Avionics News August 2014 - 51

In the avionics context, avionics is a calling, and we
prefer to use the first definition of profession and the
definition of professionalism that goes along with it.
Everyone I've met in the aviation industry thinks
professionalism is important. Moreover, those of us
in the education field encourage our students to act
and appear in a professional manner. In some of my
classes, professionalism is part of the grade. For my
young and often immature students, a definition is
most helpful.
The state of Texas defined the major elements of
any profession.
Philosophy. Professions have their own philosophy,
which must be articulated in both written and oral
form. Avionics shops have many ways of defining
philosophy, but I believe as a whole, the industry
values safety and quality. The shops that have
articulated their philosophy will be considered the
most professional.
Body of knowledge. Professions must have a
body of professional literature of research, study and
comment. In our industry, we have several publications,
including Avionics News; however, academics
expect professional literature to be research-based
and juried. In the past, the Association for Avionics
Education published journals. But currently, there is
no publication that would meet a librarian's standard
regarding a published body of knowledge.
Leaders or philosophers. Professions have, both
historically and currently, those who write about
and research the profession. Leaders can be writers,
doers, role models and those active in service. Thanks
to the Aircraft Electronics Association, the National
Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies,
the National Business Aviation Association and
the Experimental Aircraft Association, there is no
shortage of leaders in the general aviation industry.
Our leaders are recognized and widely known.
Guidelines for behavior. Professions have codes,
guidelines, creeds, oaths, commitment statements
and belief statements such as statements on ethics
and professionalism. Nearly everyone I know in the
avionics industry operates in an ethical manner, but I
have not found a published overall avionics code of
ethics. A few shops and organizations have published

WE EXPECT OUR TECHNICIANS
TO ACT AND LOOK LIKE
PROFESSIONALS. FURTHERMORE, WE
EXPECT THEM TO HAVE A CERTAIN
LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE.
a code, but there has not been anything adopted across
the industry.
Admission requirements. Professionals in
many professions are licensed, certified, and have
specific initial and advanced education, as well as
requirements for ongoing education. In addition,
many professions require both initial and ongoing
testing for admission and maintaining membership.
Thanks to the NCATT, we are making great strides
toward strengthening admissions requirements for
our profession. We now have the AET (Aircraft
Electronics Technician) certification and several
endorsements to support it.
Many professions require support and/or professional
development opportunities outside the work environment
such as associations or professional organizations.
Some industry organizations, including the AEA and the
NBAA, provide professional development opportunities
outside the work; however, technicians are not always
required to take advantage of this.
To the outside world, avionics repair and
installation seems quasi-professional. When measured
against the Texas standard, our career field has many
elements of a profession but does not quite meet
all the definitions. Of course, within our world,
we think of ourselves as professionals. We expect
our technicians to act and look like professionals.
Furthermore, we expect them to have a certain level
of knowledge. During the last 30 to 50 years, the
avionics industry has become more professional. Of
course, we believe that we are professionals. q
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august

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Avionics News August 2014

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