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Keeping the general aviation industry connected
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Friday, March 2, is Last Day to Register in Advance for AEA Convention in Las Vegas
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This Friday, March 2, is the last day to register at advance rates for the 61st annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas, which takes place March 26-29 at the MGM Grand Convention Center. Those individuals who register in advance for the biggest week of training in the avionics industry will save $80 off the on-site registration fee.
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Shuster Drops ATC Privatization Effort
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After several years spent attempting to convince his congressional colleagues to privatize the air traffic control system in the U.S., House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R.-Pa.) is putting that effort on hold. According to
The Hill, Shuster issued the following statement on Tuesday, Feb. 27: "Despite an unprecedented level of support for this legislation -– from bipartisan lawmakers, industry, and conservative groups and labor groups alike -– some of my own colleagues refused to support shrinking the federal government by 35,000 employees, cutting taxes, and stopping wasteful spending. Although our air traffic control reform provisions did not reach the obvious level of support needed to pass Congress, I intend to work with Senator (John) Thune (R-S.D.) and move forward with a reauthorization bill to provide long-term stability for the FAA.”
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Retrofit Avionics Sales Surge more than 20 Percent
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The Aircraft Electronics Association recently published its 2017 year-end Avionics Market Report. Total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales for 2017 amounted to $2,326,852,536.79, or more than $2.3 billion. The figure represented a 2.9 percent increase in sales compared to the previous year. The increase reverses two-straight years of declining sales and was the first year-over-year increase in sales since 2014. The retrofit market showed an increase in its percentage of total sales for the fifth-straight year, recording an all-time high of more than $1.3 billion in sales in 2017, a 20.1 percent increase over 2016.
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EASA publishes the 2018-2022 European Plan for Aviation Safety
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The European Aviation Safety Agency published the 2018-2022 European Plan for Aviation Safety, which also includes the agency’s rulemaking programme. The EPAS, a key component of the European Aviation Safety Programme, provides a coherent and transparent framework for safety work at European level, helping the identification of major safety risks and defining the actions to take.
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FAA Removes Requirements for Applicants and Certificate Holders to use the Safety Assurance System
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On Feb. 20, 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration published a policy change (Notice N 8900.451) for applicants/certificate holders submitting information using the SAS external portal and data collection tools. The FAA Flight Standards Service has determined that the collection of certain information through the SAS external portal and DCTs from applicants and certificate holders is covered by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (refer to Title 44 of the United States Code (44 U.S.C.) chapter 35).
Flight Standards is in the process of working with the Office of Management and Budget to obtain approval for the collection of information through the external portal and the DCTs. Until the OMB grants approval (or until the expiration date of this notice), this notice provides policy and guidance on the use of the external portal and DCTs. Until the OMB grants approval, Flight Standards has determined that the use of the external portal to collect information will be voluntary.
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EASA Issues First NPA of the Year
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The European Aviation Safety Agency issued the first NPA for 2018: Notice of Proposed Amendment 2018-01 amending part 21 requirements for instructions for continued airworthiness. Instructions for continued airworthiness have to be produced by design approval holders as part of the product/part certification, which, if properly implemented, should ensure that the product/part remains airworthy during its intended life. While the majority of this NPA discusses the DAH and OEMs, there is specific language that also applies to STC applicants. The EASA states that “the aim of this proposal is to clarify the status of ICA in order to improve the continuing airworthiness of all aircraft within the scope of the Basic Regulation, and therefore to improve safety.” Comments should be submitted before April 30 using the EASA’s automated Comment-Response Tool.
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On the Radar: Upcoming Industry Events
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AEA International Convention & Trade Show
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 26-29, 2018
The 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 also is the platform of choice for the introduction of new avionics products and services coming to the marketplace. Advance registration is available through March 2. The event will take place at the MGM Grand Convention Center in Las Vegas.
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AEA Europe Connect Conference
Prague, Czech Republic
April 24-25, 2018
Save the date for the avionics industry event of the year in Europe. This conference is set for the Prague Marriott Hotel. Online registration is now available through April 17; make your hotel reservation before April 3.
