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Keeping the general aviation industry connected
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AEA Recognizes Members for Training Commitment
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The Aircraft Electronics Association announced the recipients of the annual Avionics Training Excellence Award, which recognizes AEA member companies for their total commitment to continued education as evidenced by participation in AEA-approved training. Nearly 45 member companies received the 2019 AEA Avionics Training Excellence Award.
For a member company to be eligible for the award, all its technicians must have completed at least one AEA-approved training event in the previous year, which includes the courses conducted at AEA headquarters; the AEA International Convention & Trade Show; AEA Connect Conferences; the
Avionics News Technical Training Exam; AEA computer-based training; original equipment manufacturer training from AEA associate member companies; and AEA partner training.
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AEA and Industry Coalition Urge FCC to Reconsider Its Approval of Ligado 5G Network
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On June 3, the AEA and a group of 69 aviation organizations wrote to Marlene H. Dortch, secretary of the Federal Communications Commission, in support of a petition for stay filed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The petition to the FCC was filed May 22, and it opposed the FCC’s April 20 order of approval for Ligado Networks’ proposed high-speed broadband cellular network operating near frequency bands currently used by GPS and satellite communications networks. The petition noted a variety of concerns with the FCC’s April 20 order of approval for the nationwide 5G cellular service, including Ligado’s failure to sufficiently demonstrate its ability to not interfere with other frequencies. It also questioned the FCC’s approval without conducting a public review of the draft order.
In part, the June 3 letter to Dortch supporting the petition stated: “The petition (as well as the numerous petitions for reconsideration filed against the Ligado order) demonstrates conclusively that the order presents serious and unresolved legal and factual questions, that grant of the stay will not harm others, and that a stay is necessary to prevent serious harm arising from harmful interference into mission-critical GPS devices and satellite communications. In short, the public interest strongly favors maintaining the status quo during the pendency of NTIA’s petition for reconsideration, and the Commission should grant the petition.”
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Next AEA Members-Only Webinar Set for June 16; Previous Webinars Now Available Online
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The AEA has scheduled a series of members-only webinars to cover a variety of regulatory topics. Members can find a link to register for this free webinar on the AEA website with their member login and password. Below is the schedule for the next few weeks.
Flight Data Recorders and the Mexican Mandate - Tuesday, June 16 (3 p.m. EDT)
A discussion of the upcoming Mexican FDR mandate. Who and what aircraft does it apply to? What are the installation options, certifications and potential problems? What products are available to meet the mandate?
Human Factors in Maintenance - Tuesday, June 23 (3 p.m. EDT)
Most maintenance errors trace their origins to some compromise in human factors. This session will investigate the fundamentals of human failure and identify opportunities to improve productivity as well as workplace health and safety.
Repair Station Contract Maintenance - Tuesday, June 30 (3 p.m. EDT)
Repair stations may choose to arrange for another person to perform maintenance on behalf of the repair station. However, understanding and managing contract maintenance require understanding the history and origin of the question. This session will provide you with the tool and understanding to identify contract functions and to manage the outsourcing of maintenance functions to satisfy the regulations.
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Appareo's Stratus Insight: Enhancing Situational Awareness
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One of the more successful entrants in the ADS-B market is Appareo, a Fargo, North Dakota-based product development and technology company founded in 2003. Although it wasn’t the company’s first aviation offering, Appareo’s original Stratus portable ADS-B In receiver kicked off a new product line for the company.
As 2020 began, Appareo’s Stratus product line included a well-received pair of rule-compliant, 1090ES ADS-B Out panel-mounted transponders and even more capabilities from its portable products. It also had an iOS app, Stratus Horizon Pro, that used data from the attitude and heading reference system built into its portable devices that offered pilots an artificial horizon presentation on their iPad, for emergencies. At that point, the only thing missing from the product line was the company’s own EFB app.
Less than a year after its acquisition of Aerovie, Appareo has plugged that gap, with Stratus Insight, a full-featured EFB app only for Apple devices: iPhone and iPad, plus the Apple Watch. In fact, Stratus Insight has a handful of features either not available on other EFB apps, or at least not available all in the same package. And naturally, Stratus Insight works and plays well with Appareo’s portable ADS-B In receivers, including those incorporating an AHRS. When an AHRS is present, Stratus Insight has an artificial horizon and synthetic vision display only an icon tap away.
