Squawk/Talk Join the waitlist

Find the fault before you swap the part.

Squawk Talk is a troubleshooting trainer that runs in your browser. You get a squawk, a schematic and a meter. Predict each reading before you take it, then call the fault.

This week's puzzle is right here: six test points, one fault. Pick a point, predict it, then read it.

Join the waitlist For schools

Early access. The full trainer isn't open yet; the weekly puzzle is free.

How a job works

From Senior Tech up, every job runs this way, whether it's a corroded regulator ground or a crushed ARINC 429 cable. The weekly puzzle is a short version.

  1. Squawk

    Read the write-up the way the pilot left it, and the logbook for what was worked on last.

  2. Schematic

    Read the system brief and the wiring sheet. The meter stays locked until you do.

  3. Predict

    Before each reading, say what a healthy circuit reads at that point.

  4. Measure

    Volts and ohms. Higher levels add the bus analyzer, scope, VSWR and TDR.

  5. Call it

    Write it up: where, what caused it, and the repair. Every part you swap goes on the bill.

  6. Debrief

    A score out of 100, your predictions next to the healthy values, and what a pro checks first.

One real job, start to finish

Screens from the current build, Senior Tech level. Landing light inop on a TR-140; the LDG LT breaker popped twice in cruise and the nav lights flickered each time.

Work order for a TR-140: landing light inop, LDG LT breaker popped twice in cruise, nav lights flickered. Below it the panel switches, the left wing lighting schematic with test points 1 to 25, CB2 tripped, and the meter reading OL with the red probe on J10 pin 4, wing side.
The job. CB2 is tripped and J10 is split. The fuselage side of pin 4 reads tens of ohms to ground; the wing side reads OL.
Prediction prompt before a resistance reading from TP10 to TP2, master off and CB2 tripped, with the answer 2 kΩ to 1 MΩ (electronics) selected.
Predict first. With power off, the landing light feed to ground should read tens of kΩ through the LED driver. It read 49.8 Ω.
Debrief scoring 100 out of 100: predictions 25 of 25, inspection before the first reading, measurement discipline, parts, safety and write-up all full marks. A table of seven predictions against the healthy values, and a parts bill totaling $572 with one landing light bad out of the box and not charged.
The debrief. Each prediction next to the healthy value, and the parts bill. The first new landing light was bad out of the box, so the job checks you proved power and ground before buying another. Cause: a clamp at FS 112 never went back in after a door seal job.

Who it's for

A&P and avionics students

Practice for the oral and practical alongside your shop time. Jobs are mapped to FAA-S-ACS-1 elements such as AM.I.A.S8, troubleshoot a circuit.

New techs

The habit that costs shops money is swapping a box to see if the squawk goes away. Here that habit only costs you points.

GA owners

Learn how your airplane's electrical system is supposed to behave, so you can follow what your shop tells you.

Instructors and shops

Free class pilots for Part 147 programs, and three free seats for 30 days for shops. See For schools and For shops.

What this is, and what it isn't

I'm an avionics tech in Colorado. Experienced techs have told me a sim always has a smoking gun, and real snags often don't. They're right. Squawk Talk won't replace time on the aircraft or a good mentor.

What it can do is build the habits that come first: understand the system, know what the meter should say before you look, and prove the fault before you order a part.

It's a training aid. The aircraft and wiring are fictional, it isn't maintenance data, and it isn't FAA-approved training. On a real aircraft you follow the manufacturer's current data.

Pricing

Priced like test prep, not a streaming service. Nothing is charged today. Pick the plan you'd actually buy and the waitlist form records it.

PlanPriceWhat's in itWaitlist
Free$0Squawk of the Week, Line Tech I jobs, basic score historyI'd use this
Student$39/yr
or $19 for 3 months		Every level. Any technical or engineering program.I'd pay for this
Tech$79/yrEvery level, plus new tracks as they shipI'd pay for this
Founding lifetime$149 onceEverything in Tech, for good. Launch only, limited spots.I'd pay for this

Schools from $2,500 a year. Shops from $999 a year for 5 seats. Full pricing

Join the waitlist

Two minutes: your role, what you'd pay, and what you'd want to practice first. You'll hear from me when early access opens.

Open the waitlist form