Peering through the fog of unpredictability rising from the pandemic of COVID-19, the only nationwide consensus seems to be the significant change in what avionics repair stations expect their business to do in the coming year.

Scott Spangler analyzes the results from this year's AEA Rate & Labor Survey in the December issue of Avionics News. More...

On Dec. 7, a group of 15 aviation associations, including the AEA, sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission expressing concern over frequency spectrum relocation affecting radar altimeters, a critical flight safety tool. The group requested that the FCC suspend Auction 107, scheduled to begin Dec. 8, which offers new flexible‐use overlay licenses for spectrum in the 3.7–3.98 GHz band, in order to resolve likely interference issues with radar altimeters prior to the auction.

“Since 2017, the aviation industry has consistently noted during the Federal Communications Commission rulemaking process that deployment of 5G networks in this frequency band may introduce harmful radio frequency interference to radar altimeters currently operating in the globally-allocated 4.2–4.4 GHz aeronautical band,” the group wrote. “Radar altimeters are deployed on tens of thousands of civil aircraft in the United States and worldwide to support several critical safety-of-life aircraft functions throughout multiple phases of flight. Radar altimeters are the only sensor onboard a civil aircraft which provides a direct measurement of the clearance height of the aircraft over the terrain or other obstacles.” More...

Mac and David Copeland share their family’s unique aviation history in this episode of AEA Amplified. Mac is following in big family footsteps as a third-generation pilot. He recently completed his first solo while attending college and working toward his private pilot certificate. His father, David, is the vice president of sales for Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics. And his grandparents, John and Marilyn, operated an airport, one that felt more like home than the house. With links to Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, listen to the Copeland family’s incredible aviation story.

Subscribe to AEA Amplified on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, iHeart Radio or Spotify. More...

Based in Kelowna, British Columbia, SKYTRAC has been a full-service, data-driven solutions provider for private, business, commercial, and military aviation since 1986. Today, its systems are certified on more than 900 airframes with over 7,500-plus users around the globe.

This past September, Iridium Communications announced that it appointed SKYTRAC as its newest aviation value-added manufacturer for the company’s Iridium Certus family of transceivers.

“We have always developed capabilities and services for aircraft operators ranging from satellite tracking and flight-following to voice communications, messaging and other capabilities,” stated Jan Van der Heul, SKYTRAC’s vice president of sales. “Using the combination of satellite communications and SKYTRAC’s capabilities in-flight, we can help operators use their aircraft more efficiently, whether it’s for real-time positioning, messaging, or transferring of critical aircraft performance data.” More...

This summer, The STC Group of Oxnard, California, near Los Angeles, added the Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six to its Federal Aviation Administration approved model list STC for the Trio Avionics Pro Pilot autopilot. The Trio autopilot is another example of how instruments and avionics in the experimental aircraft market are crossing over to FAA-certified aircraft, bringing affordability and full-featured capabilities.

The STC Group was created in 2016 for that purpose – to translate Trio Avionics’ non-TSO’d autopilots for installation in certificated aircraft. Along with providing the engineering, The STC Group sells Trio autopilots and the installation hardware directly to owner-operators.

Based at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, California, near San Diego, Trio Avionics has been building autopilots for experimental aircraft for more than a decade and has over 3,000 units flying on experimental aircraft. More...

When the aircraft owner approaches an A&P about helping with some work, it's only fair to point out that helping them takes the technician away from paying work – and that another owner/pilot expects that work to be performed, on-time, on-budget, and next. The benefit to the maintainer is the opportunity to cement a mechanic-customer relationship for all those other jobs and other times when that licensed technician will be required for the work needed.

But following the information within 43.3(g) and AC 20-106 can help that owner/pilot learn and understand more about the owned aircraft and why the A&P is a pilot’s best friend when work is required beyond that authorized by the FAA for the owner to tackle. More...

The AEA recently joined more than 20 aviation groups urging congressional leaders to support the Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act (S.3043/H.R.5427). The bill would mandate Federal Aviation Administration regulatory reform of aviation technician education, empower innovative curriculum development, and reinforce a workforce pipeline that will be vital to a strong, post-pandemic recovery.

“The aviation industry relies heavily on its technical workforce. Aviation maintenance schools governed by Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 147 produce the vast majority of certificated mechanics. Efficient and effective Part 147 programs are therefore a vital piece of the industry’s technical personnel pipeline." More...

To quote Yogi Berra, a New York Yankees Hall of Famer, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” Lately, I keep having these feelings of having already experienced the present situation. Or more accurately, the more I study, the more I see us repeating the past, which includes the title of this month’s column that we first used in our December 2011 edition.