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Global Connected Aircraft Summit
San Diego, California
June 4-6, 2018
The Global Connected Aircraft Summit brings together the world’s largest airlines and companies from across the aerospace and avionics industries to assess market lessons, potential demand and best practices in global connected solutions for the passenger, airline efficiency, and cutting-edge services.
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KF Aerospace Sees Rapid Growth
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At KF Aerospace in Kelowna, British Columbia, technicians are busy tending to aircraft in four huge hangars. At the maintenance, repair and overhaul facility, the pace is quicker than at most shops, keeping up with the vigorous aircraft schedules of several international airlines and the Department of National Defense. Each hangar group specializes in a particular customer or aircraft type.
As part of its 45th anniversary in 2015, the company launched a rebranding effort to enhance its global appeal, which included changing its original locally inspired Kelowna Flightcraft name to KF Aerospace. Barry Lapointe and Jim Rogers founded Kelowna Flightcraft in 1970, maintaining aircraft for local operators. The gentlemen eventually purchased an established airline, which flew passengers within British Columbia.
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Avionics Training and Professional Development Available at AEA International Headquarters
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Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation
April 23-25, 2018
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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ADS-B Broadcast Surveillance: All the Ins and Outs
April 26, 2018
The ADS-B Broadcast Surveillance course is designed for currently employed repair station personnel. This course will describe and define ADS-B systems and the FAA’s guidance and specifications on both ground stations and airborne equipment. It is designed to provide the student with history, theory of operation, basic implementation, configuration, certification, compliance testing of surveillance systems.
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Digital Databus Theory and Analysis Training
April 27, 2018
As today’s modern airplanes become more-technologically advanced, so must the professionals who 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.
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News from AEA Member Companies
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DFW INSTRUMENT announced that
Andy Brookins joined the company as shop manager. He brings 30 years of commercial and military instrument and avionics repair experience.
BANYAN AIR SERVICE will host a Gogo in-flight connectivity solutions seminar on March 6 at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The seminar will be presented by
Scott Tychsen, regional sales manager for Gogo Business Aviation, and will focus on AVANCE L3, AVANCE L5, AVANCE SCS and Gogo Ku.
TRUTRAK FLIGHT SYSTEMS announced that the STC for the TruTrak Vizion autopilot has been updated to include the remainder of the Cessna 172 series, the Cessna 175 series, the Piper PA28 series, and the PA32 series aircraft. These aircraft are added to the existing AML STC, which currently includes the Cessna 177 series and part of the Cessna 172 series aircraft. The next models to be added to the STC will be the Cessna 180, 182, and 185 series aircraft.
SOUTHEAST AEROSPACE was selected as a BendixKing repair partner, designating SEA as an authorized BendixKing repair, overhaul and OEM distributor.
FLIGHTCELL INTERNATIONAL announced that the Flightcell DZMx will be enhanced with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and router to allow for a cellular broadband data connection for onboard smart devices and connected equipment without the need for a separate Wi-Fi router installation. The Wi-Fi antenna and components are installed within the existing DZMx housing. In addition, the Flightcell DZMx is to have optional Bluetooth, allowing onboard devices to pair and be connected to the aircraft ICS. Mobile phone calls can be taken through the headset, providing pilots and crew with a hands-free capability and can now listen to streaming audio.
CIRRUS AIRCRAFT announced that new customer aircraft deliveries for the company’s SR Series soared to more than 350 aircraft in 2017, a recent record high.
CMD FLIGHT SOLUTIONS announced that some Dassault Aircraft have been added to its Transport Canada ADS-B Out AML STC. CMD received Transport Canada familiarization on the Dassault Mystere-Falcon 50; 50EX, 900, 900EX, Falcon 2000 and Falcon 2000EX. CMD Flight Solutions now has FAA, DGAC, EASA and ANAC certified ADS-B Out solutions that cover almost every business jet, personal aircraft and regional jet flying today with the Rockwell Collins TDR-94/94D or the Honeywell Primus II Radio Suite.
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GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. announced plans to construct a new service center at Wisconsin’s Appleton International Airport to support its growing customer fleet. This additional Gulfstream Appleton facility, which will complement the existing hangar and office space, is expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2019 and create approximately 200 jobs.
