Sept. 25, 2019

Keeping the general aviation industry connected

AET Certification and Endorsement Exams Available for FREE at AEA Connect Conferences in Kansas City and Daytona Beach All attendees at the upcoming AEA Connect Conferences in Kansas City (Oct. 2-3) and Daytona Beach (Nov. 4-5) will have the opportunity to take the Aircraft Electronics Technician certification and endorsement exams free of charge, a $175 value, courtesy of the AEA Educational Foundation. Advance your career and industry knowledge by earning a certification provided by ASTM's National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT). These certifications demonstrate the knowledge base of the advanced aerospace technician and promote integrity, safety, and professionalism in the aerospace workforce. The FAA formally recognizes the AET certification as equivalent to formal training when showing eligibility for the issuance of a repairman certificate.  More...

The View from Washington: Professionalism In a recent article in an aviation journal regarding FAA-certified mechanics, the author, a renowned pilot who also holds a mechanic certificate, focused on the lack of oversight and what a mechanic could get away with. The article emphasized common perceptions and what the author perceives to take place when no one is watching. Fortunately, while the authorities have a very distinctive role in aviation safety, the professionalism of the maintenance industry (as well as every other sector of the industry) is truly the core of aviation safety, not the implied oversight. Read the View from Washington column by AEA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Ric Peri in this month's edition of Avionics News. More...

AEA South Pacific Connect Conference set for Nov. 18-19 in Adelaide, Australia The AEA plays host to its sixth and final Connect Conference of the year, Nov. 18-19, in Adelaide, Australia. Aviation’s technology experts will gather for the AEA South Pacific Connect Conference at the Hilton Adelaide Hotel. Join us for the premier avionics event that connects shop owners, managers and lead technicians in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific region. Registration is now open to avionics professionals who want to attend and for companies to exhibit. More...

AEA to Distribute ASTM Standard F3361 to Attendees at Connect Conferences in U.S. Upon publication of ASTM standard F3361, Classifying Alterations for In-Service Aircraft Under FAA Authority Oversight, the AEA recently petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration to recognize it as an acceptable means of compliance for the evaluation of alterations while making a determination of major or minor. As an FAA-recognized acceptable means of compliance, this document is essentially the same as if it was published as an advisory circular. The AEA will be conducting training on this new ASTM standard at each of the AEA Connect Conferences in the United States. In addition, AEA repair station members attending the AEA Connect Conferences will receive a copy of this ASTM standard. The next Connect Conference takes place Oct. 2-3 in Kansas City, Missouri. More...

406 MHz Distress Beacons False Alerts: Risking the Lives of Our Responders With well over 610,000 registered distress beacons in the United States and thousands more unregistered, it is inevitable that false alerts and non-distress activations will occur. The goal in the SARSAT community is to significantly lower that number so that false alerts are no longer the norm but represent a far lower percentage of total distress alerts detected by the SARSAT system. The SARSAT system treats every distress beacon as an actual event, forwarding that distress alert to the search and rescue responders. This is to ensure that a timely response is coordinated if there is a distress … a person in trouble at the other end of that distress beacon activation. In 2018, there were 16,984 distress alerts in the United States. Of that number, only 331 were actual distress events that led to a life being saved. While a vast majority of these non-distress events is harmless in intent, they all place responders lives and equipment at risk. More...

Revision to ADS-B Out Equipment and Use Requirements For avionics shops that support law enforcement organizations, what is important to understand? Learn the answer to this frequently asked question in this month's Avionics News. More...

AEA Hosts Part 145 Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee Meeting On Sept. 11-13, 2019, the AEA hosted the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee that has been tasked by the Federal Aviation Administration to review and reconcile FAA repair station regulations and guidance. The meeting took place at the AEA’s international headquarters in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, is the co-chairman of this working group along with Sarah MacLeod, executive director of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association. The Part 145 ARAC working group is examining all internal and external guidance material related to 14 CFR Part 145, and it will recommend improvements to ensure all guidance documents: Align with the regulations as well as U.S. law and applicable executive orders. Are numbered to establish a relationship between the guidance and the applicable regulation. Consistently communicate compliance expectations to agency personnel as well as the public. Consider repair station oversight in the context of the size and work of each certificate holder. More...

Request Your FREE AEA Pilot’s Guide For the past 17 years, the Aircraft Electronics Association has published the AEA Pilot’s Guide, 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. Thousands of copies are distributed each year at several industry trade shows and to all AEA member companies at no charge. The 2019-20 edition is now available. Individuals residing in the United States may request a free copy of the AEA Pilot’s Guide while supplies last. More...

