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Keeping the general aviation industry connected
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Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers
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As the United States comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19, many state and local municipalities have closed non-essential businesses. As a result, AEA member companies have asked the question: What are essential businesses?
Each state is unique; therefore, providing a definitive answer in every situation is nearly impossible. However, there is a
national guideline published by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that provides insight into this answer.
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AEA Staff is Ready to Serve You
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Following a local government order to stay at home, the AEA staff transitioned this week to remote offices. But like our technology expert members, nothing really changes our ability to serve our customers. Our service to you is ESSENTIAL.
Even though our physical address will be closed, AEA staff members will continue to assist member companies and conduct business during the normal operating hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Daylight Time, Monday through Friday.
As usual, you may continue to call the AEA at 816-347-8400 or email
info@aea.net. In addition, email addresses for individual staff members are available on the AEA website at
AEA.net/staff.asp.
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Industry Coalition Urges Congressional Action for Economic Stimulus and Recovery Package
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On March 19, the Aircraft Electronics Association joined a broad coalition of industry groups by signing a joint letter to congressional leaders to pass an economic stimulus and recovery package. The letter also emphasized the aviation industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy. In part, the letter stated:
“On behalf of the entire U.S. civil aviation industry and the 11 million U.S. jobs we either directly represent or support economy-wide, we sincerely request the administration and Congress work as one to act as quickly as possible to financially protect our industry and the livelihood of our employees, who are the backbone of aviation. The breadth and immediacy of the need to act cannot be overstated. It is urgent and unprecedented."
As of Wednesday morning, March 25, Senate leaders announced a compromise package that would offer more than $2 trillion to the struggling economy. A congressional vote is expected soon.
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AEA Members May Access Convention Presentations and Webinars
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Despite the fact that the AEA Convention was canceled, many companies that were scheduled to conduct training sessions in Nashville have made their presentations available on the AEA website. An AEA member login is required to access the information.
Content is available from Avidyne; Broward College; Garmin; L3Harris; PS Engineering; Robotic Skies; True Blue Power; and Universal Avionics. Additional presentations will be added as they become available.
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U.S. Department of Labor Issues Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program Final Rule
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On March 10, 2020, the United States Department of Labor published a final rule that will help expand apprenticeships in the United States by establishing a system for advancing the development of high-quality, industry-recognized apprenticeship programs, or IRAPs.
IRAPs are high-quality apprenticeship programs, recognized as such by a third-party entity under standards established by the department in the new rule. Through these programs, individuals will be able to obtain workplace-relevant training and progressively advancing skills that result in an industry-recognized credential, all while getting paid for their work.
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Avotek Helps AEA Members Prepare for AET Test
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Have a little extra time as you self-quarantine or practice social distancing? Take this opportunity to study for the Aircraft Electronics Technician certification exam.
Avotek, an AEA member and training partner, offers online courses to help avionics technicians prepare for the AET exam and is now offering a member discount of 40% off. To access the coupon codes, AEA members must visit the AEA website and sign in with a member login.
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Farnborough International Airshow Canceled
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Event organizers have canceled the Farnborough International Airshow that was scheduled for July 20-24 in the United Kingdom. This decision was reached due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The event plans to return in 2022.
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Registration Open for AEA Connect Conferences
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Join aviation's technology experts at one of the upcoming AEA Connect Conferences later this year. Online registration is available for both attendees and exhibitors. The schedule is as follows:
Sept. 10-11: AEA Canada (Calgary, Alberta)
Sept. 23-24: AEA East (Naples, Florida)
Oct. 19-20: AEA Central (Kansas City, Missouri)
Oct. 27-28: AEA West (Irvine, California)
Nov. 10-11: AEA South Pacific (Queenstown, New Zealand)
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AEA Scholarship Applications Due April 1
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The Aircraft Electronics Association will award more than 20 scholarships totaling more than $100,000 for the 2020-21 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. Numerous awards are available, ranging from $1,000 to more than $35,000 each. Scholarship applications are available online, and the deadline to submit an application is April 1, 2020.
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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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Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo
Lakeland, Florida
May 5-10, 2020
The Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo, an aviation tradition for the past 45 years, will have a name change for its 2020 event. The largest fundraising event for the Aerospace Center for Excellence will be renamed the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo to reflect the mission to engage, educate and accelerate the next generation of aerospace professionals.
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FAA UAS Symposium
Baltimore, Maryland
June 16-18, 2020
The Symposium will bring together representatives from the FAA, other government agencies, industry, and academia. The presenters and panelists will discuss the latest information and advancements related to the diverse uses of unmanned aircraft, and how these new entrants are being safely integrated into the National Airspace System.
