The AEA Connect Conferences are where aviation's technology experts gather for technical training from leading avionics, instrument and test equipment manufacturers. These two-day events allow technicians and business owners the opportunity to learn industry best practices; connect with regional sales and product support representatives; satisfy training requirements; see the latest products and services; and receive important updates on the most current regulatory news affecting their business.

The AEA Canada Connect Conference is set for Aug. 25-26, at the Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites. Advance registration is open for both attendees and exhibitors. More...

On Aug. 2, 2022, Nav Canada confirmed that due to supply chain impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the previously announced implementation dates for the ADS-B Out performance mandate have been adjusted for Class A and B airspace. Citing supply chain limitations and backlogs to acquire and install the appropriate transponder, as well as current equipage levels in each class of airspace, Nav Canada has amended the effective date to equip with ADS-B. As a result, the mandate will come into effect as follows:

The installation and maintenance of ADS-B will be a major topic of discussion at the upcoming AEA Canada Connect Conference in Toronto, Aug. 25-26. More...

The Phoenix Convention Center will host the 68th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show March 18-21, 2025. Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Arizona, it is one of the 25 largest convention venues in the United States and offers nearly 900,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space on a campus that spans more than 2 million square feet. It will mark the second time the Valley of the Sun has hosted the event, as the AEA Convention will return to Phoenix for the first time since 1979.

The fifth-largest city in the United States, Phoenix has nonstop airline service from 80 U.S. and 20 international destinations. The Phoenix Convention Center is 4 miles from Sky Harbor International Airport. The headquarters hotel will be the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. It is the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guest rooms and is located one block from the Phoenix Convention Center. More...

Advance your career and industry knowledge by earning a certification provided by ASTM International. These certifications demonstrate the knowledge base of the advanced aerospace technician and promote integrity, safety, and professionalism in the aerospace workforce.

Repair stations and aviation maintenance professionals across the industry use these certifications to recognize qualified and competent individuals. The FAA formally recognizes the AET certification as equivalent to formal training when showing eligibility for the issuance of a repairman certificate. Exams are free for AEA Central Connect attendees, courtesy of the AEA Educational Foundation. To register for this two-day event in Kansas City, Missouri, click here.

The AEA’s online training platform called AERO, short for the Aerospace Education Resource Online system, allows users to train at their own pace and operates like a personal learning management system. A dozen new courses that took place at this year's AEA Convention in New Orleans are now available, including OEM technical sessions; Troubleshooting Antennas & Transmission Lines; Marketing Beyond the Runway; How to Succeed in Business (Aviation) Without Really Trying; Clarity is Magnetic -- A Discussion in Leadership & Personal Development; and Airplanes or Marketing: It’s All About the LIFT.

Convention attendees may access the sessions recorded at AEA New Orleans for free, and those AEA members who could not attend the convention may purchase them. Training content is exclusive to AEA members at aea.net/aero with a member login and password. AEA AERO will continue to add and update content to help members accomplish their training goals. Members with questions about the new AERO online training system may contact Aaron Ward directly at aaronw@aea.net. More...

There’s a little-known but readily available source for a steady stream of work. It takes a bit of effort and commitment on your part to get, but the payoff is the guarantee to get paid for your work. The source is the U.S. government and its seemingly endless array of civil and military aircraft and helicopters.

“There are a lot of opportunities available for avionics shops to work with the various government and military operators,” stated Terry Stehilk, government contract manager for Duncan Aviation. “People are often put off by the thought of working with the government, but aside from having to pay greater attention to all the paperwork and documentation, it’s just like working for any other customer. Most anything Duncan Aviation can do, we do for the various military commercial derivatives and government branches – everything from overhauling and rebuilding components to complete aircraft airframe, cabin, and avionics upgrades and refurbishing.” More...

Virtually from the beginning of opening South Carolina Avionics Services, Janson Finkbeiner has been blessed with success. What began as a small shop providing mobile avionics services for aircraft operators quickly grew to a million-dollar business with a full maintenance schedule. In August 2021, Finkbeiner relocated his thriving Federal Aviation Administration Part 145 repair station an hour away to Sumter, South Carolina, setting the stage for another decade of rapid growth.

“In Orangeburg, we worked out of three small T-hangars,” said Finkbeiner, an aircraft and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization and nearly 20 years of experience in aviation. “We tried everything to expand, but it just wasn’t possible.”

SCAS provides aircraft maintenance and avionics installations and repairs for single- and twin-engine pistons and turboprops. It’s an authorized dealer for several avionics manufacturers, including Garmin, Avidyne, L3Harris, S-TEC, Aspen Avionics, Appareo and others. More...

The U.S. commercial space industry is growing at a remarkable pace, bringing with it not just the excitement of possible human space transportation but also new opportunities for skilled jobs and the potential transfer of technology and processes to other parts of the aviation industry.

While the more traditional aviation sectors sometimes approach space transport with cynicism, it’s certainly a "space" worth watching. More...

Dave Higdon, a longtime Avionics News contributor and a veteran aviation journalist, died July 26 at the age of 72. Higdon covered the aviation industry for more than 35 years. In addition to Avionics News, his contributions appeared in AvBuyer Magazine, World Aircraft Sales Magazine, and several others. He previously served as an aviation reporter with The Wichita Eagle and was an aviation editor with Knight-Ridder newspapers.

