Plain English Meaning

All the electronic gear in the aircraft — the radios, navigation equipment, and electronic displays the pilot uses to communicate, navigate, and monitor the flight.

Full Definition

The electronic systems installed in an aircraft used for communication, navigation, flight management, and the display of flight information.

Context Anchor

You will encounter avionics during cockpit familiarization, preflight checks, instrument use, radio communication, and navigation setup.

Derivation

A blend of 'aviation' and 'electronics,' coined in the 1940s as electronic equipment became central to flying. Knowing the origin makes the meaning obvious: aviation electronics.