On the Radar: Upcoming Industry Events

AEA U.S. Central Connect Conference Kansas City, Missouri Oct. 2-3, 2019 Online registration is available through Sept. 25. Hotel reservations should be made at the Hilton Kansas City Airport. More...

NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition Las Vegas, Nevada Oct. 22-24, 2019 NBAA-BACE will bring together more than 23,000 attendees for the largest business aviation event in the world. If you are an aircraft owner or considering using an aircraft for business; flight department personnel; a manufacturer or service provider; or a student considering this career path, experience three exciting days in Las Vegas. More...

AEA U.S. East Connect Conference Daytona Beach, Florida Nov. 4-5, 2019 Online registration is available through Oct. 29. Hotel reservations should be made at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront by Oct. 2. More...

AEA South Pacific Connect Conference Adelaide, Australia Nov. 18-19, 2019 Online registration is available through Nov. 8. Hotel reservations should be made at the Hilton Adelaide Hotel by Oct. 17. More...

AEA Europe Connect Conference Cologne, Germany Jan. 23-24, 2020 Online registration is available through Jan. 17. Hotel reservations should be made at the Hyatt Regency Cologne. More...

AEA International Convention & Trade Show Nashville, Tennessee March 24-27, 2020 Aviation's technology experts will convene at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel for the 63rd annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, the largest gathering of general aviation avionics manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations in the world. Avionics professionals will have access to more than 100 hours of technical training and professional development courses. Early-bird registration will save attendees $180 per person off the on-site fee and is available through Dec. 31. More...

Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) Shanghai, China April 21-23, 2020 ABACE brings together thousands of business aviation leaders, entrepreneurs and other purchase decision-makers. In partnership with the Shanghai Airport Authority and co-hosted by the National Business Aviation Association and the Asian Business Aviation Association, ABACE takes place at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre. More...

Nova Avionics Shines with New Owners, New Location Pilots Ken Lantz and Vernon Mitchell have always looked to the sky for inspiration. Even their aircraft service centers – Southern Star Aviation and Nova Avionics – are named for the stars, albeit by chance. Although Lantz and Mitchell spend most of their time flying, they’re very much grounded in the bolts and bearings, fittings and flanges of aircraft maintenance. “I was born into aviation,” Lantz said. “My dad was a private pilot and an aircraft mechanic and had several small businesses. I started hanging out at the airport with him at 5 years old, crawling back into tight places and holding wrenches. I soloed on my 16th birthday. I had my first corporate flying job by age 19. We moved from West Virginia to central Florida in an airplane and a Volkswagen. I always knew I wanted to be in aviation and to fly.”  More...

Aviation Ace: Frank Denk of TQ Aircraft Electronics TQ Aircraft Electronics is one of the AEA’s newest members, but the German company and its parent, the TQ Group, is far from new in the avionics and electronics markets. In fact, electronics from TQ are today flying aboard virtually every current airliner from both Boeing and Airbus, as well as some 14,000 general aviation aircraft in Europe.  And today, Frank Denk brings his decades of management and electronics industry experience to make TQ as known in the United States as it is overseas. In addition to aircraft electronics, the company is deeply involved in robotics, mobility, embedded modules and automation.  More...

Avionics Training and Professional Development Classes Register quickly, as most classes sell out!

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (This course is sold-out!) Oct. 28-30, 2019 Lee's Summit, Missouri This course is designed for the aircraft technician or homebuilder who is looking for guidance in completing an installation on an experimental aircraft with the popular Garmin G3X Touch large format flight display system. From the do-it-yourselfer to the avionics shop looking to carve a niche in this ever-expanding market, this class has something for everyone.

Certified Repair Station Training Dec. 9-13, 2019 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 program will review the regulations applicable to a U.S.-certificated repair station engaged in maintenance, preventive maintenance and alterations of U.S.-registered aircraft, components or accessories. It 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.

Avionics Installation and Integration Training Jan. 27-29, 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 touchscreen nav/comm/GPS, Garmin GTX 345 transponder and an Aspen EFD1000 primary flight display.

Pitot-Static and Transponder Testing and Inspection with ADS-B Implementation Jan. 30, 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 to meet the mandate.

