The 64th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show is the place to be for avionics training, networking, new product introductions and more. The four-day event takes place at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, June 22-25, 2021. Avionics technicians and small-business owners will reconnect with their manufacturer and distributor representatives, train on the latest products, and learn industry best practices. Two full days of exhibits with 120 companies await. Tune in for a sneak peek of this year’s event with AEA President and CEO Mike Adamson in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company.

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Garmin Autoland was awarded the 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy for the world’s first certified autonomous system designed to activate during an emergency to safely fly and land an aircraft without human intervention.

The Collier Trophy has been the benchmark of aerospace achievement for over a century and is awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association to recognize “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving performance, efficiency, safety in air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year.” The seven nominees for 2020 included the Bell V-280 Valor, SpaceX Falcon 9 & Dragon 2, among others. More...

Gene Marks will be the keynote speaker at the opening session of the AEA Convention in Dallas, June 22. A former daily columnist for both the New York Times and Washington Post, Marks now writes weekly on small business, public policy and technology for The Guardian, The Washington Times, The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Forbes (where he writes the popular "On CRM" column), Entrepreneur and Accounting Today. His columns reach thousands of readers each week, and he has an online following of more than 600,000 on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Marks has written six books on business management, specifically geared toward small- and medium-sized companies. He regularly appears on Fox News, Fox Business, MSNBC and CNBC. Marks also is a frequent guest on Sirius/XM’s Wharton Business Channel and The John Batchelor Show, which is syndicated nationally on the ABC Radio Network.

Through his keynotes, workshops, seminars and executive retreats, Marks helps business owners, executives and managers understand the political, economic and technological trends that will affect their companies so they can make profitable decisions. More...

If you are a serious avionics professional, the place to be on the morning of June 22 is the AEA New Product Introductions session at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas during the AEA Convention.

The New Product Introductions session is one of the most popular events every year during the convention and has evolved into a must-see showcase for members and the media. Avionics manufacturers know the key to a successful product launch means bringing their products to the AEA Convention & Trade Show. To see the list of more than 30 companies committed to launching new products at AEA Dallas, click here.

Each year, several aviation media outlets arrive at the AEA Convention to extensively cover the latest news from the avionics industry. For example, Aero-News Network will include live-streaming services as part of its show coverage from Dallas beginning Tuesday, June 22, at 8:30 a.m. CDT. Watch the opening session as several companies will unveil new products and services.

ANN's live-streaming coverage continues from the AEA Exhibit Hall Wednesday, June 23, from 1 to 4 p.m. CDT, and again Thursday, June 24, from noon to 3 p.m. CDT. Watch

There is no better way to say it. The aviation industry is back in the saddle, and the AEA Convention in Dallas is your first stop on the road back. Don’t miss the AEA’s First-Nighter Event, which will include drinks, refreshments and entertainment sponsored by Dallas Avionics and State Fair Records. This event is open to all attendees and all exhibitors with a convention badge. More...

Every attendee and exhibitor gets lunch during scheduled hours. Not only is this your opportunity to connect with manufacturers, distributors, technicians and fellow business leaders, but you can meet them for lunch right next to the exhibit hall. It's all included in your full or daily registration. To see the list of 120 exhibiting companies, click here.

The Aircraft Electronics Association announced the recipients of the annual Avionics Training Excellence Award, which recognizes AEA member companies for their total commitment to continued education as evidenced by participation in AEA-approved training. A total of 45 member companies received the 2020 AEA Avionics Training Excellence Award.

For a member company to be eligible for the AEA Avionics Training Excellence Award, all its technicians must have completed at least one AEA-approved training event in the previous year, which includes in-person courses conducted at AEA headquarters; the AEA International Convention & Trade Show; the AEA Connect Conferences; the Avionics News Technical Training Exam; online training via the AEA's Aerospace Education Resource Online (AERO) system; AEA virtual-live training courses; original equipment manufacturer training from AEA member companies; and AEA partner training. More...

Avoid lines at on-site registration and higher fees; register in advance and your badge will be waiting on you at the show.

Whether you register for the entire week or just a single day, doing so in advance will save you time at the show. Advance registrations are pre-printed and just waiting for you to pick up.

Attendee daily registrations include: Seminars and technical training sessions for a specific day as well as First-Nighter Event for Tuesday registrations; exhibit hall entrance with light lunch for Wednesday and Thursday registrations; all-day training and lunch for Friday registrations. Click here to register.

AEA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Ric Peri writes in this month's Avionics News: "I recently asked the following question: Whom do you write your repair station manuals for? The answer, as expected, was that the repair station manuals are for the authority’s 'approval.' Of course, that is not only the wrong answer, but more importantly, it is contrary to the regulations and industry best practices.

"Although wrong, the answer that the authority is the selected audience is logical. As part of the application to become a repair station, you must submit your manuals to the authority for review and acceptance before you are granted a repair station certificate. This simple act, in my humble opinion, is the catalyst of a fractured future where our manuals continue to describe the business to the authority rather than telling the company’s employees, leadership, and customers how the business operates; how the quality system works; and what is expected of employee performance. Additionally, many authorities have no training on how to evaluate a performance-based quality management system to assure the business is operating as it had committed to as a function of the initial certification." More...

According to FlightAware, business aviation traffic in the United States is up nearly 65% over 2020 and almost 21% compared to 2019. During the week of May 31 through June 6, there were 12,039 business aviation flights per day compared to 7,3131 in 2020 and 9,965 in 2019.