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FAA-EASA International Aviation Safety Conference
Washington, D.C.
June 23-25, 2020
The Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency will hold their annual three-day event for regulators, aerospace industry representatives, and other aviation stakeholders from around the world to discuss various global aviation safety issues.
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EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
July 20-26, 2020
Experience the largest annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts. From unique, historic aircraft to world-class daily air shows, you don’t want to miss the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration. The AEA will be distributing free copies of this year's
AEA Pilot's Guide in Hangar B, booth 2035/2036.
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AUVSI XPONENTIAL
Boston, Massachusetts
Aug. 10-12, 2020 (tentative rescheduled date)
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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Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Aug. 11-13, 2020
LABACE is one of four NBAA partnership trade shows worldwide and the largest business aviation event in Latin America. It is a consolidated business opportunity thanks to its visitors and partners.
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Thom Duncan Reflects on Shop's Overnight Success
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Since childhood, Thom Duncan’s talent has been fixing electronics. He used money from his paper route to buy do-it-yourself kits from Radio Shack.
“I was always interested in electronics and airplanes, and I wanted to learn,” he explained. “I would get the little kits – 10 in 1s and 50 in 1s and 200 in 1s where you connect wires and springs to make circuits and alarms.”
Duncan opened his avionics shop in 2018 at Fayetteville Municipal Airport in Fayetteville, Tennessee. The business grew so rapidly he added two technicians to help handle the workload.
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Interface Interaction: Making Sense of Pushing Buttons, Turning Knobs, and Touching Screens
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Rudimentary technical intuition enabled most pilots to operate analog avionics. To employ the single function of a box in the stack, their hand automatically went to that box’s knob or button that delivered what they wanted. Better yet, this worked for most boxes no matter who made them; this common interface made it easier to transition from one airplane – and one system – to another.
Things got more complicated when computer capabilities stuffed a growing number of capabilities. Each digitally driven function, it seemed, was at the end of an interface maze, and each manufacturer’s maze is different.
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$100 Mystery Make and Model Challenge
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Congratulations to Adam Hile of Preferred Airparts, 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 Genave CDI.
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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Bench Basics and Flight Line Troubleshooting
May 4-6, 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
May 7, 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 Operations
May 8, 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 systems.
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Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft
May 13-15, 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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Certified Repair Station Training
June 1-5, 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
June 15-17, 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
June 18-19, 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 and Integration Training
Aug. 17-19, 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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The Regulations of Maintenance
Oct. 22-23, 2020
Orlando, Florida
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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Astronics Corp. introduced the Freedom R8200 Communications System Analyzer, a next-generation land mobile radio test instrument for public safety, maritime, commercial, and critical infrastructure communications systems.
PS Engineering announced the availability of a dual control head to work with the PAC45 Special Mission Digital Audio Control System. The PAC45D system allows the flight crew easy access to critical mission audio from a central controller. This meets the operational requirements of many agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service.
Garmin received the 2019 On-Time Delivery award by Airbus Helicopters at the North American Supplier Conference in Grand Prairie, Texas. Garmin was recognized for its efficient performance related to product delivery.
Honeywell introduced its new Honeywell Forge. The data-driven analytics platform provides a full suite of mission-management capabilities in the areas of connectivity, flight operations, navigation databases and maintenance, empowering flight departments to improve operational inefficiencies.
CCX Technologies is adding GPS Signal Generator and VDL Mode 2 capabilities to its T-RX Avionics Radio and Pulse Testers. The new capabilities are being developed in response to user requests.
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West Star Aviation completed the first 24-year, 4th C inspection on a Falcon 900EX. The company also was awarded the FAA Diamond Award of Excellence for completing specialized training pertaining to aviation maintenance, safety and FAA rules at two of its locations.
Appareo received FAA approval for installation of Stratus transponders in Part 27 aircraft. The STC-AML includes Airbus Helicopters, Bell Helicopter, Leonardo, and Robinson Helicopter. The H-variant models, named Stratus ES-H and Stratus ESG-H, are now available through the authorized Appareo dealer network, and retail for the same price as the Part 23 transponders.
Duncan Aviation has implemented an aircraft disinfection service that it is providing for operators who have scheduled into the company’s main MRO facilities in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah.
Thomas Global Systems achieved another regulatory certification milestone with receipt of Transport Canada Civil Aviation STC approval for its TFD-7000 Series plug-and-play LCD flight displays for Boeing 737/757/767 CRT-equipped aircraft.
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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
rachelh@aea.net.
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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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