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Keeping the general aviation industry connected
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New Avionics Technologies Hit the Market
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Despite the fact that this year’s New Product Introduction session was not able to proceed as planned in late March at the Aircraft Electronics Association's Convention due to COVID-19, several AEA member companies moved forward with their new product announcements.
Avionics News put together a summary that captures some of these new avionics products and services recently introduced to the market, covering a wide range of categories and price points.
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Understanding and Managing Contract Maintenance; Next in AEA’s Webinar Series
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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.
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.
Managing Risk – Tuesday, July 7 (3 p.m. EDT)
Fundamental to today’s aviation safety philosophy, understanding how to manage and mitigate risk is required to effectively operate a modern repair station and an essential element of SMS. This session will provide the understanding of the risk management process and provide you with the tools to effectively and efficiently incorporate risk management into your everyday operations.
Root Cause Analysis – Tuesday, July 21 (3 p.m. EDT)
Root cause analysis is a structured process to identify root causes of an event that resulted in an undesired outcome and develop corrective actions. This process is used to investigate events, errors or audit findings, to determine (1) the validity of the error (or suspected error); (2) determine the cause of the error; and (3) aid in developing an effective mitigation. Without understanding the root cause of an issue, the mitigation is only a guess.
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Parts Fabricated During Maintenance or Alterations
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Question: Can a repair station manufacture a part as part of maintenance?
Answer: As with all regulations, words matter. 14 CFR §21.9 does allow for the “fabrication” of an article as long as it is consumed in the repair or alteration of the contracted product. As a function of avionics installations, every shop should be familiar with the provisions to fabricate brackets, shelves and instrument panels.
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The View from Washington: Complacency
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Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, wrote about complacency in this month's
Avionics News. According to Peri, "As one of the 'Dirty Dozen' of human factors, the term complacency should not be new to anyone. While the Skybrary describes complacency as 'a feeling of self-satisfaction accompanied by a loss of awareness of potential dangers,' I suggest another view of complacency that can be just as destructive, if not more. And that is organizational complacency: We’ve always done it this way!
"As we continue to adapt to the new social normal, take this opportunity to look at your business and ask yourself, are you doing aircraft and avionics maintenance the same way you’ve always done it?"
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Take the 2019 GA and Part 135 Activity Survey
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There are only a few days left to submit responses for the 42nd annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey. Also, if you have three or more aircraft and have been receiving survey requests for each individual aircraft, there is a shorter version of the survey to complete for aggregate reporting.
This annual survey 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. It 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
[email protected].
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Orlando Aircraft Services Sees Upswing in Glass Panel Installs
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At Orlando Aircraft Services in Florida, Troy Webb looks over the summer maintenance schedule. He and his team had hoped to be dismantling the instrument panel of a special Beechcraft B-60 Duke. By now, bundles of wiring, a BendixKing EFS 40 and a King Silver Crown should have been pulled from the aircraft, but with the COVID-19 pandemic the owner is waiting.
“I certainly can appreciate his difficult decision to postpone considering the state the economy is in right now,” said Webb, who manages avionics sales and installations for the longtime family owned FAA-certified repair station.
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Kevin Miesbach Helps Customers Keep Systems Repaired, Working
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AEA members voted to honor Kevin Miesbach as the 2020 AEA Member of the Year. As components/OEM business development manager, Miesbach represents Duncan Aviation’s worldwide component repair and calibration services, a business comprised of thousands of customers operating a wide variety of systems from starter generators to weather radars. It all translates into a lot of customers, products and territory to cover.
Miesbach spends much of his time meeting with existing and potential customers and working with manufacturers to develop new service agreements, renew existing contracts and handle discrepancies.
“I also meet with our internal teams of tech reps, regional managers and satellite managers to figure out what opportunities are out there or that we should consider,” he explained. “I regularly meet with our business development team and component managers to understand our capacity and to ensure we’re living up to customer expectations.”
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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 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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AEA U.S. West Connect Conference
Irvine, California
Oct. 27-28, 2020
Join shop owners, managers and lead technicians for the latest regulatory and technical training at the Hilton Irvine Hotel. Advance registration is open through Oct. 22 for individuals to attend and for companies to exhibit.
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Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
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Did you know there are over 40,000 registered drones in Canada? There are just under 37,000 registered aircraft. It has taken less than 10 years to have this many drones registered, whereas it took 100 years to achieve those numbers for registered aircraft. It is a fast-growing industry, and the avionics community must be involved.
Transport Canada Civil Aviation is continuing to move forward with developing RPAS regulations to cover all aspects of this new entrant into the aviation industry. There is a dedicated team working on regulations and guidance. With the issuance of the new CAR Part IX last year covering drones up to 25 kilograms, they have moved on the bigger types. This will include pilot, maintenance and design approval regulations.
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EDMO Distributors Fulfills Essential Role
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Next year, EDMO Distributors joins an exclusive group of aviation companies still thriving after 50 years. Now, it’s celebrating another milestone – being named the AEA’s 2020 Associate Member of the Year.
