The Aircraft Electronics Association is collaborating with one of its members, NextOp, to connect veterans and military members with career opportunities in the avionics industry. Founded in 2014, NextOp is a nonprofit organization engineered to meet the unprecedented employment challenges and opportunities facing military members and veterans. It recruits, develops and places high-performing middle-enlisted (E-3 to E-7) leaders into industry careers. NextOp’s goal is to bridge the gap between talented veterans and existing career opportunities. Through one-on-one mentorship, NextOp helps them understand how their training and experiences translate into valued qualifications in the workforce after their military commitment.

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. More...

Bill Hanf began his avionics career in the United States Marine Corps. Today, he is the owner and president of Green Mountain Avionics in Middlebury, Vermont, a company he founded in 2011.

During the recent AEA Convention in New Orleans, the association’s board of directors elected Hanf as its new chairman. Learn more about Hanf’s avionics career and how he plans to lead the association in the years ahead in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company. Listen...

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia recently published a request for public consultation on proposed Part 43 legislation — Maintenance of aircraft in private and aerial work operations.

CASA “wants your feedback to ensure the final policy (consulted earlier) has been accurately reflected in the regulation, Manual of Standards, and associated advisory materials.”

Comment by June 19, 2022. More...

The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking applications for two Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs aimed at developing and inspiring a more diverse pool of aviation maintenance technicians and pilots to join the next generation of aviation professionals. This is the FAA’s second funding opportunity for these programs. A total of $10 million is available for the grants.

The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants will prepare aviation maintenance technicians. The Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants will educate students to become pilots, aerospace engineers or unmanned aircraft systems operators. Eligible entities can submit applications at grants.gov through June 10, 2022. More...

The Federal Aviation Administration’s 44th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey will be closing in the next week, reporting on calendar year 2021. The GA Survey is the only source of information on the general aviation fleet, the number of hours flown, and the ways people use general aviation aircraft.

Data from this survey are used by governmental agencies and industry to:

The FAA and industry need accurate data on a broad range of aircraft. Participation is voluntary, and everyone who is contacted is encouraged to respond to the survey so that all aviation activity is represented. If you have questions, contact Tetra Tech at 800-826-1797 or email infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com.

As the world continued shaking off lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, the avionics industry assembled in New Orleans last March to reflect, reassess and regroup. In the face of lingering worldwide supply chain issues, realignments in employer/employee relationships and economic upheavals both large and small, many also came simply to celebrate that we’re still here and still making progress.

That progress was reflected in the annual new product introductions session during the first day of the 65th annual Aircraft Electronics Association International Convention & Trade Show. Read this month's Avionics News for the evidence from 29 companies that unveiled new products at the AEA Convention on March 28. More...

In the nation’s capital, things can go awry when federal agencies are still figuring out how to avoid radar altimeter interference as the big telecom companies roll out the latest in 5G cellphone technology. Former Federal Aviation Administrator Steve Dickson told the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation in February that the agency and aviation industry cautioned the Federal Communications Commission about possible 5G interference with radar altimeters in 2018 and supported related research efforts.

Dickson and the Department of Transportation asked the National Telecommunications & Information Administration in December 2020 to delay auctioning spectrum adjacent to where radar altimeters operate. The FAA urged the FCC to exercise caution and in December 2020 provided studies to back up its concerns on aviation safety. The auction went ahead, and Verizon and AT&T scheduled initial 5G deployment for December 2021. More...

At the Albertville Regional Airport in northeast Alabama, RainAir Avionics Services has been quietly expanding its capabilities over the last several years. It wasn’t always focused on growth. For more than two decades, the FAA-certified Part 145 repair station maintained a small group of private aircraft before it was acquired by local pilot and business-owner Brett Kelley in 2017.

Kelley operates BK Aerospace nearby, an aerospace-related design, engineering and manufacturing firm started by his father. The company works with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Department of Defense prime contractors such as Boeing and Northrop Grumman. RainAir fit nicely within the family’s expertise and came with significant growth potential. More...

Published annually by the Aircraft Electronics Association, the 2022-23 edition of the AEA Pilot's Guide will be unveiled with free distribution at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, July 25-31. AEA staff members will distribute thousands of complimentary copies to pilots and aircraft owners at the AEA's AirVenture booth, No. 2035/2036 in Hangar B at Wittman Regional Airport.

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...

To help owners of general aviation aircraft modernize their cockpits, the Aircraft Electronics Association will randomly award five aircraft owners with $1,000 toward an avionics upgrade during the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture Oshkosh, July 25-31, in Wisconsin.

Aircraft owners may enter to win one of the five $1,000 awards in Hangar B at Wittman Regional Airport, booth No. 2035/2036, beginning July 25. The AEA will announce one winner each day from July 25 through July 29 via its social media outlets on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Aircraft owners must be at least 18 years old to register to win. Each of the five winners must use an AEA-member avionics repair station to complete the installation. Each entry gives aircraft owners a chance to win one of the five daily drawings. For official rules and contest entry forms, visit the AEA's booth at AirVenture. More...

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.

To see the dates and locations for the AEA Connect Conferences scheduled for 2022, along with registration links for attendees and exhibitors, click here.

Certified Repair Station Training (Sold-Out)

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.

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (12 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 (6 seats remain)

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 (11 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 (10 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 (16 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 (7 seats remain)

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 (22 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.

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.