News from the general aviation industry

Officials from Aeronautica Civil at the AEA Regional Meeting in Bogota

AEA Hosts 'Wildly Successful' Regional Meeting in Bogota, Colombia

Nearly 120 avionics professionals attended the Aircraft Electronics Association's first Regional Meeting ever hosted in Bogota, Colombia, Aug. 20-21. The event was the AEA's fourth annual regional meeting in its Latin America region, with the first three meetings taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil. 

"Many attendees told us this was their first opportunity to meet face-to-face with officials from Aeronautica Civil, which is Colombia's regulatory authority," said Paula Derks, AEA president. "We were thrilled with the number of attendees and the 20 companies that showcased their products and services in the exhibit hall. It was the first time many of them had been introduced to the AEA's services and made for a wildly successful event. Of the four years we've hosted a regional meeting in the Central and South America region, this year's event easily attracted the most number of attendees and exhibitors. This part of the world represents a growing market in the general aviation electronics industry, and we look forward to working with the repair stations, avionics manufacturers and regulatory authorities on a variety of issues to help them prosper in the years ahead."

The next regional meeting hosted by the AEA is set for Sept. 3-4 in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. More...

New Angle-of-Attack Options Open New Business Opportunities, Help Reduce Loss-of-Control Accidents

Rate & Labor Survey Available for AEA Member Repair Shops and a chance to win $500 Apple Store Gift Card

Deciding what to do with your shop rates next year? Evaluating your employee compensation plan for 2015? AEA member repair shops are asked to participate in this year's Rate & Labor Survey online. All participants are automatically entered to win a $500 Apple Store gift card -- just in time for the iPhone 6. If you have already submitted a response to the survey, you are entered to win. Please complete the survey by Aug. 31. More... 

All the latest from the international aviation authorities

 

Frequently Asked Questions in the United States

Can a repair station perform maintenance and alterations on light sport aircraft? Learn this answer in this regulatory update written by Ric Peri in Avionics News. More...  

From the European Aviation Safety Agency

The European Aviation Safety Agency released an advance notice of proposed amendment; A-NPA 2014-12 is proposing possible amendments to its founding regulation (called basic regulation) identified as the EC 216/2008. The proposals aim to better enable the agency to meet the needs and expectations set by member states, the European Commission and the European citizens, and prepare the European aviation system for the mid- and long-term future. There are seven areas of potential changes proposed. More... 

General Aviation Part 135 Activity Survey

The General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey for reporting on calendar year 2013 will end soon. Everyone who received an invitation to complete the survey to prepare accurate statistics on aviation activity is encouraged to participate. The GA Survey is a scientific sample of aircraft from the Civil Aviation Registry. It is the FAA's primary source of information about the size and activity of the general aviation and on-demand Part 135 fleet. A wide range of aircraft, aircraft operations and types of ownership are included in this survey. If you receive a survey, please complete it to establish accurate data. Responses are confidential. The information will be used only for statistical purposes and will not be released in any form that would reveal an individual participant. Tetra Tech is an independent research firm that conducts the GA Survey on behalf of the FAA. A short form is available for owners/operators who receive three or more surveys. Contact Tetra Tech with questions at 800-826-1797 or email [email protected].  
 

Upcoming AEA and industry events

 

  

Click to learn more information about the 2014 AEA Regional Meetings!

Sept. 3-4: AEA Canada Regional Meeting in Kelowna, British Columbia

The Delta Grand Okanagan Resort & Conference Center plays host to this year's event. Register online by Aug. 29. More...

 

Sept. 9-11: ICG NxtLink Communications Conference in Portsmouth, Virginia

Reliable and continuous communications with your aircraft and flight crew are paramount for efficient operations and flight safety. Educate yourself on Iridium and Datalink services from key industry leaders. More...

 

Sept. 16-17: AEA U.S. East Regional Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

The DoubleTree Orlando at Sea World serves as the host site for the first AEA Regional Meeting this year in the United States. Register online by Sept. 12. More... 

 

Sept. 30-Oct. 1: AEA U.S. West Regional Meeting in Reno, Nev.

Register by Sept. 26 to attend this regional meeting, which takes place at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. The deadline to make hotel reservations is Friday, Aug. 29. More...

 

Meet the leaders in the general aviation industry

 

Pete Riegler, co-owner and CEO of Mid-South Calibration

Mid-South Calibration tunes its Service, Capabilities

It's been a big year for Mid-South Calibration of Memphis, Tennessee. The company, which specializes in calibrating electronics and mechanical equipment of all types, changed ownership, expanded its facilities and added new capabilities. The changes began in the spring of 2013 when Pete Riegler and Will Page bought the lab from Aero Electronics Inc. -- a lab that Riegler helped start two decades ago. Learn more about this AEA member company in this month's Avionics News.  More...

 

Professional development opportunities

The Commitment to Training Continues 

The fall months of November and December include a variety of professional development opportunities for the general aviation avionics industry, as the Aircraft Electronics Association plays host to four training courses in the Dan Derby Center for Professional Development at its international headquarters in Lee's Summit, Missouri. 

• Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation, Nov. 3-5 More...
• Navigation Systems Line Maintenance and Testing, Nov. 6 More...
• Digital Databus Theory and Analysis, Nov. 7 More...
• Certified Repair Station Training Course, Dec. 8-12 More...

For more information, or to register for any of the training courses, contact the AEA at 816-347-8400. Class size is limited. More...

Industry buzz on social media

News from AEA member companies

JETSUPPORT AVIONICS recently became part of the Honeywell service network by adding the Honeywell and BendixKing service authorization to its scope of business. Located in the Netherlands, JetSupport provides avionics components repair and overhaul services and support solutions for commercial, business and general aviation. 

GARMIN Pilot expanded its coverage into Canada. Last month, Garmin Pilot announced worldwide coverage for iPad and iPhone for flight planning, weather coverage and navigation. Garmin Pilot Canada Premium is now available in the iTunes store. 

Eric Boelzner

JET AVIATION ST. LOUIS received an STC for installation of the Satcom Direct Router in the Global Express, XRS, 5000 and 6000 models. In addition, ERIC BOELZNER was named senior director, supply chain and production control. Boelzner joins the company from Dassault Falcon Jet Corp., where he spent 19 years in various roles. He also spent four years with Raytheon Aircraft Company.

VELOCITY AEROSPACE named ALAN GOODE of Averitt Air its latest winner in the company's year-long iPad Mini giveaway promotion. The company is selecting one winner each month among individuals who visited the company's booth last March at the AEA Convention in Nashville. 

ACSS, a division of L-3 Aviation Products, received STC approval from the FAA for SafeRoute ADS-B solutions on Airbus A320 model aircraft. SafeRoute is a set of avionics capabilities that uses ADS-B In to provide enhanced operational safety and efficiency in all phases of flight. 

SATCOM DIRECT broke ground on its Campus of Excellence, a new headquarters building for Satcom Direct's team and technology. The 41,212-square-foot, two-story, LEED-certified building is scheduled for completion in August 2015. The new headquarters will be located in Melbourne, Florida. 

LEADING EDGE AVIATION of Bend, Oregon, added an F33A Bonanza single-engine complex aircraft to its training fleet of more than 20 aircraft.

Industry advocates on Capitol Hill