. You're able to synthesize information from multiple sources and make informed decisions under pressure.
Degraded-Mode Operations
AETs troubleshoot and repair aircraft systems under pressure, often with limited resources or in challenging environments. They must be able to adapt to unexpected problems, think critically, and find innovative solutions to keep aircraft operational.
Your experience in troubleshooting and repairing complex systems under pressure has honed your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to unexpected challenges. You can remain calm and focused in demanding situations, find creative solutions, and keep operations running smoothly.
Pattern Recognition
Through experience, AETs learn to recognize patterns in system behavior and failure modes. Recognizing these patterns helps them to quickly diagnose issues and apply appropriate solutions.
Your ability to quickly identify patterns and anomalies in data or system behavior allows you to proactively address potential issues and improve overall efficiency. This skill is invaluable in data-driven environments where identifying trends and insights is essential.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Wind Turbine Technician
SOC 49-9099.01You've been maintaining complex electromechanical systems on aircraft, so you already have the skills to diagnose, repair, and maintain wind turbines. Plus, you're comfortable working at heights and in challenging conditions.
Robotics Technician
SOC 49-9069.00You've worked extensively with aircraft avionics, electrical systems, and automated systems which gives you a solid foundation for robotics. Your troubleshooting skills and understanding of complex systems will make you a valuable asset in this field.
Building Automation Systems Technician
SOC 49-9021.00You're an expert in electrical systems, control systems, and troubleshooting, making you well-equipped to maintain and repair building automation systems. Your experience with complex systems will enable you to quickly learn the specifics of this industry.
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
SOC 49-9041.00You're highly skilled in diagnosing and repairing mechanical and electrical systems, skills that directly transfer to maintaining industrial machinery. You also bring a strong work ethic and commitment to safety, which are highly valued in this field.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Aviation Technical Training Center, Elizabeth City, NC
Topics Covered
- •Basic electricity and electronics theory
- •Avionics systems troubleshooting
- •Aircraft communication systems (ICS, VHF, UHF, HF)
- •Aircraft navigation systems (VOR, ILS, GPS, TACAN)
- •Radar systems maintenance
- •Air data systems
- •Aircraft wiring and connectors
- •Aircraft power generation and distribution
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
AETs gain extensive knowledge of radio and communication systems, but formal study of FCC rules and regulations, as well as specific test-taking strategies, are needed.
While AETs work on avionics systems, the CET covers a broader range of electronics. Focus study on consumer electronics, industrial controls, and specific troubleshooting techniques outside of aviation.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| AN/ARC-210 (VHF/UHF Radio) | Commercial aviation VHF/UHF communication radios (e.g., Garmin GTR series) |
| AN/ARN-147 (VOR/ILS Navigation System) | Commercial aviation VOR/ILS receivers (e.g., Collins NavCore series) |
| AN/APX-118 (IFF Transponder) | Civilian aviation transponders (Mode S) with ADS-B out |
| AN/APS-143 (Radar System) | Marine radar systems (e.g., Furuno, Raymarine) |
| TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation System) | Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) for civilian aircraft |
| GPS (Global Positioning System) with SAASM | Civilian GPS receivers (e.g., Garmin, Lowrance) with differential GPS (DGPS) |
| ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) | Commercial ELT beacons (e.g., 406 MHz ELTs) |
| Aviation Computerized Maintenance System (ACMS) | Aircraft Maintenance Tracking Software (e.g., CAMP, Flightdocs) |
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