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2019 GA and Part 135 Activity Survey
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The 42nd annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is now underway. It is the Federal Aviation Administration's primary source of information about the size and activity of the general aviation and on-demand Part 135 fleet. The survey is conducted on behalf of the FAA by Tetra Tech, an independent research firm, and all survey responses are confidential. Tetra Tech would like to hear from everyone who received an invitation to complete the survey to prepare accurate statistics on aviation activity. The GA Survey is a scientific sample of aircraft from the Civil Aviation Registry. If you have questions, please contact Tetra Tech at 800-826-1797 or email
infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com.
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Preston Pressure Passes the Test
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Preston Pressure, which makes pitot-static testers near Bonham, Texas, is truly a family business. Founder Kevin George watches over his sons, Kent George, 19, and Kyle George, 17, as they create wire harnesses, solder, assemble and perform initial testing on the systems.
In March, Preston Pressure introduced the PS-625 digital pitot-static air data tester to meet the higher accuracy testing needs of RVSM-approved commercial and business aviation aircraft. It offers easy portability and low maintenance and is powered by 12 volts DC. Alternatively, it can be powered by an internal rechargeable battery for up to three hours.
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Hot-wash Your COVID-19 Response
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If you own or manage a repair station, flight school, charter operation, or any other aviation business, you’ve probably made some difficult decisions in the past several months. What would you do differently if you had to do it again?
Pandemic response is an important part of emergency planning, but many companies don’t have documented policies and procedures or conduct regular exercises to be sure those policies and procedures are appropriate.
Did your organization put its emergency response plan and business continuity plan into action when the pandemic started, or did you face the pandemic without a plan? If your organization had an emergency response plan, did it work as written? In either case, a thorough “hot-wash” – or after-action review – can help your organization respond better to a future crisis.
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Registration Open for AEA Connect Conferences
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Join aviation's technology experts at one of the upcoming AEA Connect Conferences later this year. Online registration is available for both attendees and exhibitors. The schedule is as follows:
Sept. 10-11: AEA Canada (Calgary, Alberta)
Sept. 23-24: AEA East (Naples, Florida)
Oct. 19-20: AEA Central (Kansas City, Missouri)
Oct. 27-28: AEA West (Irvine, California)
Nov. 10-11: AEA South Pacific (Queenstown, New Zealand)
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Request Your FREE
AEA Pilot’s Guide
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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.
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On the Radar: Upcoming Industry Events
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FAA UAS Symposium
Virtual Event
July 8-9 and Aug. 18-19, 2020
Due to ongoing concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the health and safety of the unmanned aviation community, the FAA and AUVSI made the decision to host the 5th annual FAA UAS Symposium virtually instead of in-person in Baltimore. The event was originally scheduled for June 16-18. Episode I will take place July 8-9 with a focus on UTM and international UAS integration. Episode II will take place August 18-19 with a focus on updates to the Integration Pilot Program and public safety operations.
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AEA Canada Connect Conference
Calgary, Alberta
Sept. 10-11, 2020
Join shop owners, managers and lead technicians for the latest regulatory and technical training at the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel. Advance registration is open through Sept. 2 for individuals to attend and for companies to exhibit.
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AEA U.S. East Connect Conference
Naples, Florida
Sept. 23-24, 2020
Join shop owners, managers and lead technicians for the latest regulatory and technical training at the Naples Grande Hotel. Advance registration is open through Sept. 18 for individuals to attend and for companies to exhibit.
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AUVSI XPONENTIAL
Dallas, Texas
Oct. 5-8, 2020 (rescheduled date and new location)
At the world’s largest event for unmanned and autonomous systems, explore today’s proven capabilities and tomorrow’s advancements through hands-on exhibits and interactive demos.
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NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition
Orlando, Florida
Oct. 6-8, 2020
Join over 23,000 industry professionals for the most important three days of business aviation. Ranked as one of the largest trade shows in the United States, NBAA-BACE will bring together current and prospective aircraft owners, manufacturers and customers into one place where they’ll get critical work accomplished, be inspired during engaging keynote sessions and advance their careers through dozens of education sessions.
