About Me

I’m an Avionics Systems Engineer, former Aircraft Maintenance Technician, a passionate private pilot, and a proud father to three.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Long Beach. My aviation career began at Ethiopian Airlines, where I worked as an Aviation Maintenance Technician. That early hands-on experience with aircraft systems sparked a lifelong passion for aviation and laid the technical foundation for my work in avionics engineering.

Today, I apply that experience to the design and support of advanced aircraft systems as an avionics engineer. To stay closely connected to the operational side of aviation, I actively fly Cessna 172 aircraft and am currently pursuing my Instrument Rating to further expand my proficiency in advanced flight operations and the National Airspace System.

Electronics Projects

I also enjoy designing and building hands-on electronics projects that turn engineering concepts into practical, working systems. One example is an Autopilot Mode Control Panel that I designed and built for my home flight simulator, where I integrate switches, displays, wiring, soldering, microcontrollers, and interface programming to replicate the look and operation of real aircraft controls. Projects like this let me combine my avionics background with my interest in electronics and flight simulation while continuously learning, experimenting, and developing new technical skills.

My App: Aircraft Editable eChecklist

As part of my interest in aviation and practical technology, I developed Aircraft Editable eChecklist, a customizable electronic checklist aid designed to give pilots a simple and flexible way to organize aircraft-specific Normal and Emergency checklist content. The app combines a clean mobile interface with voice-guided challenge-and-response operation to support an efficient checklist flow. The app allows users to edit checklist sections, challenges, responses, notes, and sequence so the content can be tailored to the aircraft they operate. My goal was to create a practical tool that reflects both my avionics engineering background and my experience as a pilot, while keeping the interface straightforward and easy to use.

Aircraft Editable eChecklist is one example of how I enjoy turning ideas into practical solutions. You can learn more about the app at www.fwdskillzone.com/apps.

FWD Skill Zone, Coaching, and Writing

I am also the founder of FWD Skill Zone (www.fwdskillzone.com), an educational platform dedicated to hands-on STEM learning. Through this initiative, I share practical engineering projects -- from Arduino-based electronics to flight simulator hardware -- designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and technical skill development.

Beyond engineering and aviation, I serve as a youth soccer coach for the City of Cerritos, where I enjoy mentoring young athletes and helping them develop both skill and character. This passion for youth development inspired me to write The Ultimate ABC of Soccer, an educational book that introduces young players to the fundamentals of soccer.

Whether I’m designing systems, flying airplanes, coaching soccer, or building electronics at home, I’m driven by one goal: to turn ideas into reality and inspire others to do the same. My mission is to make knowledge accessible, practical, and inspiring for learners of all levels.

Thanks for visiting!

Fekadu W. Debebe

(Avionics Systems Engineer & Private Pilot)

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