Nashville is Music City, and the Aircraft Electronics Association has a hit in the making. Check the latest schedule and get your ticket to the biggest show in avionics. The event takes place March 24-27, 2020, at Marriott’s Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

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 manufacturers and distributors. More...

The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for the remote identification of unmanned aircraft systems. The remote identification of unmanned aircraft systems in the airspace of the United States is intended to address safety, national security, and law enforcement concerns regarding the further integration of these aircraft into the airspace of the United States while also enabling greater operational capabilities.

Submit comments on or before March 2, 2020. More...

Two aviation industry organizations announced new senior executives this week. Allison McKay will become CEO of Women in Aviation International effective Feb. 18, 2020. McKay will be responsible for the future strategic vision of the 14,500-member strong organization. She previously served as vice president of the Helicopter Association International Foundation since 2015, commissioning the first academic study of staffing projections for the rotorcraft industry as well as creating a workforce development initiative.  More...

In addition, Timothy R. Obitts was named president and CEO for the National Air Transportation Association, succeeding Gary Dempsey. Obitts most recently served as NATA’s chief operating officer, where he oversaw the day-to-day operation of the association. Prior to joining NATA in November 2014, Obitts served as the managing partner of Gammon & Grange, P.C., a national practice law firm specializing in nonprofit, trade association, and communications law. More...

A capability, the dictionary tells us, is the ability to do something well, in a skilled and competent way. It can be “a capacity for being used or developed,” but it can also be “an ability or feature not yet developed or utilized.” 

A commodity, on the other hand, is an economic good, “any useful thing,” an article of commerce. While it has useful value, something people buy and sell, its wide availability typically leads to smaller profit margins, making it subject to marketing exploitation. In the era of digital avionics, these definitions seem to proscribe the marketing lifespan of must-have functions that all too soon become expected, standard features.  More...

Human factors management is not safety management! Yes, the lack of attention to human factors in a human-centric program can and often does have a detrimental effect on the safe outcome of any task. And yes, the safety regulators require that human-centric businesses address human factors. But more importantly, the lack of attention to human factors will show in the lack of efficiency in the organization. I suggest the effective management of human factors is instrumental in the success of any maintenance organization. I would also submit that when you look at any successful business, it has implemented, directly or indirectly, human factors controls to encourage efficiency, minimize failure and reduce rework. Check out the latest column by Ric Peri in this month's Avionics News. More...

Avionics professionals will want to save the following dates for the 2020 AEA Connect Conferences that were recently announced. Online registration will be available in the near future. A date and location for the South Pacific Conference also will be announced soon. 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)

TBA: AEA South Pacific More...

Dozens of business aircraft set a historic precedent last October by departing the 2019 National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition using sustainable aviation fuel. The event marked the most prolific single-event use of sustainable aviation fuel in business aircraft and highlighted its viability in all markets.

The event also demonstrated the industry’s lack of awareness of sustainable aviation fuel, especially its availability and ease of use.

Here’s what you need to know about sustainable aviation fuel. More...

The Aircraft Electronics Association will award more than 20 scholarships totaling more than $100,000 for the 2020-21 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, 2020. 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...

It’s a warm beginning to winter in Anchorage, Alaska. In late November 2019, snow barely covers the peaks of the Chugach Mountains while green grass dots lawns and local parks. 

On the south side of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, technicians at Accessory Services clean and test starters, voltage regulators and blower motors. Until recently, the Part 145 repair station specialized in component repair, overhaul and testing of Class 1, 2, and 3-rated accessories. The service center just received Federal Aviation Administration approval to add Class 1, 2, and 3 radio capabilities – communications, navigation and radar, respectively – for limited airframe and limited emergency equipment. More...

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?

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...

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft

Feb. 17-19, 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.

Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation (This course is sold-out!)

March 2-4, 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. The 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

March 5-6, 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.

Bench Basics and Flight Line Troubleshooting

May 4-6, 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.

Pitot-Static and Transponder Testing and Inspection with ADS-B Implementation

May 7, 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.

IFR6000 Operations

May 8, 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 systems.

Certified Repair Station Training

June 1-5, 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.

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.

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 [email protected]. 

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.