No two days the same

As an Avionics Technician at RAAF Base Richmond, no two days are quite the same.

I am a senior non-commissioned officer and section head at 37SQN, responsible for leading and developing a team of approximately 50 aviators. Drawing on my experience as an Avionics Technician, I balance leadership responsibilities with supporting the technical requirements needed to keep aircraft mission ready.

Avionics Technicians, or AVTECHs, are responsible for diagnosing and repairing electrical and software faults on aircraft, certifying maintenance and ensuring aircraft are ready to meet operational and training requirements.

At the senior level, the role extends well beyond the tools. As a flight sergeant and section head, my responsibilities include managing maintenance shifts, monitoring fatigue and shift timings, reporting aircraft status, deferring unresolved defects and resolving scheduling challenges caused by unexpected aircraft faults or personnel requirements.

A normal working day, if there is such a thing, begins with a maintenance brief to establish the squadron’s priorities.

From there, the day can involve responding to requests for information, planning training, adjusting rosters for short-notice tasks and ensuring personnel are appropriately trained, authorised and available to support squadron requirements.

One of the most rewarding parts of the role is developing junior aviators into confident, capable technicians who are ready to maintain and support aircraft wherever they are needed. Whether that means deploying around Australia or overseas, it is rewarding to see junior people embrace new challenges, experience places they have never been before and succeed in environments that push them beyond their comfort zone.

My own interest in aviation began well before joining the Air Force at just 17. Growing up near RAAF Base Townsville, I remember sitting on the bonnet of my grandmother’s Holden Kingswood at the front fence, watching F/A-18A Hornets come and go.

That fascination developed into a career centred around something that I still enjoy today, taking something broken and fixing it.

For my family, being posted to RAAF Base Richmond also offers a lifestyle that complements the demands of the role. The Hawkesbury region has also provided a positive experience for my family, particularly with young children and having access to local schooling.

The on-base lifestyle is great for younger kids and living on base works really well for our family. Richmond is also far enough from Sydney to not feel like you are living in Sydney, while still being close enough to enjoy what the city has to offer.

For those interested in aircraft, travel and a career that rarely falls into a predictable routine, the Avionics Technician trade offers all three.

If you’re interested in complex mechanical and electrical systems, enjoy fixing things and don’t want to be stuck in a routine, it’s a great trade to be in.