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AEA U.S. Central Connect Conference
Kansas City, Missouri
Oct. 19-20, 2020
Join shop owners, managers and lead technicians for the latest regulatory and technical training at the Hilton Kansas City Airport. Advance registration is open through Oct. 14 for individuals to attend and for companies to exhibit.
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Sparring with Coronavirus
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The coronavirus pandemic swept through the aviation industry like an outbreak of extreme turbulence in early March, laying low everyone’s business plans for 2020. The business and general aviation sectors were not hit nearly as hard as the airlines, and the travel flexibility of private aviation may play a key role in the recovery.
As the coronavirus started affecting travel, business jets in some cases were grounded by their owners, in others tasked to repatriate healthy passengers from abroad to the United States, and in others enlisted in support of humanitarian flights airlifting patients and the scarce and highly sought personal protective equipment for doctors and nurses.
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Guide to Cleaning & Disinfecting Cockpits & Cabins
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What can avionics shops and aircraft MROs learn from this anti-germ crusade? It’s simple: Get them before they get you.
With their confined spaces, temperature extremes and poor air circulation, cockpits and cabins are textbook breeding grounds for germs. But, germs or not, it’s not like we can stop flying. Airplanes are critical to not only helping domestic and global industries get business back to normal; they’re the lifeblood of what we do every day. So how do you stay safe and stay in business?
Well, thankfully, there’s a lot you can do, and most of it is not labor intensive. In fact, the CDC has published, “What Aircraft Maintenance Workers Need to Know about COVID-19.”
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$100 Mystery Make and Model Challenge
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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? Hint: Even though it's made by King Radio, it's not an aviation radio.
The first individual who submits the correct answer will be awarded a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Southeast Aerospace, 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...
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Avionics Training and Professional Development Classes
Register quickly, as most classes sell out!
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Certified Repair Station Training
July 13-17, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
This weeklong course provides an interactive environment to learn, understand and implement the regulations that govern repair station design and operations. Current quality managers, technicians, mechanics, and repairmen who are involved in the management of a repair station as well as individuals looking to establish a 14 CFR Part 145 repair station should attend. This course will include a complete review of the FAA guidance and policy regarding the procedures to assure a repair station is operating within the criteria of its manuals.
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Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation
July 27-29, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
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.
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Basic Pitot-Static & Transponder Theory, Testing & Troubleshooting
July 30-31, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
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 Regulations 91.411 and 91.413 checks.
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Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft
Aug. 5-7, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
This course is designed for the homebuilder or avionics technician who is looking for guidance in completing an avionics installation on an experimental aircraft. While the Garmin G3X Touch system is used as an example in the course, 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 a niche, this class has something for everyone.
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Avionics Installation and Integration Training
Aug. 12-14, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
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 touch screen nav/com/GPS, Garmin GTX 345 transponder and an Aspen EFD1000 primary flight display.
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Bench Basics and Flight Line Troubleshooting
Aug. 17-19, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
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. Attendees will keep their fabricated test panel and harness projects.
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Pitot-Static and Transponder Testing and Inspection with ADS-B Implementation
Aug. 20, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
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.
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IFR6000 and IFR4000 Operations
Aug. 21, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
This course is designed to provide maintenance personnel with the knowledge and skills required to operate the IFR6000 to verify and maintain transponder, UAT, TCAS, and DME system, and to operate the IFR4000 for ILS, VOR, COMMs and ELT.
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The Regulations of Maintenance
Oct. 22-23, 2020
Orlando, Florida
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.
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News from AEA Member Companies
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Southeast Aerospace announced the completion of a new STC, ST00174MC for Citation 560 (V), Encore, and Ultra aircraft. Originally developed for the United States Military UC-35 aircraft, the STC brings FANS 1/A+ and CPDLC capability, international internet connectivity, a new cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder combo unit to the Citation 560 (V), Encore, and Ultra.
Flight Data Systems named Pete Ring vice president of sales and marketing. A member of the AEA board of directors, Ring will transition from his current role as vice president of business development and chief strategy officer at
FreeFlight Systems to Flight Data Systems, both of which are part of the greater
ACR Group.