Based in Spokane, Washington, EDMO has grown from a small aircraft electronics distributor to a global supplier serving commercial, corporate, military and general aviation markets.
“We serve aviation customers of all types in every facet of the industry,” said Mike Schmidt, vice president of sales and marketing. “Our primary customers are the local avionics shops that make up the majority of AEA’s membership.”
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$100 Mystery Make and Model Challenge
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Congratulations to Adam Breisch of Sterling Helicopter, 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 a King 8001 Marine Loran.
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!
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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
(5 seats remain)
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
(7 seats remain)
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
(8 seats remain)
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. 15-16, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
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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Honeywell formed a new business unit dedicated to the growing unmanned aerial systems and urban air mobility industries. Honeywell also launched its smallest, lightest satellite communications system yet, specifically designed for unmanned aerial vehicles. Weighing in at only 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds), the new system is 90% lighter than Honeywell’s smallest connectivity system and will bring some of the same connectivity capabilities enjoyed by larger aircraft to smaller unmanned vehicles in the air or on land. In addition, Honeywell is helping passengers, vehicles and cargo keep cool with its new Micro Vapor Cycle System. The MicroVCS is a lightweight, low-maintenance and energy-efficient thermal management system that uses advanced technology to generate cold air or liquid to cool cabins, electronic components and batteries. Honeywell also has begun in-flight testing of sensors that will guide urban air mobility vehicles to land without pilot intervention.
Garmin received FAA supplemental type certification for the GFC 500 autopilot in additional aircraft models to include the Piper PA-32RT-300 and PA-32RT-300T. This recent certification now approves the GFC 500 for installation in nearly all single-engine Piper PA-28 and PA-32 aircraft models.
ACR Electronics appointed Marc Medeiros vice president of ARTEX and promoted James Hunter to sales and product manager. Together, they bring over 55 years of aviation sales, operations and business development experience to the ARTEX brand.
West Star Aviation's Grand Junction, Colorado, Global Express team completed its first 240, 180 and 120-month inspections.
Duncan Aviation is celebrating 15 years of its Engine Exchange Program with a variety of summer incentives. Also, the company's engine Rapid Response Team network has experts strategically stationed around the country offering services to assist operators in getting their aircraft in flight-ready condition for when their flying activity resumes.
Thomas Global Systems received Japan Civil Aviation Bureau STC approval for the company’s TFD-7000 Series plug-and-play LCD flight displays for Boeing 767 CRT-equipped aircraft.
CubCrafters has decided to certify and offer a nosewheel option for its flagship Part 23 certified aircraft, the CC-19 XCub.
uAvionix filed a TSO application for the tailBeaconX Mode S and ADS-B transponder. tailBeaconX builds on the skyBeacon/tailBeacon formula, utilizing existing aircraft lighting locations for mounting and access to aircraft power for reduced installation complexity and cost. tailBeaconX features an integrated Mode S transponder with 1090ES ADS-B Out for worldwide travel and flight above FL180.
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Wysong Enterprises finished the completion of Helicopter Flight Services’ (HeliNY) H155 aircraft. The H155 is the fourth aircraft Wysong has completed for the New York City-based company in the last 12 months.
Shadin Avionics, based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was acquired by Gardner Standard LLC.
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology and Piper Aircraft announced an order for its first tranche of 22 factory-new training aircraft. To date, Spartan has taken delivery of 10 Piper Archers and two Piper Seminoles, with 10 additional Piper Archers expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Centura College, and Tidewater Tech have teamed together to donate 60 laptop computers to Kiwoko Citizen’s Private School in Uganda and Azalea Gardens Middle School in Norfolk.
EIT Avionics announced completion of FAA STC amendment to add FODR System Interface to the FreeFlight Systems’ RA 4000/4500 Radar Altimeter, for the Robinson R 44 Helicopter.
FlightSafety International was awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin for the design, development and manufacture of visual systems and displays for the new MC/EC-130J full-mission capable simulators. The simulators will be equipped with the FlightSafety VITAL 1150 image generator and CrewView collimated glass mirror display, and delivered to the United States Air Force Special Operations Command in 2022 and 2023.
Clay Lacy Aviation awarded scholarship funds for 22 students at the LAUSD’s Aircraft Mechanic School at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, and for four student pilots in the aviation science program at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California. Clay Lacy Aviation also added five Wi-Fi-equipped jets to its fleet of managed aircraft available for charter in Los Angeles and Boston.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. sold the last commercially available Gulfstream G550, clearing the way for production to wind down. The final commercial aircraft will be delivered to a customer in 2021.
Women in Aviation International’s Girls in Aviation Day will go on in 2020, despite the global pandemic. WAI chapters and corporate members will not host in-person events this year and will instead deliver a virtual experience through a new Aviation for Girls app that is free and available to all beginning Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020.
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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
[email protected].
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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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