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. More...

Registration has opened for the 63rd annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, the largest gathering of general aviation avionics manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations in the world. It is the place to be for the introduction of new avionics products and services coming to market in 2020. The event takes place March 24-27, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Attendees must register by Dec. 31, 2019, to receive the early-bird discount price of $675 (AEA member rate) for a full convention registration. The early-bird promotion offers a $180 per person savings off the on-site registration fee. The attendee full registration package includes: four days of seminars and technical training sessions; exhibit hall entrance for two full days with lunch; and networking with manufacturing and distributors. More...

All attendees at the upcoming AEA Connect Conference in Daytona Beach (Nov. 4-5) will have the opportunity to take the Aircraft Electronics Technician certification and endorsement exams free of charge, a $175 value, courtesy of the AEA Educational Foundation.

Advance your career and industry knowledge by earning a certification provided by ASTM's National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT). These certifications demonstrate the knowledge base of the advanced aerospace technician and promote integrity, safety, and professionalism in the aerospace workforce. The FAA formally recognizes the AET certification as equivalent to formal training when showing eligibility for the issuance of a repairman certificate.  More...

Upon publication of ASTM standard F3361, Classifying Alterations for In-Service Aircraft Under FAA Authority Oversight, the AEA recently petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration to recognize it as an acceptable means of compliance for the evaluation of alterations while making a determination of major or minor. As an FAA-recognized acceptable means of compliance, this document is essentially the same as if it was published as an advisory circular. The AEA will be conducting training on this new ASTM standard at each of the AEA Connect Conferences in the United States. In addition, AEA repair station members attending the AEA Connect Conferences will receive a copy of this ASTM standard. The next Connect Conference takes place Nov. 4-5 in Daytona Beach, Florida. More...

The AEA plays host to its sixth and final Connect Conference of the year, Nov. 18-19, in Adelaide, Australia. Aviation’s technology experts will gather for the AEA South Pacific Connect Conference at the Hilton Adelaide Hotel. Join us for the premier avionics event that connects shop owners, managers and lead technicians in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific region. Registration is now open to avionics professionals who want to attend and for companies to exhibit. More...

During the past several months, there has not been visible regulatory activity coming from the TCCA. This does not mean there is no action at all. Last month, an update was provided on the regulatory modernization process and what to expect from that. The TCCA is also working on various other activities either directly related to this modernization process or other items that need attention.  More...

Question: Do noncertificated helpers who perform some maintenance duties as part of a process under direct supervision need to be covered under a drug and alcohol testing program even though they will not sign off the work?

Answer: Yes. According to the FAA: “All employees who conduct maintenance or preventive maintenance are required to be covered by an FAA drug and alcohol testing program regardless of whether they sign off the work or not.” Applicable regulations include both 14 CFR Part 43 and 14 CFR § 120.105. More...

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. More...

When Bendix Avionics acquired King Radio back in the mid-1980s, the new company, BendixKing, was proclaimed as the next ruler of the vast general aviation avionics realm. During its reign, hardly a piston, turboprop or light jet was built in Wichita, Independence, Kerrville or Vero Beach without a Bendix radar or piece of Silver or Gold Crown avionics in its panel. And the villagers throughout Olathe, Kansas, rejoiced. 

For the past several years, BendixKing, now as part of Honeywell, has made its way as a niche avionics manufacturer concentrating on its unparalleled expertise with airborne weather radar and supplying repairs and replacements for the thousands of King radios flying around the world. More...

While most companies have been focused on developing ADS-B solutions for certificated aircraft to meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s upcoming mandate, uAvionix has been shrinking the technology’s footprint for unmanned aircraft systems. At about one-tenth the size and weight and requiring significantly less power than typical ADS-B solutions for manned aircraft, the company’s small ADS-B systems include an integrated barometer to sense pressure altitude and are configurable as UAT solutions or Mode A, C or S transponders. 

To pack so much in such a small space, uAvionix engineers started with a custom-created digital radio chip to power the ADS-B devices. 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?

The first individual who submits the correct answer will be awarded a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Southeast Aerospace, and the winner will be announced in the next edition of AEA Wired.

In addition, each award recipient in 2019 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...

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (This course is sold-out!)

Oct. 28-30, 2019

Lee's Summit, Missouri

This course is designed for the aircraft technician or homebuilder who is looking for guidance in completing an installation on an experimental aircraft with the popular Garmin G3X Touch large format flight display system. From the do-it-yourselfer to the avionics shop looking to carve a niche in this ever-expanding market, this class has something for everyone.

Certified Repair Station Training

Dec. 9-13, 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. 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 program will review the regulations applicable to a U.S.-certificated repair station engaged in maintenance, preventive maintenance and alterations of U.S.-registered aircraft, components or accessories. It 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.

Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation

Dec. 9-11, 2019

Grand Rapids, Michigan

This course is designed for certificated repairmen, new avionics technicians and aviation maintenance technicians interested in improving or acquiring the skills necessary to perform avionics installations. It takes place at the Kent Career Tech Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and 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 and Transponder Theory, Testing and Troubleshooting

Dec. 12-13, 2019

Grand Rapids, Michigan

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 takes place at the Kent Career Tech Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and 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. Equipment from DFW Instruments and Laversab will be used in the course.

Avionics Installation and Integration Training

Jan. 27-29, 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 touchscreen nav/comm/GPS, Garmin GTX 345 transponder and an Aspen EFD1000 primary flight display.

Pitot-Static and Transponder Testing and Inspection with ADS-B Implementation

Jan. 30, 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 to meet the mandate.

RVSM Maintenance and IFR6000 Operations

Jan. 31, 2020

Lee's Summit, Missouri

Attendees will be introduced to the regulations, documentation, test equipment and maintenance practices associated with performing RVSM maintenance for aircraft. This course assumes the attendee has good operating knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations 91.411, 91.413 and 91.227 paragraph (d). This course also 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.

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? 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 [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.