RVSM Maintenance Jan. 31, 2020 Lee's Summit, Missouri Attendees will be introduced to the regulations, documentation, test equipment and maintenance practices associated with performing RVSM maintenance for aircraft. This course assumes the attendee has good operating knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations 91.411, 91.413 and 91.227 paragraph (d).

$100 Mystery Make and Model Challenge Congratulations to Ernie Neal with Alliance Air Charter, who won a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Southeast Aerospace, for being the first person to submit the correct answer in this month's Mystery Make and Model challenge featured in the previous issue of AEA Wired. The unit is an APP-80. Avionics technicians can put their "inside" knowledge to work in the next issue of AEA Wired. Stay tuned for the next Mystery Make and Model challenge!

News from AEA Member Companies

Western Aircraft, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, is now authorized to work on Williams International FJ44 engines for the various models of Cessna Citation Jets. Collins Aerospace is teaming with satellite operator SES to bring business aviation customers the fastest broadband speeds available within the United States. The two companies are launching LuxStream — the only service that offers speeds up to 25 Mbps in the U.S. and 15 Mbps globally via SES’s managed Ku-band satellite network. Boeing will provide GainJet a suite of Jeppesen flight operation digital solutions including Operator, JetPlanner Pro, FliteDeck Pro X and Aviator to optimize their fleet operation.  The Angelus Corporation celebrated the groundbreaking of its new global headquarters in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, during a ceremony on Sept. 17.  Duncan Aviation announced that Rachael Weverka, longtime lead designer, will transition to the modifications sales team in Lincoln, Nebraska.

uAvionix received FAA STC approval for its tailBeacon integrated rear position light ADS-B Out solution. Much like the skyBeacon, the tailBeacon has been optimized for ease of installation times of less than one hour, including documentation, according to the company. FlightSafety International now offers safety and security training for flight crews and passengers of corporate aircraft. This new Abduction Prevention course is offered by the Skydas Group in cooperation with FlightSafety. Michele Posey was promoted to executive director of sales. Premier Aircraft achieved record Mooney sales for August 2019. The authorized Mooney dealer based in Florida, six new Mooneys were sold in 30 days, a record that’s cleared all remaining new inventory.  Jupiter Avionics was ranked No. 104 on the Growth 500 by Canadian Business and Maclean’s, the definitive ranking of Canada’s fastest-growing companies. Jupiter made the list with a five-year revenue growth of 979%, ranked No. 13 in the country among manufacturers and No. 2 in the aerospace industry. West Star Aviation announced the retirement of Robert Rasberry, chairman of the board. He will continue with West Star’s board of directors as chairman emeritus and join Norwest Equity Partners, a middle-market equity investment firm and parent of West Star Aviation, as a senior adviser supporting NEP’s continued interest in aviation-related investments. Jason Cohen was promoted to Bombardier Global Program Manager at the Grand Junction, Colorado, facility.

Astronics Corp. recently executed an agreement with Collins Aerospace to provide its Ku-band tail-mounted satellite communications antenna technology for the Collins Aerospace KuSAT-2000 solution. Astronics AeroSat will supply the technology for this system. Astronics also announced that the board of directors approved a new share repurchase program, authorizing the company to repurchase in the aggregate up to $50 million of its outstanding common stock. Also, Tonit Calaway was appointed to its board of directors. Flying Colours Corp. appointed Graham Dickie as its new chief financial officer.  Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. marked the opening of its new MRO facility at its headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Gulfstream East Campus, opened to accommodate fleet growth, has been operational since Sept. 11. StandardAero Component Services recently celebrated the grand opening of the company’s 30,000-square-foot expansion of its Hillsboro, Ohio, engine component manufacturing and engine component repair facility. The National Aeronautic Association announced that Major General Michael Collins has been selected as the recipient of the 2019 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for “his lifelong dedication to aerospace and public service in the highest order, both as a pioneering astronaut and inspired director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.”

AEA Opens the Door to Your Future: AEA.net/Jobs 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...

Need to Post a Job? The AEA Works for You! 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.

About the AEA 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.

Contact: Aircraft Electronics Association 3570 NE Ralph Powell Road Lee's Summit, MO 64064 Phone: 816-347-8400 Fax: 816-347-8405 Email:  info@aea.net Web:  aea.net

Advertising: Rachel Hill, AEA advertising executive Phone: 816-366-5109 Email:  rachelh@aea.net Subscribe to "AEA Wired"   The "AEA Wired" e-newsletter is published twice a month by the AEA.

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