FLYING COLOURS CORP. signed an agreement with, Conair Group Inc., a provider of fixed-wing aerial firefighting aircraft, to modify six production Q400MR aircraft to support multi-purpose missions.
GARMIN introduced the GFC 600H flight control system for helicopter owners and operators to reduce pilot workload and improve mission effectiveness. It also introduced the G500H TXi, a new generation of touchscreen flight displays for helicopters. Garmin also unveiled the G1000H NXi, the next-generation, all-glass integrated flight deck designed specifically for the Part 27 VFR helicopter market.
DUNCAN AVIATION announced that its helicopter component repair service experienced more than 80 percent growth in 2017.
AVIDYNE received FAA STC approval of the IFD Series of FMS/GPS/NAV/COM systems for installation in Robinson Helicopters. It also received FAA STC approval for R10.2.1 software for the IFD Series, which adds new helicopter features.
ACR ARTEX introduced the only 406 MHz approved transport-grade alkaline battery-powered emergency locator transmitter. The development of the ARTEX ELT 4000 featuring an alternative power source to traditional lithium batteries offers OEMs, airlines and operators an ELT that is exempt from FAA non-rechargeable lithium battery special conditions, while introducing ownership cost savings through reduced, acquisition, installation, and maintenance.
APPAREO announced plans to expand the AML-STC for the company’s Stratus ADS-B Out transponders to include Part 27 helicopters.
EAGLE COPTERS appointed
Jason Kielau vice president of sales and marketing.
ANODYNE ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING CORP. announced the ongoing development and certification program for the AWG08 Audio Warning Generator and released two new loudspeaker amplifiers, the LSA150 (150W) and LSA300 (300W). It also announced the company's purchase by SMS Canada Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Structural Monitoring Systems PLC of Australia. It also signed a distribution agreement with DAC International. Along with Aviation Specialties Unlimited, the two companies will be proceeding with the development, qualification, certification and sale of a new generation, plug-and-play replacement caution/warning panel for the BK117 series helicopter. Airbus Helicopters received an FAA STC for installation of AEM's 600W Loud Speaker system on Airbus H125/AS350B3 series helicopters.
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LATITUDE TECHNOLOGIES showcased its new S200-012P Iridium Satellite Push-to-Talk device for air medical and first-responder organizations at HELI EXPO in Las Vegas.
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY POLYTECHNIC CAMPUS is working with law enforcement partners to offer a training course specifically targeted at how first responders can utilize unmanned aircraft systems in daily operations and safety procedures. The first course offering takes place April 9-12 at the campus in Salina.
L2 AVIATION announced that its Quality Management System Certification was upgraded to AS9100 Revision D.
PRECISION AVIATION GROUP signed a dealership agreement with Honeywell Aerospace that allows PAG to sell, exchange and provide MRO services on Honeywell avionics products including Aspire (satcom) and SkyConnect. It also signed an MRO and distribution agreement with UTC Aerospace Systems for main and tail rotor servos for the Airbus AS350.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL completed the expansion of its Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio. Also, the company now offers a new series of Sikorsky S-70A courses at its West Palm Beach Learning Center, and offers FAA-approved Part 142 Night Vision Goggle initial and recurrent training in simulators for helicopters built by Airbus Helicopters, Bell Helicopter and Sikorsky at its Learning Centers in Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Lafayette, Louisiana; and Stavanger, Norway. The company promoted
Suren Meras to senior director of operations.
SATCOM DIRECT is celebrating 10 years of partnership with global mobile satellite communications business Inmarsat. The milestone anniversary, which acknowledges SD’s support of the SwiftBroadband service, was announced to delegates attending SD’s annual Connecting with Customers client and partner event in Austin, Texas.
DALLAS AVIONICS is partnering with Air Medical Radio Communications Systems Solutions to provide customers with comprehensive management and training of radio systems, 24/7 support, and simplified data migration services.
METRO AVIATION completed an H125 for the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, which is equipped with essential mission-specific gear including a cargo hook for sling work, Bambi Bucket for fire suppression and a hoist for rescue operations. Since receiving approval for its Flight Operations Quality Assurance program in the summer of 2017, Metro has increased its flight data monitoring-equipped aircraft to reflect nearly 65 percent of its entire fleet. Of the over 80 aircraft equipped, 51 have Outerlink’s IRIS system on board.