As you may know, the Aircraft Electronics Association participates in rulemaking activities on behalf of the membership worldwide, predominately in North America, Western Europe (think European Union Aviation Safety Agency), and in the South Pacific with Australia and New Zealand. There are two major topics we are engaged in as I write this month’s column: safety management systems in Europe and Part 145 in the United States. From the Part 145 perspective, the Federal Aviation Administration tasked the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee to provide recommendations regarding the agency’s guidance on the certification and oversight of all Part 145 repair stations. As a result, the ARAC established a working group to manage this task. The AEA co-chairs this working group along with the Aeronautical Repair Station Association. More...

Registration is now open for the 64th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, the largest gathering of general aviation avionics manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations in the world. It is the platform of choice for the introduction of new avionics products and services coming to market in 2021.

The event takes place March 15-18, 2021, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees must register by Dec. 31, 2020, to receive the early-bird discount price of $675 (AEA member rate) for a full convention registration. The early-bird promotion offers a $180 per person savings off the on-site registration fee. Those attendees who chose to roll over their registration from 2020 will receive a confirmation email and do not need to register again.

The attendee full registration package includes: four days of seminars and technical training sessions; exhibit hall entrance for two full days with lunch; and networking with manufacturing and distributors. The Hilton Anatole will serve as the headquarters hotel. More...

In September, business aircraft operators, fuel suppliers, fixed-base operators, and legislators highlighted the industry’s commitment to the environment at the first virtual Business Aviation Sustainability Summit.

Business aviation accounts for less than 2% of all aviation carbon dioxide emissions and about .04% of global man-made emissions. Despite this already low impact, the industry has adopted a goal of 50% CO2 emissions reduction by 2050 relative to 2005. These goals will be met through four main pillars of aviation sustainability:

The AEA recently opened online enrollment for several training classes scheduled over the next several months at its headquarters in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Six brand-new courses are being offered for the first time.

Class sizes are limited, and social distancing protocols are in place for all attendees. Interested parties are encouraged to register well in advance to reserve a seat. Scroll down further in this edition of AEA Wired to learn more. More...

The Aircraft Electronics Association will award 23 scholarships totaling more than $100,000 for the 2021-22 school year to students pursuing a career in avionics or aircraft maintenance, as well as students from AEA member companies.

Since its inception, the AEA scholarship program has awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships. Numerous awards are available, ranging from $1,000 to more than $35,000 each. Scholarship applications are available online, and the deadline to submit an application is April 1, 2021. More...

The AEA Pilot’s Guide is a consumer’s directory loaded with educational articles, timely information and data about the ever-changing world of avionics technologies. In addition to a complete directory of AEA-member government-certified repair stations, avionics manufacturers and distributors located in more than 40 countries, the publication features educational articles to help pilots and aircraft owners make better buying decisions. Individuals residing in the United States may request a free copy while supplies last. More...

In addition to unveiling the 2020-21 edition of the AEA Pilot's Guide, the AEA introduced its Pilot's Guide Showcase, an all-new digital stage highlighting everything from features and functions of the latest avionics equipment to the installation and service available from AEA member repair stations.

Located at PilotsGuideShowcase.net and specifically designed for avionics consumers such as general aviation pilots and aircraft owners, the digital platform features product demonstrations, how-to videos, select tutorials via recorded flight demonstrations and spotlights AEA's network of technology experts. More...

Join more than 1,000 AEA members who have already streamed or downloaded these free regulatory webinars to help train their staff or continue their own professional development. Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, brings his vast years of experience and expertise to conduct a series of regulatory webinars essential to repair station and business operations.

In addition to providing relevant content, these courses include direct questions from the audience answered in real time. If you are looking to stay up-to-speed, AEA members may login with their member password to watch these sessions on your desktop or mobile device at AEA.net/webinars.

Attention avionics technicians! How well do you think you know your avionics inside and out? New and old? Then put your knowledge to work.

What is the product make and model shown in this image?

Southeast Aerospace will award a $100 Visa gift card to a random winner from among the correct entries submitted, and the winner will be announced in the next edition of AEA Wired.

In addition, each award recipient in 2020 will be entered to win a random drawing for a $500 Visa gift card at the end of the year, also from Southeast Aerospace. Email your answer...

PFD Installation & Integration (12 seats remain)

Lee's Summit, Missouri (New course!)

This course is designed for technicians who have completed the AEA’s Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation Course and/or have a couple years of basic avionics installation practice and are looking for more experience integrating common general aviation installations. Technicians will learn how to plan, install, interface, configure and check out an installation consisting of a Garmin GTN 650 touchscreen nav/comm/GPS, Garmin GTX 345 transponder and dual Garmin GI 275 primary flight displays.

