GAMA Reports Record $35.7 Billion in Aircraft Billings for 2025

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association unveiled the 2025 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report during its annual State of the Industry Press Conference in Washington, D.C., on the campus of George Washington University. According to GAMA, the business jet and piston airplane segments saw increases in shipments compared to 2024, and preliminary aircraft deliveries were valued at $35.7 billion. The combined airplane and helicopter billings increased more than 14% over the previous year.

“The state of the general aviation manufacturing industry remains steadfast,” said James Viola, GAMA president and chief executive officer. “We continue to see robust numbers of total aircraft delivered as well as annual billings eclipsing $35 billion, the highest it has ever been. While some segments are seeing marginal declines in deliveries, they are all still above 2019 levels. As manufacturers work hard to meet the challenges and demand of today, they remain focused on advancing safety and innovation for the future of the entire aviation industry.” More...

US House Rejects ROTOR Act, Introduces ALERT Act

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the United States House of Representatives failed to pass the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act that would have required ADS-B In in most aircraft flying in controlled airspace. Although the Senate had previously given its unanimous approval, the House vote required a two-thirds majority under a fast-track procedure.

While some congressional leaders opposed the bill, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Armed Services Committee recently introduced H.R. 7613, the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026, which is intended to address all 50 safety-related recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board as a result of the 2025 midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a UH-60 Army Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The ALERT Act is led by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA). More...

Register for AEA Convention by Monday, March 2

Only 5 days left to save $100

Opening day of the 69th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show is less than a month away. Join us March 23-26, 2026, at the Hilton Anatole for four days of technical education, regulatory insight and valuable industry connections. The trade show floor will be open March 24-25.

Attendees must register by March 2 to receive the advance registration rate of $895 (AEA member rate) for a full convention registration, a savings of $100 per person compared with the on-site fee. The attendee full registration package includes four days of technical training sessions, two days of exhibit hall access with lunch, and networking with manufacturers and distributors. Don't miss the biggest training week of the year in the avionics industry. Register Now...

VIDEO: uAvionix Product Line Revisited

It was the skyBeacon/tailBeacon budget-based ADS-B products that put ‪uAvionix on the GA avionics map, which already dominated the UAV avionics market. Then came the AV-30/AV-20 series electronic flight displays.

The company has been building its installer/shop network since the AV-30 recently got a major upgrade that makes it a player for IFR GPS navigator interfacing, plus autopilot capability. As a follow-up to the cover story in the November 2025 edition of Avionics News, in this video, contributing editor Larry Anglisano joined up with Shane Woodson at uAvionix for a look at the latest interface, plus a new portable ADS-B Out/In device designed for low-altitude ops in aircraft that can't be easily equipped with ADS-B Out panel gear.

Ask the Industry Poll Results

Here are the results of the poll question from the Feb. 11 edition of AEA Wired:

What mode of transportation will you take to attend the AEA Convention in Dallas?



37% – Fly via commercial airline

35% – Drive myself – ground transportation

28% – Fly via general aviation aircraft

Garmin announced three new integrations for the flyGarmin aircraft flight logs. Brazos Safety Systems, Navi and Jet-Care have joined the growing list of aircraft analysis services, enabling pilots to automatically share aircraft flight logs from their Garmin avionics and receive customized reports on engine health, maintenance updates, flight analysis and more. Garmin's aviation segment revenue increased 16% in the fourth quarter of 2025 with growth in both OEM and aftermarket product categories.

Dallas Avionics announced an operators' class for aircrew utilizing Technisonic radios, with an emphasis on the 9000 series, Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing equipment, and Jupiter Avionics devices to be held July 15 at the APSA APSCON annual conference.

Duncan Aviation promoted Scott Stoki to vice president of engine operations.

West Star Aviation appointed Brian Howell as chief commercial officer. It also announced a new groundbreaking expansion at its Chattanooga Airport campus that will increase the site to approximately 400,000 square feet, with completion targeted for February 2027.

Omni Aircraft Maintenance will develop an STC for the Challenger 300, 350, and 3500 aircraft in response to strong demand for Gogo Galileo FDX.

C&L Aerospace, a C&L Aviation Group company, announced that Kristen Lintner and Dallas Wolf have joined the company as regional sales manager, business jet parts. 

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. announced a partnership with Dream Flights, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring military veterans and seniors with the flight of a lifetime.

Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp. (AEM) introduced the industry’s newest narrowband/wideband panel-mount VHF FM radio for special-mission platforms. The MTP138 is a modern solution for analog communication on all channels across the 138MHz to 174MHz frequency band.

Elliott Aviation announced a limited-time avionics incentive for King Air operators equipped with Pro Line 21 avionics. Operators who choose Elliott Aviation to upgrade to a Garmin G1000 NXi flight deck will receive up to $50,000 in trade-in credit for their existing avionics equipment.

StandardAero announced the induction of the first two Gulfstream aircraft service events at the recently expanded StandardAero service center in Augusta, Georgia.

WireMasters has been authorized to distribute Marmon shipboard cable products, which enables it to bring its Aerospace & Defense grade service, inventory planning discipline, and program lifecycle support to the shipboard market.

Avmax announced a year of strong aircraft sales and leasing activity across the African continent during 2025, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting regional airlines in high-growth markets.

Astronics announced that fourth quarter sales grew 15.1% to a record $240.1 million driven by record aerospace sales of $219.6 million, a 16.5% year-over-year increase.

SMS Webinar Set for March 10

Integration of SMS Into Repair Station Operations

The AEA and ARSA have partnered to present an informational webinar on the effective integration of a safety management system within the operations of a repair station regulated under 14 CFR Part 145.

This hour-long virtual session is designed to help U.S.-based repair stations that are implementing an SMS program in compliance with 14 CFR Part 5 as required by the US-EASA special conditions of the Maintenance Annex Guidance with the effective and efficient integrations of SMS into the daily operations of the repair station. The next session will take place March 10, from 1-2 p.m. Eastern time. Register Now...

AEA's Peri to Present at Verticon SMS Workshop, March 9

Compliance deadlines for safety management systems have arrived for many and are rapidly approaching for others. Are you ready? If your SMS implementation is a bit lacking, this workshop is for you. Come get a condensed course from SMS experts ready to share actionable tips and tactics and the most critical elements to start or fine-tune your SMS implementation.

Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, will present at the SMS workshop, which takes place Monday, March 9, from 8-10:30 a.m. in the Thomas Murphy Ballroom at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event is hosted by the VAI Safety Industry Advisory Council. More...

A Real-World Emergency Autoland

When Avionics News contributor Larry Anglisano flew on Garmin’s Beech King Air 200 a couple of years ago to see the company’s first aftermarket application of the Emergency Autoland and Autothrottles (this was the STC airplane), he thought Autoland was an unlikely application for a King Air. Think about it – lots of these highly reliable and hardworking twin turboprops are crewed by pros. Will it really benefit from a system that lands the airplane when the pilot can’t?

He was proven wrong last December when the first full-up, real-world Emergency Autoland was activated in a King Air 200 in Colorado, sparking incredible amounts of aviation and mainstream media coverage. But an important part of the story that wasn’t covered was the installation of this system that was accomplished by Blackhawk Aerospace’s MRO facility in Columbia, Missouri. Turns out, other than Garmin’s STC testbed, this was the first aftermarket installation for a customer aircraft. It’s an interesting story. More...

NFF Aviation Services Has Multiple Reasons to Celebrate

Not only is NFF Aviation Services nearing its 30th anniversary as a top-tier FAA/EASA/UK Part 145 repair station, but five of its senior avionics technicians were recent recipients of the FAA’s coveted Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, honoring 50 years of service in the aircraft maintenance industry. More...

Clear the Skies for Your Next Career Move

Join NextOp and the AEA on March 3 at noon Central time for an exclusive virtual session designed to bridge the gap between military service and the civilian aviation sector. If you’ve worked on flight lines, handled complex electronics, or managed heavy mechanics, your expertise is in high demand.

This session is all about navigating the transition into high-impact roles in flight technology. You’ll hear directly from top-tier hiring companies and training providers who understand the value of a veteran's disciplined leadership and technical training. Register...

Wiring Wizards: From Harnesses to Test Units

In a small shop in Odessa, Florida, Ron Nelson and his three-person team assemble some 20 full harness installations every month. About 90% of the harnesses are for Garmin equipment, primarily G3X Touch flight displays and G500/G600 TXi PFD/MFD systems. They also build harnesses for other general aviation avionics systems, including those from Avidyne, Aspen Avionics and Dynon Avionics.

“We partner with shops that need harness building relief. We provide them with a complete wiring solution for their installs. While they’re doing the mechanical portion, the equipment sales and getting prepared for the install, we’re in the background wiring everything up and streamlining their process,” said Ron Nelson, founder of the family-owned and -operated business he started in 2021. More...

Getting ATC From Analog to Digital

It won’t be easy to move the air traffic control system in the United States from analog to digital, but 12.5 billion will help the process get started. Ed Bolen, National Business Aviation Association president and chief executive officer, said in an interview that this first phase of the brand-new ATC system is “part of a comprehensive plan to move the U.S. ATC system from analog to digital, which is fundamental to enhanced connectivity.”

When you need 12.5 billion immediately from Congress to replace obsolete radios and radars and to rip out copper wires to use fiber optics instead, you realize how far the U.S. ATC system is behind the power curve. And fortunately, the first installment of funding isn’t being doled out in the Federal Aviation Administration’s facilities and equipment budget over a period of years in dribs and drabs. More...