Higdon also appeared regularly and was a founding member of the "Uncontrolled Airspace" podcast. In 2016, he was the recipient of the National Business Aviation Association's Gold Wing Award for insightful reporting about business aviation. A GoFundMe page has been established to honor his legacy with a brick in his name at the Brown Arch in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. More...

Kent McIntyre, owner and president of Bevan Aviation in Wichita, Kansas, died July 5, 2022, at the age of 63. McIntyre purchased the company in 2003 from Bob Patterson after working for him for 14 years. He was the recipient of the AEA Member of the Year award in 2013, which was presented at the AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A memorial scholarship in his name has been established with the AEA Educational Foundation. Donations can be made to:

AEA Educational Foundation

c/o Kent McIntyre Memorial Scholarship

3570 NE Ralph Powell Rd.

Lee’s Summit, MO 64064

Published annually by the Aircraft Electronics Association, the 2022-23 edition of the AEA Pilot's Guide was recently unveiled. This year marks the 20th annual edition of 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. The publication helps pilots and aircraft owners make better buying decisions and locate nearly 1,300 AEA member companies in more than 40 countries, including government-certified repair stations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. It also includes the manufacturers and distributors of these products, as well as technical schools and universities, engineers and consultants for the industry.

Individuals residing in the United States may request a free copy of the AEA Pilot's Guide at aeapilotsguide.net/request.asp while supplies last. More...

The Aircraft Electronics Association is collaborating with NextOp to connect U.S. veterans and military members with career opportunities in the avionics industry. NextOp recruits, develops and places high-performing middle-enlisted (E-3 to E-7) leaders into industry careers.

For qualified candidates, NextOp employment coordinators will partner with enlisted service members and veterans through every step of the process until the individual finds, receives and accepts an offer of employment. For AEA businesses looking to hire, NextOp will support each company to develop and execute their veteran hiring and retention strategies.

Learn more from Patrick McManus, employment coordinator for NextOp, in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company. Listen...

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (3 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 a niche, this class has something for everyone.

Avionics Testing Fundamentals (Sold-Out)

This course is designed for technicians who have experience with basic avionics installation practice, familiar with basic soldering skills and are looking for experience in LRU bench testing and avionics troubleshooting. Bench testing nav, VHF comm and transponders will be the focus of study. Technicians will fabricate a general-purpose test panel that they will use in the course. Attendees will keep their fabricated test panel at course completion.

Transponder Service Training (6 seats remain)

This course is designed for technicians who have experience with basic avionics installation practice and are looking for experience in transponder LRU bench testing, transponder flight line testing and aircraft troubleshooting. ADS-B transponders systems will be the focus of study. Attendees will keep their fabricated wire harness at course completion.

NAV/COMM Equipment Service Training (3 seats remain)

This course is designed for technicians who have experience with basic avionics installation practice and are looking for experience in avionics flight line testing, LRU bench testing and aircraft troubleshooting. VOR, localizer, glideslope, marker beacon and VHF comms will be the focus of study.

Pitot-Static, Transponder, and ADS-B: Testing & Inspection (6 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.

Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation (Sold-Out)

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 (20 seats remain)

This course is designed for entry-level avionics technicians or those looking for basic training on pitot-static and aircraft transponder systems. The 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 FAR 91.411 and 91.413 checks.

AVX-10K & IFR6000/4000 Operations Training (17 seats remain)

This day-and-a-half course is designed to provide maintenance personnel with the knowledge and skills required to operate and configure IFR6000 and IFR4000 to verify and maintain transponder, UAT, TCAS, DME, ILS, VOR, Comms and ELT. Plus a complete review all features and benefits of the AVX-10K Flight Line Test Set with emphasis on testing transponder (Mode S and ADS-B In/Out), UAT, TCAS and DME.

Aircraft Instrument Systems (15 seats remain)

This course is designed for avionics technicians or apprentices who want to learn more about aircraft instrument systems and better understand their operation, installation considerations, and maintenance to become more effective troubleshooters. From simple mechanical gauges to complex electrical and electronic systems, this course covers nearly every instrument system in an aircraft.

ADS-B Configuration, Testing & Troubleshooting (12 seats remain)

This course is designed for currently employed repair station personnel and installers of ADS-B systems. Approximately 7% of all general aviation ADS-B installations are non-compliant based on the FAA’s ADS-B Performance Monitoring System. This course focuses on the proper configuration and testing of ADS-B installations to ensure your installation meets the performance requirements and regulations. Also included are troubleshooting tips and tricks that will help you resolve the common problems found in ADS-B installations.

Digital Databus Theory & Analysis (15 seats remain)

As today’s modern airplanes become much more technologically advanced, so must the professionals who maintain them. The advanced avionics and instrumentation systems used in these aircraft rely on various forms of digital databus communication. Understanding digital databus theory is becoming more and more important for avionics technicians, and even A&P mechanics, to effectively test and troubleshoot these highly advanced aircraft systems.

Certified Repair Station Training (21 seats remain)

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 plan to attend.

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. Free resume posting is available. 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.