"For over four months, business aviation traffic in the United States has exceeded 2019 numbers," said Daniel Baker, FlightAware CEO. "Memorial Day weekend was no exception, with flight traffic as high as +19% when compared to the holiday weekend in 2019." More...

Change is in the air at Security Aviation – again. Last September, the FAA-certified Part 145 repair station moved into its new 18,000-square-foot hangar at Hawthorne Municipal Airport, a designated general aviation reliever airport for Los Angeles International Airport in California. The new digs are more than twice the size of the previous facility.

“We’ve been at Hawthorne Airport since 1983 and occupied every hangar complex on the north side of the airport,” said Chris Miller, owner of Security Aviation. “We started out in the T-hangars that were located on this exact spot. They tore them down and built a hangar complex right on top of it. Thirty-seven years later, we ended up right where we began.”

Miller and his team of factory trained technicians serve general aviation, corporate and charter aircraft operators, spending their days working on mostly Cessna, Beechcraft and Pilatus aircraft. More...

While it seems as though the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Aviation Administration have, for now, decided that the perceived benefits of 5G are worth the risk to aircraft crews and passengers, the team at FreeFlight Systems has taken a proactive approach to mitigate the issue of 5G interference with radar altimeters.

Fortunately, the team at FreeFlight Systems is no lightweight when it comes to using advanced technologies to solve airborne navigation and safety-related issues. In the early 2000s, the company was a leading participant in the FAA’s fledgling NextGen program. One offshoot was that FreeFlight Systems received the first FAA technical standard order for its GPS/WAAS receiver.

“While we have been at the forefront of many advancements, we have always been a radar altimeter company,” Ring said. “We have a long history of advancements in that segment." More...

The months of May and June are prime times for shops to hire new technicians straight from school. Those with new employees on the payroll now, or in the near future, may find the following information helpful.

Most likely, students from certificate or associate degree programs are coming from, and are used to, a structured environment. They are competent with their skills, but they will need direction. They will perform best if your workplace is highly structured.

Students from bachelor’s degree programs have experience in less-structured environments, which builds their ability to make and execute plans for themselves. A bachelor’s degree graduate will have the same or greater technical skill set as a certificate or associate degree graduate; however, they will have some ability to direct themselves. More...

At first glance, the crowds swarming over the Sun ‘n Fun Expo site at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport looked like the good-old days: aircraft parking and camping filling all available space; campgrounds nearly overflowed with tents, motor homes, fifth-wheel trailers and pop-up campers.

At second glance, the humans came in droves larger than expected. And at third glance, those humans there to shop probably found the smaller footprint of exhibitors a welcome outcome, allowing more space for browsing the commercial-exhibit hangars and outdoor exhibitors without the usual games of dodge-and-weave with other pedestrians more typical of the first major air show and fly-in event of 2021.

It seems people – in and out of aviation – were primed and ready to get out to the shows. Sun ‘n Fun, for example, provided some surprisingly strong evidence by experiencing its largest advance-admission sales ever. More...

Question: When should you complete an electrical load analysis?

Answer: Besides when there is a discrepancy that requires a calculation of the electrical load, any time you are installing or removing electrical equipment. The aircraft certification standards (14 CFR 23.2515, 25.1351, 27.1351, 29.1351) require you to know the electrical system capacity, which quoted from Part 25 states: “The required generating capacity and number and kinds of power sources must be determined by an electrical load analysis.” When you modify an electrical system by adding or removing electrical equipment, how do you know the aircraft still meets its type design if you haven’t done an ELA? How do you comply? More...

The AEA has unveiled the dates and locations for its 2021 Connect Conferences in the United States. Online registration is available for both attendees and exhibitors. The annual AEA Connect Conferences are two-day events that personally connect general aviation industry professionals. The schedule is as follows:

The AEA continues to monitor travel restrictions and guidance from authorities around the world and will make a determination whether Connect Conferences can take place in Europe, Canada, and South Pacific. More...

The Federal Aviation Administration’s 43rd annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is available but will be coming to an end soon, reporting on calendar year 2020. 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.

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.

In addition, the AEA introduced its Pilot's Guide Showcase, an all-new digital stage highlighting everything from features and functions of the latest avionics equipment to the installation and service available from AEA member repair stations. Located at PilotsGuideShowcase.net and specifically designed for avionics consumers such as general aviation pilots and aircraft owners, the digital platform features product demonstrations, how-to videos, select tutorials via recorded flight demonstrations and spotlights AEA's network of technology experts.

The AEA’s new online training platform called AERO, short for the Aerospace Education Resource Online system, allows users to train at their own pace with the ability to pause and resume courses at their convenience. In addition, AERO operates like a personal learning management system with a history of training and the ability to print certificates from completed courses.

All previous online training from the AEA has been migrated to AERO and is available exclusively to AEA members at aea.net/aero with a member login and password. AEA AERO will continue to add 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...

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?

Southeast Aerospace will award a $100 Visa gift card to a random winner from among the correct entries submitted, and the winner will be announced in the next edition of AEA Wired.

In addition, all correct answers from 2021 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...

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.

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.

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (10 seats remain)

This in-person 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.

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 support inflight connectivity system installations and maintenance. This eight-hour training enables aircraft technicians and operators to gain understanding on the basic airborne networks, IFC systems, and the services they provide.

Certified Repair Station Training (4 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 attend.

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.

Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation (10 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 (11 seats remain)

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 FAR 91.411 and 91.413 checks.

Primary Flight Display Installation & Integration (15 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/comm consisting of dual Garmin GI 275, a Garmin GTN 650 touch screen, 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.

Bench Basics 101 (New course: 14 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 upon course completion.

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 upon course completion.

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.

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.

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.