On Jan. 11, the Federal Aviation Administration published the long-awaited proposal to amend the applicability of Safety Management System regulations to include aircraft manufacturers and charter, commuter and air tour operators. Noticeably absent from the proposal is Part 145 approved maintenance organizations.

SMS is a set of policies and procedures where companies identify, monitor and address potential operational hazards early, before they become serious problems. U.S. airlines have been required to have SMS since 2018. The rule would support the FAA’s preventive approach that detects and corrects potential safety issues before they result in accidents or incidents. 

The proposed rule goes beyond the requirements of the Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act of 2020, which directed the FAA to mandate SMS only for aircraft manufacturers. The rule also addresses recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and independent review panels. Compliance times would vary between one and two years after the rule took effect, depending on the operation. The public comment period on the proposed rule will run for 60 days.

The AEA is reviewing the proposal and will be updating the membership when an in-depth understanding of the proposal is completed. More...

This morning, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to pause all domestic departures until 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 11, to allow the agency to validate the integrity of flight and safety information and restore the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system following an outage.

By 8:50 a.m. Eastern Time, the FAA announced that "Normal air traffic operations are resuming gradually across the United States following an overnight outage to the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions system that provides safety information to flight crews. The ground stop has been lifted. The agency continues to look into the cause of the initial problem." More...

The cooperation between AEROTEAM Training Solutions and the AEA rises to the next level in 2023, providing a tailored training offering to the European AEA community. ATS is offering a wide range of technical training (initial and continuation), tailored to meet the EASA regulatory requirements.

The aim for ATS and AEA is not to merely provide a regulatory tick-mark, as the training is based on high-quality classroom training, often featuring the popular MAYDAY Training Tools. The AEA enables access to the wide range of training courses for its members, at a fixed 25% discount via the AEA membership. All courses are available at ATS’ headquarters in Billund, Denmark, or locally at the AEA member upon a case-by-case request. AEA members may find a complete list of scheduled training courses at https://aeroteam.dk. In order to obtain the discount, members must register for a training course and apply the following code upon checkout: AEAats23. More...

This scholarship honors Monte Mitchell’s service of more than 40 years to the Aircraft Electronics Association and the general aviation industry. It will be awarded to an AEA member employee.

The scholarship will cover a full registration to attend the AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Orlando, April 24-27. It covers registration fees along with travel and hotel expenses.

The award recognizes an AEA member employee for their exemplary job performance and pursuit of professional development. This is an annual award to be given prior to the AEA Convention. Application...

The annual Avionics News Technical Training Exam is now available for avionics technicians and AEA members. By completing the exam, which covers regulatory and technical topics featured in the 2022 issues of Avionics News, technicians can get a head start on their FAA-accepted training. Individuals who complete the exam and score 85% or higher receive credit toward their repair station training program requirements, IA renewal, FAA AMT awards, and the AEA Avionics Training Excellence Award.

Access to the test takes place for AEA members through the AERO platform, which allows exams to be graded in real time, certificates to be downloaded instantly, and a record to be retained for each participant. Don’t have all 12 issues of Avionics News from the past year? No problem. They are all available in the digital archives right at your fingertips. To take the test, click here.

So, what differentiates the repair station from the competition? This is a discussion clarifying the difference between certification versus qualification. Many people use these terms incorrectly, making certification and qualification synonymous. Tens of thousands may be certificated to perform a maintenance task, but only a fraction are truly qualified. Thousands of repair stations may be certificated to perform a maintenance task, but on any given day, only a few hundred are qualified.

Avionics maintenance is a safety-critical specialization requiring highly skilled technicians operating in a quality environment. The products are expensive, and in today’s supply chain, hard to replace. The full functionality and reliability are dependent on trained technicians utilizing the best practices in configuration control. The value of a repair station’s quality management system and the confidence that it should provide to the customer cannot be understated. More...