Kenny Morrow was promoted to chief operating officer.
OUTERLINK GLOBAL SOLUTIONS installed IRIS on more than 100 aircraft in 2017, which is an all-encompassing tool for voice, video, flight data recording and high-performance satcom communications.
SPIDERTRACKS unveiled a new tier of helicopter safety at this year’s HeliExpo in Las Vegas. Bundled under the Spidertracks 2.0 umbrella, these developments aim to elevate the overall level of safety across the entire industry at an affordable cost.
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UNIVERSAL AVIONICS SYSTEMS CORP. received FAA TSO authorization for the company’s new Flight Management System/Multi-Missions Management System software version SCN 1002.0/1102.0. With the introduction of this software, helicopter operators can now take advantage of Localizer Performance Level of Service approaches and a Transition to Hover search pattern. In addition, ground testing for Heli-One’s Sikorsky S-76B helicopter upgrade program featuring a Universal Avionics flight deck is now complete, with flight testing imminent. The aircraft is operated by a VVIP operator in Asia. The upgraded, modern glass cockpit includes the installation of three EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays with Vision-1 Synthetic Vision System and a UNS-1Fw Satellite-Based Augmentation System-Flight Management System.
FREEFLIGHT SYSTEMS announced that the company’s 1203C SBAS/GNSS sensor is now approved for installation with Rockwell Collins’ latest TDR94/94D transponder variant. Rockwell Collins has received FAA approval of an AML-STC for ADS-B Out installations across a wide range of Part 23 Class 3 and 4 aircraft with an additional Part 25 certification coming later in 2018.
ROCKWELL COLLINS announced the release of an AML-STC that utilizes the latest ADS-B innovation from
APPLIED AVIONICS. The AML-STC covers select Part 23 aircraft configured with Rockwell Collins’ TDR-94/94D transponders and includes the industry’s only ARINC 429 signal converter that fits inside of a standard annunciator. The VIVISUN LED annunciator with ARINC converter responds directly to the ARINC 429 data bus and provides an ADS-B Fail indication to the pilot eliminating the need for any additional hardware.
ASTRONICS began testing the first engineering units of its new air-ground communications system. AGCS is a secure connectivity solution that Astronautics is providing to Airbus Helicopters. The company's multifunction display system was on board as the fifth of seven upgraded Agusta Bell 212s was delivered to the Spanish Ministry of Defence. It also is completing a software update to its multifunction display system for customer SENER, a multinational engineering and technology group, and Babcock MCS España (formerly INAER) on the Spanish Navy’s AB-212 fleet. In addition, its RoadRunner electronic flight instrument, AFI 4700, has been installed, flown, and demonstrated on a variety of helicopter platforms — including Bell 212, Bell 214ST, and AW109. Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems is expanding its CorePower system product line with a new 28VDC Electronic Circuit Breaker Unit.
STANDARDAERO and Papillon Airways signed a memorandum of understanding for 40 retrofittable Crash-Resistant Fuel Tanks in support of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters’ fleet of Airbus AS350 B3 and EC130 B4 tour aircraft. Installation of the first CRFT will take place this April. StandardAero completed development of its StandardAero PowerCheck mobile application, designed to provide easy calculation of engine performance based on OEM power assurance charts for Rolls-Royce M250 engine operators across the globe. StandardAero received two awards at annual Rolls-Royce FIRST Network Recognition Reception, including unprecedented ninth-consecutive year winning Customer Satisfaction Award.
VIH AEROSPACE completed installations of three supplemental type certified, Night Vision systems for Helijet International Inc. The company also announced that it is ready to provide ADS-B installation support to Canadian and U.S.-based helicopter and fixed-wing operators.
AVMAX has taken delivery of the last batch of three aircraft of a 27 Dash 8-102 aircraft purchase deal from Piedmont Airlines Inc.
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Looking for a Job in the Avionics Industry?
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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?
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Need to Post a Job? The AEA Works for You!
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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 Lauren McFarland, AEA director of advertising, at
laurenm@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:
Lauren McFarland, director of advertising
Phone: 816-347-8400
The "AEA Wired" e-newsletter is published twice a month by the AEA.
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