Avionics Obsolescence Management Course
Online course of 300 hours in avionics obsolescence management. 6 modules covering obsolescence in long-life systems, management plans, resolution strategies, counterfeit risk and certification impact with an assigned technical tutor.
Avionics Obsolescence Management Course — studying from Malta
Malta's aerospace activity is concentrated around Malta International Airport at Luqa, where aircraft maintenance, cabin interiors and aviation services form a significant part of the local economy. The island's aviation sector is supported by a long-established regulatory framework and a growing interest in drone operations and advanced air mobility. Engineers here commonly find work with aircraft maintenance organisations, aviation services providers and companies engaged in unmanned systems testing. Expertise in airworthiness, systems integration and regulatory compliance is particularly valued by employers operating within this niche but internationally connected market.
Fees for Malta: €797 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which professional bodies in Malta recognise engineers working in aerospace, UAM, drones and space, and how does that affect my title?
Malta's Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the use of the title 'engineer' under the Engineering Profession Act. Aviation safety is overseen by the Malta Competition and Consumers Affairs Authority's aviation counterpart, Transport Malta's Civil Aviation Directorate, which licenses operators and certain technical staff. A private SEIUM qualification does not itself grant a regulated title; recognition depends on the employer or the relevant body.
Which employers in Malta might hire someone with an aerospace or drone engineering background?
Malta has an aviation sector centred on Malta International Airport, aircraft maintenance and MRO activity, and a growing drone and space-related presence at the University of Malta and in private firms. Employers vary in their hiring criteria. A private qualification can support a application, but employers will weigh it against experience and any formal credentials they require.
Can I realistically study this 1,900-hour programme while working full time in Malta, and do I need a visa?
Programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home in Malta or elsewhere without a student visa. Each student gets an assigned technical tutor. Workload should be planned around your job; 1,900 hours is substantial, so most working professionals spread it over a long period. Ask about employer sponsorship and instalment fee options before enrolling.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the causes and consequences of obsolescence in avionics.
Prepare obsolescence management plans in line with IEC 62402.
Select resolution strategies using technical and economic criteria.
Prevent counterfeit components from entering the supply chain.
Assess the certification impact of component changes.
Monitor obsolescence risk using indicators.
Develop an obsolescence management plan for real equipment.
Who it's for
- Obsolescence managers looking to focus on avionics.
- Electronic component engineers working on long-life aerospace equipment.
- Product support engineers at aircraft manufacturers and avionics suppliers.
- Aerospace supply chain managers dealing with end-of-life notices.
- Life-cycle engineers responsible for fleet sustainment.
- Hardware redesign engineers handling component replacements.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to join aircraft manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- IEC 62402:2019 (obsolescence management)
- IEC TS 62239-1:2018 (electronic components management plans)
- SAE AS5553 (avoidance and detection of counterfeit electronic parts)
- SAE AS6174 (counterfeit materiel)
- IEC TS 62647 (lead-free electronics in aerospace)
- SAE EIA-933 (COTS assembly management plans)
- RTCA DO-254 / EUROCAE ED-80 (airborne electronic hardware design assurance)
- MIL-STD-3018 (parts management)
- SiliconExpert
- Z2Data
- IHS Markit Parts Management
- Siemens Teamcenter
- Microsoft Power BI
6 modules
1.1Component life cycles versus aircraft life cycles1.2Causes: market, regulation and technology1.3End-of-life and last-time-buy notices1.4Impact on fleet availability and costs1.5Software and tool obsolescence1.6Knowledge and process obsolescence1.7Reactive, proactive and strategic management1.8Responsibilities between manufacturer and operator1.9Military and civil fleet cases1.10Case study: impact of the withdrawal of a processor
2.1IEC 62402 requirements2.2Structure of a management plan2.3Electronic component management plans2.4Obsolescence risk indicators2.5Bill of materials monitoring2.6Life-cycle databases2.7Integration into product engineering2.8Contractual support clauses2.9Periodic review of the plan2.10Workshop: risk analysis of a bill of materials
3.1Last-time buy and storage3.2Alternative and equivalent components3.3Authorised aftermarket manufacturers3.4FPGA emulation of components3.5Partial board redesign3.6Full redesign and technology refresh3.7Cannibalisation and reuse of parts3.8Life-cycle cost analysis3.9Selection of the optimal strategy3.10Practical exercise: economic comparison of three resolutions
4.1Counterfeit components in the supply chain4.2AS5553 and AS6174 requirements4.3Authenticity inspection and testing4.4Storage ageing and solderability4.5Lead-free electronics and tin whisker growth4.6Qualification of commercial-grade components4.7Lot traceability4.8Authorised and independent distributors4.9Reporting of suspect parts4.10Lab: inspection plan for broker-sourced components
5.1Hardware changes and their classification5.2Reverification under DO-2545.3Software impact of a processor change5.4Environmental testing after redesign5.5ETSO and TSO modifications5.6Updating maintenance data5.7Form, fit and function equivalence5.8Liaison with authorities and customers5.9Planning technology refreshes5.10Case study: replacing a memory device in certified equipment
6.1System and bill of materials analysed6.2Assessment of life-cycle status6.3Obsolescence risk matrix6.4Proposed resolution strategies6.5Life-cycle economic analysis6.6Certification impact6.7Documented management plan6.8Risk monitoring indicators6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SiliconExpert, Z2Data, IHS Markit Parts Management, Siemens Teamcenter and Microsoft Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: bill of materials risk analysis, economic comparison of resolution strategies and component inspection planning. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: IEC 62402:2019, IEC TS 62239-1:2018, SAE AS5553, SAE AS6174, IEC TS 62647, SAE EIA-933, RTCA DO-254 / EUROCAE ED-80, MIL-STD-3018.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SiliconExpert, Z2Data, IHS Markit Parts Management, Siemens Teamcenter, Microsoft Power BI, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and enough English to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
Related programmes
Avionics Software Validation Course
Online course of 300 hours in avionics software validation. 6 modules covering validation in the avionics life cycle, model-based validation, simulation benches and HIL, operational validation,…
Ergonomics course in aerospace manufacturing
Online course of 300 hours in ergonomics in aerospace manufacturing, structured in 6 modules covering ergonomic risks, assessment methods, workstation design, assistive technologies and plant-level ergonomics…
Solar park inspection course with UAV
Online course of 300 hours in solar farm inspection with UAVs: 6 modules covering photovoltaic plants and their defects, photovoltaic thermography, flight planning, processing and analysis,…
More in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
All Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships