Sponsored by Mid-Continent Instruments & Avionics
AEA Wired by Aircraft Electronics Association
March 9, 2016
Keeping the general aviation industry connected
The Current 
News from the general aviation industry
 
 
FAA and Industry ADS-B Installations Forum Concludes Today
The Aircraft Electronics Association is hosting a two-day forum with FAA officials and industry professionals to stimulate discussions and identify barriers to design, certification and installation of ADS-B solutions. The group focused on Part 23 installation challenges on Tuesday, while Part 25 installation challenges will be addressed today More...  


Michael P. Huerta
FAA Administrator to Speak at AEA Convention
On Thursday, April 28, FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta will open the morning regulatory session during the AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Orlando, Florida. Moderated by Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, join FAA invited leadership team members from headquarters, including Huerta, along with officials from directorate and field and regional offices, as participants discuss important regulatory topics affecting your avionics business in 2016 and beyond. Topics include the FAA's reauthorization in 2016; the Part 23 rewrite affecting aircraft design, certification and maintenance; and updates on the FAA's efforts toward ADS-B implementation. And no regulatory update with the FAA would be complete without addressing the international growth in the UAS marketplaceMore... 


Updated AEA Convention Information in Avionics News
This month's edition of Avionics News includes the most recent information available regarding this year's AEA Convention, including details about each of the training sessions available to attendees. This year's event includes more than 75 hours of regulatory, technical and business management training and professional development. Learn about the latest regulatory issues impacting your business, as representatives from the FAA, Transport Canada, EASA and others will be available to share vital regulatory information. Advance registrations for this event may be made online until April 1. More... 

Sponsored by TGH Aviation Instruments & Avionics Regulatory Update
All the latest from the international aviation authorities

 
FAA Publishes ADS-B Policy
The FAA published a policy memorandum that provides guidance for the installation and airworthiness approval of ADS-B Out systems in aircraft. More... 


FAA Issues Unapproved Parts Notification
The FAA issued an Unapproved Parts Notification to advise all aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, maintenance organizations, parts suppliers, and distributors regarding the unapproved status of Ameri-King Corp. parts and articles. On Dec. 28, 2015, the FAA issued an emergency cease and desist order to Ameri-King Corp., terminating its TSOA and PMA. The affected articles are all articles manufactured, sold or distributed by Ameri-King Corp. for installation on type certificated products.  AEA member shops are encouraged to review the FAA Unapproved Parts Notification (UPN# 2016-2013NM460018). More...


FAA Unveils Effort to Expand the Safe Integration of Unmanned Aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration is establishing an aviation rulemaking committee with industry stakeholders to develop recommendations for a regulatory framework that would allow certain UAS to be operated over people who are not directly involved in the operation of the aircraft. The FAA is taking this action to provide a more flexible, performance-based approach for these operations than what was considered for Micro UAS. The committee will begin its work in March and issue its final report to the FAA on April 1. More...  


2015 General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey
The 38th 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 receives 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 infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com. To see survey results from previous years, click here

Sponsored by Pacific Southwest Instruments On the Radar 
Upcoming AEA and industry events


Sun 'n Fun International Fly-in & Expo: Lakeland, Florida, April 5-10
The year marks the 42nd annual event that brings together approximately 200,000 general aviation guests, exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and performers. More...


Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition: Shanghai, China, April 12-14
ABACE brings together more than 8,500 business aviation leaders, entrepreneurs, and other purchase decision-makers. In partnership with the Shanghai Airport Authority and co-hosted by the National Business Aviation Association and the Asian Business Aviation Association, ABACE takes place at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre. More...


Civil Avionics International Forum: Shanghai, China, April 19-21
Approved by the China Association for Science and Technology, and organized by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the fifth annual CAIF will deliver the latest civil avionics industry layout in China, and discuss the avionics research and development trends, airworthiness certification and flight reliability.  More...


AEA International Convention & Trade Show: Orlando, Florida, April 27-30
The 59th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show is the largest gathering of general aviation avionics manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations in the world. It is the platform of choice for the introduction of new avionics products and services coming to the marketplace in 2016. Advance registrations may be made online through April 1. More...

Garmin Ad for Wired The Connection
Meet the leaders in the general aviation industry


Aviation Ace: Alyssa Connell of Connell Aviation Group
Alyssa Connell grew up at airports in Iowa -- her grandfather was the airport and FBO manager at the Independence Municipal Airport. She literally lived in a trailer off the ramp on the Decorah Municipal Airport where her father still is the airport manager, as well as FBO manager. In 2013, she founded Connell Communications, her first company. When she asked her family to join her company, it was the birth of the Connell Aviation Group, an aviation-niched communications firm More...  

In the Classroom 
Professional development opportunities


Register Now Button Certified Repair Station Training Course: May 16-20
A weeklong course divided into training modules designed for startup repair stations as well as mature operations looking to improve their understanding of the regulations, perform internal audits and edit repair stations manuals. Who should attend?  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.   More...  


Register Now Button Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft Training Course: June 1-3
Presented by Pahan Ranasingha of Avionics Installations, 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. More...

The Static
News from AEA member companies

 
TECHNISONIC announced the availability of the industry's first standardized NIFOG code plug for the nation's airborne first responders. 

L-3 AVIATION PRODUCTS  obtained an AML STC for Part 27 rotorcraft for the installation of its Lynx line of ADS-B products.  All Lynx models are covered under the rotorcraft AML STC, which includes the Lynx NGT-9000, NGT-2500, NGT-2000 and NGT-1000. In addition, L-3 Aviation Products announced that its Lynx NGT-9000 received TSO authorization for the additional capabilities of a Class B embedded Terrain Awareness Warning System option and an ADS-B Traffic Advisory System aural alerting option. L-3's Lynx NGT-9000 is an ADS-B touchscreen transponder that is also capable of displaying traffic and weather data. 

UNIVERSAL AVIONICS SYSTEMS CORP. said that initial flight testing for the integration of EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays in the Airbus Helicopters Super Puma AS332L/L1 with Authorized Dealer, Heli-One, is now complete. Universal also announced accomplishment of the first flight of MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer with the InSight Integrated Flight Deck. The successful testing was achieved at MDHI's Mesa, Arizona, facility in multiple phases and concluded on Feb. 17.

JEPPESEN partnered  with Avionics Source to provide general aviation pilots with avionics system expertise and industry-leading flight data subscriptions, offered together in a one-stop shop environment. In addition, Jeppesen said it now offers airline, military and large business aviation operators an enhanced version of its FliteDeck Pro electronic flight bag solution that is compliant with iOS 9 and Windows 10 operating systems. 

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HELICOPTER MAINTENANCE PROFESSIONALS received its articles of incorporation from the state of Arizona and made its debut at the 2016 Heli-Expo. 

ROCKWELL COLLINS said that three of its employees were selected as 2015 Corporate Engineers of the Year and were recognized for demonstrating outstanding technical creativity and innovation during the annual Engineering Breakfast on Feb. 22. Those honored were DOUG R. JOHNSON, CHARLES POPECK and PRASHANT SRIVASTAVA. The company also said that its latest helicopter avionics entered service in North America as Era Group takes delivery of two AW189 helicopters. In addition, Rockwell Collins named Greater Machining and Manufacturing of Independence, Iowa, as the top supplier for 2016.

The FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION is  establishing an aviation rulemaking committee with industry stakeholders to develop recommendations for a regulatory framework that would allow certain UAS to be operated over people who are not directly involved in the operation of the aircraft. The FAA is taking this action to provide a more flexible, performance-based approach for these operations than what was considered for Micro UAS. The committee will begin its work in March and issue its final report to the FAA on April 1. 

FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL will offer training for the Airbus Helicopters EC145 using a new Level D qualified simulator located at the Helicopter Flight Training Center, a Metro Aviation company, in Shreveport, Louisiana. This is the first simulator of its kind in North America. The company also named OTTO GAMBREL manager if the new Learning Center in Denver, Colorado.

328 DESIGN GmbH achieved the first supplemental type certificate for the Dassault Falcon 50EX from the FAA under the FAA/EASA bilateral safety agreement. 

GENESYS AEROSYSTEMS said that WYSONG ENTERPRISES sold and installed the 50th Helicopter Stability Augmentation System and Two-Axis Autopilot (HeliSAS). The milestone HeliSAS was installed in an Airbus EC130 helicopter operated by Memphis Medical Center. In addition, Genesys Aerosystems applied for an STC for the installation of its HeliSAS and two-axis autopilot aboard Airbus EC120 Colibri (hummingbird) light turbine helicopters and said it has shipped its 600th HeliSAS and autopilot system. Genesys Aerosystems also entered into an agreement with ASPEN AVIONICS to obtain an FAA STC to use the Aspen Evolution Pro 1000H glass display as the primary attitude source for its HeliSAS. Finally, Finmeccanica Helicopter Division's new AgustaWestland AW109 Trekker has made its first flight with the Genesys Aerosystems glass cockpit. 

ASPEN AVIONICS announced that Flightcell International will use a proprietary version of Aspen's CG-100 Connected Gateway System to enable pilots and passengers of both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft to receive and send data communications. Aspen's CG-100 will be used as a wireless router and, when combined with Flightcell's DZMx satellite communication system, they provide Wi-Fi Internet connectivity across both broadband cellular and narrowband satellite networks. Aspen also said the EFD1000 PFD system is now available as a factory option on the Cabri G2 helicopter manufactured by Helicopteres Guimbal of France.

STACO SYSTEMS named PATRICK HUTCHINS president. 

TRUENORTH AVIONICS hosted its 10th anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum on Feb. 23. The company also teamed with Guardian Mobility to deliver GMI's newest all-in-one tracking, two-way text and voice communications product, the G6. 

GAMA AVIATION  received ISO 9001:2015 accreditation -- the latest level of the international quality management standards. Gama Aviation went through an upgrade audit in early February, after reviewing and implementing a quality management system compliant to the most recent standard that was published in late September 2015. 

JETSUPPORT B.V. and SCANDINAVIAN AVIONICS announced a partnership that will allow both firms to share their capabilities and broaden their customer support. 

BECKER AVIONICS recently celebrated 60 years of product innovation. The company was founded in 1956. In addition, the Becker DVCS Digital Audio System was selected by the Tampa Police Department for use in law enforcement operations. Becker also announced the sale of the first secure wireless intercom system to Exploration Services LLC, a U.S. customer. 

GARMIN announced the selection of a completely integrated Garmin avionics suite by Air Evac Lifeteam for its fleet of Bell 206 and Bell 407 helicopters. The company also announced an updated version of the Garmin Pilot app, which integrates with the new GTX 345 all-in-one ADS-B transponder, along with an updated version of the Garmin Pilot app for Android. In addition, Garmin introduced the aera 660, a new purpose-built aviation portable. The compact 5-inch capacitive touchscreen boasts a bright, sunlight readable display complete with rich, interactive maps and a built-in GPS/GLONASS receiver that can be viewed in portrait or landscape modes for optimum customization.

TRUE BLUE POWER announced that its TB17 (17 amp-hour) lithium-ion engine-start battery will power the new Bell Helicopter 505 Jet Ranger X. 

FREEFLIGHT SYSTEMS obtained an ADSĀ­-B AML STC for Part 27 rotorcraft. FreeFlight's RANGR series offers a range of TSO-certified ADSĀ­-B solutions. The company selected PEREGRINE to perform engineering services.

AVIATION SPECIALTIES UNLIMITED and Wilcox Industries unveiled a new helmet mount and battery pack for night vision goggles. The company also sponsored a Whirly Girl scholarship for the sixth straight year. Pilot Adele Dobler from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada was the 2016 winner of the scholarship. 

VECTOR AEROSPACE celebrated its 10th anniversary  servicing Rolls-Royce M250 engines in the U.S. The company also celebrated its 40th year as a registered overhaul facility for the General Electric Aviation T58 and CT58 turboshaft engines and its 25th anniversary as an authorized Turbomeca Arriel repair and overhaul center. In addition, Vector Aerospace is in the process of developing a new FAA-certified ADS-B Out solution for the Finmeccanica Helicopters AW139 medium twin rotorcraft. It also signed a multi-year agreement with Eagle Copters Ltd. to provide repair, overhaul, testing, modification, and other services as required on Eagle Copter's Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T power sections and combining gearboxes.  

VIH AEROSPACE launched a revised brand at Heli-Expo, highlighted by a revised logo. The company also said that research and development plans are underway for VIHA to introduce a three-tank system to further increase operational range by introduction of additional useable fuel. It also reached a delivery milestone of 22 auxiliary fuel tank systems to Bristow Group. The company entered into an exclusive inventory management and supply chain support agreement with Precision Heliparts Canada ULC, effective up to Dec. 31, 2019. It also announced new, reduced pricing and a newly developed options package for its Bell 212 MCP01 Master Caution Panel. 

STANDARDAERO was named the preferred maintenance provider for PT6A turboprop engines in support of Textron Aviation's PowerAdvantage program for Beechcraft King Air and Cessna Caravan aircraft. StandardAero also launched a new engine compressor case life extension program to help Rolls-Royce M250 engine operators reduce maintenance service intervals and keep their helicopters in the air for longer periods of time, reducing overall operating costs. StandardAero also received both "Customer Satisfaction" and "Program Investment" awards at the Rolls-Royce FIRST Network Recognition Reception on Feb. 29.

CUTTER AVIATION named JARET ECCLESTON regional sales manager. 

EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY signed an agreement with the American Society of Appraisers to be the sole provider for three years of required coursework for professional aircraft appraisers to apply for worldwide accreditation. It also is currently accepting candidates for the nation's first Ph.D. in aviation business administration. 

GLOBALSTAR and AVIDYNE announced a strategic partnership to develop and certify satellite-based Internet and voice communications products for the aviation market. These new solutions, to be exclusively provided by Avidyne to aircraft manufacturers and through Avidyne's worldwide dealer network, will leverage Globalstar's second-generation satellite network, boasting the fastest data speeds in the MSS industry. 

SATCOM DIRECT and Universal Weather and Aviation partnered to offer integrated datalink and trip planning. Satcom Direct's FlightDeck Freedom datalink and Universal Weather and Aviation's online flight planning and weather services are now available in an integrated and bundled offering. In addition, Satcom Direct closed its purchase of Airbus DS SatCom Government Inc., expanding its market presence and offerings to the U.S. government sector. ASGI has been renamed Satcom Direct Government Inc. and will do business as COMSAT. 

DUNCAN AVIATION was chosen as the exclusive AOG service partner for GOGO BUSINESS AVIATION to support Gogo customers 24/7 with LRU serviceable units and spare parts that are strategically placed at Duncan Aviation's network of facilities and avionics satellite locations within the U.S. In addition, Duncan Aviation plays host to a free NextGen seminar in New Orleans on March 29.

METRO AVIATION delivered a helicopter to the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The Airbus H125 (formerly the AS350) will serve as a unique observation platform to provide the scientific community with the capability to make unprecedented observations about the Earth's climate system and human health. In addition, Metro Aviation became the first North American customer for the EC145e when it contracted to purchase six helicopters and launched an extensive demo tour of the new lighter-weight, lower-cost version of the EC145. 

OUTERLINK said that along with onboard data monitoring of voice and up to 300 parameters, the Outerlink Global Solutions IRIS system is equipped with a new digital camera that boasts 1080P resolution and variable focus allowing it to fit any cockpit size. 

DAC INTERNATIONAL was added to the global aviation distribution network by Kimberly-Clark Professional. 

COBHAM SATCOM p artnered with Southeast Aerospace, China Trancomm, Inmarsat and Delta G Design to develop an FAA STC for AVIATOR 300 system with Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband Safety on Shenzhen Airlines' Boeing 737-800 aircraft. 

DALLAS AVIONICS, JUPITER AVIONICS and MAXCRAFT AVIONICS announced that  Phoenix Heli-Flight, Inc. has chosen to equip its entire fleet of Airbus helicopters with the JA94-001 Dual Audio Controller. 

JET AVIATION ST. LOUIS said it has now completed 22 cabin-management upgrades with the Rockwell Collins Venue system in Globals and Challengers. 

SOUTHEAST AEROSPACE recently delivered the 22nd of 30 heavily modified Bell-407GX aircraft to NorthStar Aviation. 

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. appointed GLOBAL JET SERVICES as an authorized provider of EASA-certified maintenance training on several out-of-production aircraft. Gulfstream also appointed LEDA CHONG senior vice president of government programs and sales. The company also enhanced its MyCMP maintenance tracking program with a feature that integrates a customizable diagnostic reasoning engine and a database of known equipment faults and troubleshooting procedures.

TRIG AVIONICS noted that aerobatic pilot NIGEL LAMB became a Red Bull World Champion in 2014 with a Trig transponder in his plane. Recently, he installed TY91 radios in his MXS aircraft in a bid to secure the title again. 

THOMAS GLOBAL SYSTEMS  welcomed the Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, to its Sydney Headquarters on March 4. Minister Payne officially opened the company's new Electronic and Embedded Systems Innovation Hub, a new Centre of Excellence, which will be the focus of Thomas Global's internal R&D and new product development initiatives. 

HILLSBORO AVIATION will  become the Airbus Helicopters exclusive commercial aircraft sales agent for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska under an agreement announced by officials of Airbus Helicopters Inc. The exclusive sales agent agreement is the first authorized by Airbus Helicopters Inc. in the company's 47-year history. 

WESTERN AIRCRAFT said that Idaho Gov. Butch Otter signed bill H.361, which removes the sunset provision on the sales tax exemption for aircraft parts installed on out-of-state aircraft. Without the bill, the tax exemption would have expired on June 30, 2016. 

LOWE AVIATION CO. announced a major corporate overhaul that will see the aero service center separate its renowned FBO division from its avionics and maintenance division. HENRY LOWE owner of Lowe Aviation, will continue to own and oversee the FBO division, still known as Lowe Aviation Company. The avionics and maintenance division, now known as Lowe Aviation Services, will continue with a new owner--CEO and President KARL H. GARDNER.  

Mystery Make & Model
Guess the make and model -- enter for chance to win $100 Visa gift card


Click to enlarge
Congratulations to Russ Kromberg, avionics systems engineer for Duncan Aviation, who won a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Southeast Aerospace, for knowing the correct product make and model featured in the previous issue of AEA Wired.

The correct answer was the BendixKing RT-1151A.

Avionics technicians can put their "inside" knowledge to work in the next issue of AEA Wired. Stay tuned for the next Mystery Make & Model challenge! 

Sponsored by AVWeb GA Caucus

Industry advocates on Capitol Hill

 


In 2009, General Aviation Caucuses were formed in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate to inform congressional members and staff about the importance of general aviation to the nation's economy and transportation system. Today, the House GA Caucus has grown to become one of the largest caucuses in the House of Representatives. A listing of current House and Senate GA Caucus members is available on the AEA website. More... 

 

Aircraft Electronics Association
About the AEA
Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in 43 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. 


Contact:
Aircraft Electronics Association
3570 NE Ralph Powell Road
Lee's Summit, MO 64064
Phone: 816-347-8400
Fax: 816-347-8405
Email: info@aea.net
Web: aea.net 
Advertising:
Lauren McFarland, director of marketing
Phone: 816-347-8400
Email: laurenm@aea.net

The "AEA Wired" e-newsletter is published twice a month by the AEA.