Bench Basics 101 (13 seats remain)

Lee's Summit, Missouri (New course!)

This course is designed for technicians who have completed the AEA’s Basic Wiring course and/or have a couple of years of basic avionics installation practice, familiar with basic soldering skills and are looking for experience in LRU bench testing and avionics flight line testing. ADS-B transponder systems, nav/ILS and VHF comms will be the focus of study. Technicians will fabricate a general-purpose test panel, a bench test harness, and a transponder test harness that they will use in the course.

NAV/COMM Equipment Service Training (14 seats remain)

Lee's Summit, Missouri (New course!)

This course is designed for technicians who have completed the AEA’s Bench Basics 101 course and/or have a couple of years of basic avionics installation practice and are looking for experience in LRU bench testing and avionics flight line testing. NAV/ILS will be the focus of study.

Transponder Service Training (14 seats remain)

Lee's Summit, Missouri (New course!)

This course is designed for technicians who have completed the AEA’s Bench Basics 101 course and/or have a couple of years of basic avionics installation practice and are looking for experience in LRU bench testing and avionics flight line testing. ADS-B transponder systems, NAV/ILS and VHF comms will be the focus of study.

Pitot-Static & Transponder Testing & Inspection with ADS-B Implementation (12 seats remain)

Attendees will learn the proper methods for conducting pitot-static and transponder tests and inspections. This full-day course offers hands-on training, including a regulatory review and an explanation of the proper administrative procedures for completing these critical certifications. With so many questions surrounding ADS-B, this course will provide the answers and what you need to know.

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (13 seats remain)

This course is targeted for the homebuilder or avionics technician who wants to learn about performing an avionics installation in an experimental aircraft. The class focuses on the Garmin G3X Touch system, and a simplified example harness is constructed as part of the hands-on portion of the class. While the G3X Touch system is the primary focus, the wiring principles and general guidance can be applied to any experimental avionics system. From the do-it-yourselfer to the avionics shop looking to carve out a niche, this class has something for everyone.

Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation (14 seats remain)

This course is designed for certificated repairmen, new avionics technicians, aviation maintenance technicians and recent graduates interested in improving or acquiring the skills necessary to perform avionics installations. This three-day seminar employs in-depth theory and hands-on lab exercises to immerse the attendee in the best practices used to plan, manage and install a general aviation avionics panel.

Basic Pitot-Static & Transponder Theory, Testing & Troubleshooting (14 seats remain)

This course is designed for entry-level avionics technicians or those looking for basic training on pitot-static and aircraft transponder systems. This two-day course covers the history and theory of operation of pitot-static instruments and transponders, as well as system setup, hands-on testing, and the troubleshooting skills necessary to perform federal aviation regulation 91.411 and 91.413 checks.

The Regulations of Maintenance (15 seats remain)

Understanding the regulations of the repair station is only part of the equation. Like pieces of a puzzle, each regulation is needed to fit together in order to fully view the repair station’s requirements. Understanding the regulatory relationship between the business (Part 145); the maintenance it performs (Part 43); the parts it uses (Part 21); as well as the needs of customers (Part 91) are essential to provide regulatory compliant services in aviation maintenance. This session will cover the basics of the maintenance and modification regulations, but more importantly, it focuses on their integrated relationship with the business.

Developing an Internal Audit Program for Repair Stations (15 seats remain)

Are you an EASA certified repair station? Did you know there is an internal audit requirement in your EASA supplement? Do you have foreign certifications that require an internal audit program? Is your FAA inspector asking you about an internal audit program during their surveillance? Do you want to enhance your basic quality control program with a proactive internal audit program? This course focuses on the basics of internal auditing and the development of an internal audit program, providing the tools and methods necessary to meet the international regulatory needs as well as the continuous improvement of the repair station.

For individuals interested in pursuing professional opportunities in the avionics industry, the job listings page on the AEA website is your one-stop resource. The AEA jobs board provides informational links on how to get AET certified, an avionics technician job summary and wage review, along with scholarship opportunities within the industry. Search the AEA's job listings and see what's on your horizon. Are you up to the challenge? More...

Is your business hiring? The AEA jobs board makes it easier for AEA members to find their next avionics technician, quality manager, inspector, sales representative or engineer.

AEA members may submit a free job posting after entering their username and password at AEA.net/Jobs. Member companies that optionally choose to upgrade their job posting for a premium will have preferred online placement and also will be published in the next edition of Avionics News. For more information about premium job listings, contact Rachel Hill, AEA advertising executive, at rachelh@aea.net.