President Donald Trump has nominated former Delta Air Lines pilot Steve Dickson to be the next administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he would replace acting Administrator Dan Elwell, who has led the agency since Jan. 7, 2018.

Dickson recently retired from Delta Air Lines where he served as senior vice president of flight operations. He also was an Air Force officer and has experience as both a military and Delta Air Lines pilot. More...

The 62nd annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show gets underway Monday, March 25, at the Palm Springs Convention Center. It is the largest gathering of general aviation avionics manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations in the world and is the platform of choice for the introduction of new avionics products and services coming to the marketplace in 2019. The event takes place March 25-28, 2019, at the Palm Springs Convention Center. There are more than 120 hours and 70 different technical training and professional development courses available for avionics professionals, the most training offered in the convention's history. The on-site registration desk will open in advance of the show on Sunday, March 24. More...

Sponsored by EDMO Distributors, the mobile-friendly AEA Convention website is available to assist attendees and exhibitors 24/7 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The website offers an optimal viewing experience across a wide range of devices, from desktop computer monitors to mobile phones. This responsive website means there's no need to download an app ... from the convention's schedule to a map of the exhibit hall, it's all right there at your fingertips. More...

On March 12, 2019, the Aircraft Electronics Association sent a letter to Nicholas Robinson, Director General of Transport Canada, Civil Aviation, in regard to Nav Canada's proposal for ADS-B requirements in Canadian Airspace. The AEA has been monitoring the process in Canada and providing feedback to the TCCA and Nav Canada. The AEA has several concerns regarding the implementation of ADS-B in Canada and outlined them in the letter.

The proposal contains numerous incorrect assumptions. The AEA is concerned that the proposal will have a detrimental effect on general aviation as well as cross-border general aviation flights and tourism. In the letter to Transport Canada, the AEA outlines its request for a delay in implementation, a system with a combination of air and ground solutions, further industry consultation and the need for any ADS-B requirement to be published through the CARAC process. More...

In-flight Wi-Fi connectivity is or has become the No. 1 feature passengers are looking for when it’s time to fly. So much so, that a growing percentage of passengers shopping for commercial or charter seats are using the availability of connectivity as a tipping point between one provider and another.

As that dependence on staying connected continues to grow, so does the chance of a passenger’s data being hijacked. Yes, cybercrime and the need for a proactive cybersecurity program have come to aviation.

While no one can argue against the growing need to implement security practices, there is, understandably, quite a bit of confusion in the aviation industry about what cybersecurity actually is. There is some help though.  More...

The 41st annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is now underway. It 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. The survey 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].

In virtually every industry, including aviation, digital products have supplanted their analog counterparts. In response, companies like Thommen are changing course to meet customer demand. For a century, Thommen was known for its Swiss-quality aircraft instruments and equipment. In 2016, the company sold its mechanical standby aircraft instruments and mechanical/quartz chronographs to focus on digital solutions.

Under its new name, Thommen Aircraft Equipment relocated from Waldenburg to Muttenz, Switzerland, near Dreiländereck, the tripoint where the borders of Switzerland, France and Germany meet. In its 2,000-square-meter facility, all departments are housed on one floor, ensuring materials and information flow smoothly.  More...

IFR6000 Operations Training Course

April 26, 2019

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. In-depth training will be provided for testing of ADS-B transponder systems with airborne equipment.

Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation

May 22-24, 2019

Grand Rapids, Michigan

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. It takes place at the Kent Career Tech Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Certified Repair Station Training Course

June 3-7, 2019

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. It is for 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.

The Regulations of Maintenance

Sept. 19-20, 2019

San Diego, California

Held in conjunction with the University of Kansas Aerospace Short Course Program

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 career listings page on the AEA website is your one-stop resource. The AEA careers page 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 career listings and see what's on your horizon. Are you up to the challenge? More...

Is your business hiring? Looking for a new avionics technician or A&P mechanic? Want to buy or sell a business in the general aviation industry? Post these professional opportunities to a target-rich environment: the AEA's career listings website. For $200 a month, you can place a listing online AND receive a print advertisement in Avionics News for FREE! For more information, 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.