If you have even the most tertiary interest in airborne connectivity, you’re familiar with Gogo Business

Aviation. With the recent completion of its CONUS network of 150 towers, it’s the first company to offer a complete 5G air-to-ground network specifically developed for business and personal aviation. While that’s an impressive accomplishment, it’s not Gogo’s first go-around with innovating the communications industry.

“Gogo’s been providing airborne connectivity for nearly 30 years, and most of that time has been with a focus on business aviation,” explained Jim MacDougall, Gogo Business Aviation’s vice president of product management. “We now have over 6,700 aircraft on our ATG network, and nearly 4,500 of them also have our L-Band (Iridium and Inmarsat) satellite system. About 1,000 of those L-Band customers are located in 83 countries around the world.

“From the time we launched our first air-to-ground network, innovation has been our guiding mission. So, when we started looking at what’s next – while satellite connectivity is not new to us, high-speed broadband satellite is – we asked: How could we bring all of our strengths together to create a technology solution that would deliver an exceptional connectivity experience wherever our customers fly in the world?” More...

It’s been a whirlwind year for Rob Nelson, who took over his friend’s southern Illinois Part 145 repair station in 2021. In the brief time since, Nelson has built a reputation for providing high-quality avionics services, added staff, expanded into more hangar space, earned back the repair station’s aircraft maintenance contract from the airport, and won the bid to offer flight training.

When talking with Nelson in September, he was still excited a week after receiving his new repair station certificate. It meant the FAA had officially accepted his repair station manual changes and he could now operate under the name Enhanced Aero rather than Southern Sky Aviation. It’s a business name Nelson is partial to because he used it previously when tinkering on small projects in his garage. More...

Advance registration is available online for the 66th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, the largest gathering of aircraft electronics manufacturers, distributors and approved maintenance organizations in the world. It is the platform of choice for the introduction of new avionics products and services coming to market in 2023. The event will take place at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, April 24-27, 2023.

Attendees must register by April 5 to receive the advance registration rate of $795 (AEA member rate) for a full convention registration, a savings of $100 per person off the on-site registration fee. The attendee full registration package includes: four days of technical training sessions; exhibit hall entrance for two full days with lunch; and networking with manufacturers and distributors. More...

ALTO Aviation is an industry leader in designing and manufacturing high-end cabin audio and entertainment systems for business aviation aircraft. Now celebrating 25 years in business, the company offers a wide range of products sold to most major OEMs and installed by authorized retrofit companies. ALTO also manufactures precision sheet metal and machined parts for multiple industries and aerospace.

An AEA member company since 2003, ALTO Aviation President Don Hamilton and Vice President of Engineering and R&D Steve Scarlata share their company’s success story in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, Moog Company. Listen...

Need some financial assistance with your education? The Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation will award multiple scholarships for the 2023-24 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. The deadline to submit a scholarship application is April 1, 2023. More...

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...

Primary Flight Display Installation & Configuration (3 seats remain)

Technicians will learn how to plan, install, interface, configure and check out an installation of a primary flight display, EHSI and GPS/Nav/Com consisting of dual Garmin GI 275, a Garmin GTN 650 touchscreen, and a Garmin GTX 345 transponder. Designed for technicians who have experience with avionics installation practices and are looking for more training integrating common general aviation installations.

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 (sold-out)

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 (4 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, RVSM, and ADS-B: Testing & Inspection (sold-out)

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. Preparing and performing RVSM inspection tasks. ADS-B session covering installation, wiring and return to service review.

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (7 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.

Safety Management System Coordinator Training (13 seats remain)

The AEA has developed a proprietary SMS program designed for maintenance organizations, sized for small businesses and leveraged by the 900-strong repair station membership. This program has been coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada Civil Aviation, as well as discussions with the Australian government's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for future acceptance. The training will provide a solid overview of modern safety principles, the International Civil Aviation Organization guidance on SMS implementation and the use and operation of the proprietary AEA SMS program.

Basic Wiring and 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 (6 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.

Aircraft Instrument Systems (14 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 (14 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 (25 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.