2025 GA and Part 135 Activity Survey Underway

FAA survey measures safety, determines funding, and informs impact of aviation on economy

The Federal Aviation Administration’s 48th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is now underway, reporting on calendar year 2025. 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:

• Compute safety metrics, such as fatal accidents rates. 
• Understand the impact of the GA industry on jobs, economic output, and investments in aviation infrastructure. 
• Track the success of safety initiatives, including avionics recommendations. 
• Determine funding for infrastructure and service needs.
• Assess the impact of regulatory changes.

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.

VIDEO: Cockpit Apps Setting Customers Straight

Partly because of the iPad's wireless interface with panel avionics, customers are leaning more on avionics shops for help choosing the right cockpit tablet app to suit the panel gear and their own mission. It's a dilemma for the shop that wants to help but might not know where to start in pointing the customer in the right direction. Plus, shops have enough on their plate dealing with the panel interface.

In this video, Avionics News contributing editor Larry Anglisano talked with John Zimmerman at Sporty's Pilot Shop who had some good advice for anyone trying to navigate the confusing market of cockpit apps and the hardware they play on.

Featured Jobs: Look Who's Hiring

For individuals interested in pursuing professional opportunities in the avionics industry, the AEA jobs board is your one-stop resource. Search the AEA's job listings and see what's on your horizon. Free resume posting is available for those seeking employment.

Here's a sample of the opportunities currently listed:

• MRO Technical Sales Representative at Banyan Air Service, More...
• Avionics Technician at Atlas Aircraft Center, More...
• Avionics Service Technician at Trimec Aviation, More...
• Sales Representative for Avionics at Duncan Aviation-Battle Creek, More...
• Warehouse Technician at GigaFlight Connectivity, More...

VERTICON

Atlanta, Georgia

March 9-12, 2026

Join 15,000 attendees from more than 85 countries along with 600-plus exhibitors at the world's largest vertical aviation trade show. More...

Aeronautical Repair Station Association Annual Conference

Arlington, Virginia

March 17-20, 2026

Experience the international aerospace maintenance community’s premier event. Join ARSA members and invited guests from around the world to engage governments, network with peers and improve the state of the aviation world. More...

AEA International Convention & Trade Show

Dallas, Texas

March 23-26, 2026

Register by Dec. 31, 2025, to receive the early-bird discount price of $750 (AEA member rate) for a full convention registration. The early-bird promotion offers a $245 per person savings off the on-site registration fee. More...

Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo

Lakeland, Florida

April 14-19, 2026

From its humble beginnings in 1974 as a fly-in for sport aviation enthusiasts, this event has grown into one of the largest aviation events of the year and is Florida’s largest annual convention of any kind. More...

Business Aviation Safety Summit

Provo, Utah

May 5-6, 2026

Organized by Flight Safety Foundation in partnership with the NBAA and NATA, this event brings together industry leaders, safety experts, and key decision-makers to advance safety practices in business aviation. More...

NBAA Maintenance Conference

New Orleans, Louisiana

May 5-7, 2026

Whether you’re an aircraft technician or a director of maintenance, you’ll find the resources and tools to elevate your expertise and advance your career. More...

ADS-B Configuration, Testing & Troubleshooting (15 seats remain)

April 2, 2026

Virtual-live course

This course is designed for currently employed repair station personnel and installers and maintainers of ADS-B systems. A small percentage of 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. Register Now...

Aircraft Instrument Systems (12 seats remain)

April 8-9, 2026

Virtual-live course

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. Register Now...

Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) Prep Course (14 seats remain)

April 14, 2026

Virtual-live course

This official preparation course for the AEA Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) exam is ideal for entry-level technicians or new employees at a Part 145 repair station seeking to learn the fundamentals of avionics. The curriculum is designed to align directly with the certification test, providing an effective path to success. Students will gain the foundational knowledge required for entry-level avionics roles—including core electrical concepts, wiring procedures, digital avionics, and key systems—to ensure they walk into the exam and shop with confidence. Register Now...

Digital Databus Theory & Analysis (14 seats remain)

April 15, 2026

Virtual-live course

As today’s modern airplanes become much more technologically advanced, so must the professionals that 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. Register Now...

Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation (sold-out)

April 20-22, 2026

In-person course; 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. Learn More...

Basic Pitot-Static & Transponder Theory, Testing & Troubleshooting (12 seats remain)

April 23-24, 2026

In-person course; 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. 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. Register Now...

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (15 seats remain)

April 29-May 1, 2026

In-person course; Lee's Summit, Missouri

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 out a niche, this class has something for everyone. Register Now...

Certified Repair Station Training (sold-out)

May 11-15, 2026

In-person course; 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 plan to attend. Learn More...

Are You Hiring? List Your Openings

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 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.

About the AEA



Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of aircraft electronics systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of aircraft electronics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.