Duncan Aviation finalized a further three-year sales and service agreement with Meggitt PLC for the supply of Securaplane Technologies. Duncan Aviation also partnered with
Gogo Business Aviation to provide new installation options for the Gogo AVANCE L3 and the Gogo AVANCE Smart Cabin System. The Engineering & Certification Services teams at Duncan Aviation are currently amending three existing STCs for the Gogo AVANCE L5 Wi-Fi system. Duncan Aviation also published a new podcast called, “COVID-19 Effect on Aircraft Sales,” available through its COVID-19 special edition podcast series.
Peregrine and Lee Aerospace have joined forces during this time of COVID-19 to deliver Aviation Clean Air System installation data and STCs for aircraft not currently covered by ACA's STCs. The ACA system has been installed aftermarket in the Gulfstream G650/550/450 family of aircraft for the past five years.
FreeFlight Systems promoted Ashley Ring to vice president of sales and marketing. She has been with FreeFlight Systems for nine years and was previously director of sales. She will take on the additional roles of communications, brand management and market positioning.
Elliott Aviation hired Brian Leitschuck as regional sales manager for the Midwest region. He has nearly 20 years of aviation experience including positions with Duncan Aviation, Engineering Resources Inc., and Constant Aviation.
Constant Aviation completed its 17th 7,500-cycle inspection of the Bombardier Challenger 300, more than any other MRO in the world, according to the company. With nearly 800 Challenger 300 series aircraft having been delivered worldwide since 2004, many are reaching 7,500 flight cycles.
WireMasters is investing to expand its connector offering. In addition to offering QPL build-to-order D38999 and 26482 Series II connectors, WireMasters has become a global distributor for Ella Engineering.
Fargo Jet Center’s Part 145 aviation repair station received certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, via a recommendation by the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office.
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Appareo announced the release of a new product line of Conexus Aircraft Communication Units. These units are lightweight computing and communications devices that function as a data acquisition system for flight data monitoring or flight operations quality assurance programs for fleet operators, or as a telematic and connectivity product for airframe manufacturers. The first product in this line, the ACU-200, is already being installed in multiple aircraft.
Garmin announced the addition of new features to the Garmin Pilot app on Apple mobile devices. New enhancements to the document viewer allow customers to configure folders so they can more easily organize documents such as pilot’s guides, cockpit reference guides and more, within the app.
JetSupport has extended its Part 145 maintenance organization approval with the Cessna Citation 680 series.
Robotic Skies, the global MRO network for commercial unmanned aircraft systems, and Autonodyne LLC, an aviation engineering firm with expertise in unmanned aerial system and software design and certification, announced a partnership. The companies will develop field maintenance and other support services for Autonodyne’s mission-critical systems and solutions.
Satcom Direct signed a deal making it the sole connectivity supplier for Avcon Jet, the Austria-headquartered aircraft management and charter operator. SD is now exclusively supplying all connectivity tools for the company, including voice and data services, flight deck communications and cybersecurity solutions.
ACI Jet announced the successful addition of a 2008 Bombardier Global Express XRS business jet to the company's charter fleet. This aircraft, ACI Jet's fourth actively managed Global Express available for charter, brings the company's large-cabin offerings from California to nine.
Metrojet Ltd. in Hong Kong completed a 4C inspection on a Gulfstream G650ER in the midst of its battle against COVID-19, working within all of the unprecedented aviation safety constrains and measures.
Premier Aircraft opened a new aircraft sales and maintenance facility at Meacham International Airport. The company opened its hangar doors May 11 to customers and has since performed aircraft maintenance on five Diamond aircraft during its first few days of operation.
AeroBrigham announced the contract award of systems integration for nine Bell 429 helicopters destined for the Jamaica Defence Force. The company has inducted and is performing work on the initial two airframes at its main facility in Decatur, Texas.
Avotek announced that
Transport Category Aircraft Systems 4th edition will be available for order in July and can be preordered now.
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AEA Opens the Door to Your Future: AEA.net/Jobs
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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?
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Need to Post a Job? The AEA Works for You!
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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.
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Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including government-certified international repair stations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.
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Contact:
Aircraft Electronics Association
3570 NE Ralph Powell Road
Lee's Summit, MO 64064
Phone: 816-347-8400
Fax: 816-347-8405
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Advertising:
Rachel Hill, AEA director of advertising
Phone: 816-366-5109
The "AEA Wired" e-newsletter is published twice a month by the AEA.
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