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March 8, 2017
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Keeping the general aviation industry connected
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The Current
News from the general aviation industry
 AEA Unveils 2016 Year-end Avionics Market Report
The Aircraft Electronics Association released its 2016 year-end Avionics Market Report. Total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales for the year amounted to $2,261,534,820, or more than $2.2 billion. The figure represented a 6.4 percent decrease in sales compared to the previous year as reported by the participating companies in 2015. It was the lowest dollar amount of reported sales since 2012, which was the first year the AEA began tracking sales. Of the more than $2.2 billion in sales in 2016, 50.6 percent came from forward-fit (avionics equipment installed by airframe manufacturers during original production) sales, or more than $1.14 billion. That marked the lowest dollar amount of forward-fit sales recorded in the last four years. By contrast, the retrofit (avionics equipment installed after original production) market showed an increase in its percentage of total sales for the fourth straight year. Retrofit sales amounted to 49.4 percent of sales in 2016, while the retrofit market accounted for 49.1 percent of total sales in 2015; 48.6 percent of total sales in 2014; and 45.9 percent of total sales in 2013. More...
 AEA Convention Registration Desk Opens Sunday Morning
Whether you registered in advance or plan to register on-site, the AEA Convention registration desk is open for your convenience from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Sunday, March 12, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
AEA Convention attendees and exhibitors are encouraged to check-in Sunday to avoid the rush prior to the official opening and AEA New Product Introductions session scheduled for Monday, March 13.
Go to the advance registration desk if you preregistered. Be sure to bring your yellow registration confirmation receipt with you. If you need to register on-site, follow the signs to the on-site registration.
Remember to pick up your packet prior to 5 p.m. CDT on Monday if you have a ticket for the AEA First-Nighter Party. More...
 Watch Live Coverage of the AEA Convention
The Aero-News Network will begin its live-streaming coverage of the 60th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show from New Orleans on Monday, March 13, at 8:30 a.m. CDT. Watch the opening session as more than 30 companies will unveil new products and services.
ANN's live-streaming coverage from New Orleans continues from the AEA Exhibit Hall Tuesday, March 14, at noon CDT, and again Wednesday, March 15, at 1 p.m. CDT
. To watch, click here.
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 Regulatory Update
All the latest from the international aviation authorities
Industry Group Requests Extension of Comment Period
The AEA joined with other industry groups asking for a 90-day extension to the comment period for new guidance on maintenance return to service. The organizations represent a cross-section of the aviation industry, covering a range of interests including commercial air carriers, aviation service providers, design and production approval holders and repair stations. Draft Advisory Circular 43-ARTS significantly revises the agency's interpretation of the requirements for using FAA Form 8130-3 for approving articles for return to service. Because the draft AC does not mirror the maintenance record-keeping regulations and conflicts with existing agency policy, additional time is required for industry to develop comprehensive substantive comments. Premature release of this AC will be detrimental to aviation safety, and, among other things, cause both industry and the FAA to expend considerable resources to correct the guidance after issuance. More...
8.33 kHz EU Grant Funding: Eligibility Criteria
On Jan. 1, 2018, the law changes and all aircraft operating in airspace that requires the carriage of a radio must have 8.33 kHz voice compatible equipment fitted and operational. To assist this change, the Civil Aviation Authority's GA Unit has secured €4.3m of European Union funding, representing 20 percent of the total anticipated cost to the U.K. fleet. This funding is from the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility. There are no additional funds available. To see the document that defines the eligibility criteria that will be applied by the CAA to claims for EU funding of 8.33 kHz radio equipment, click here.
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 On the Radar
Upcoming AEA and industry events
AEA International Convention & Trade Show
March 13-16, 2017
Don't miss the biggest training week in the avionics industry. This year marks the 60th annual AEA Convention and takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana. Advance registration has closed, but on-site registration will be available at the New Orleans Convention Center.
More...
AEA Europe Connect Conference
April 10-11, 2017
The first AEA Connect Conference of the year takes place at the Hilton Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Avionics repair stations, manufacturers, regulators and educators gather for two full days of networking and professional development, and an exhibit hall will showcase the latest avionics technologies and services. More...
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 The Connection
Meet the leaders in the general aviation industry
 South Africa's Century Avionics Enjoys Steady Growth
South Africa's
Century Avionics has ambitious goals this year, from continuing to expand its business to enhancing operator training to supporting the conservation of endangered wildlife.
Located at Lanseria International Airport, the service center specializes in general aviation avionics for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.
With nearly 40 years in business, Century Avionics is the largest and oldest privately owned avionics facility in Southern Africa, according to co-owner Carin van Zyl
.
More...
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 In the Classroom
Professional development opportunities
 Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft:
May 3-5, 2017
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 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...
Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation:
May 15-17, 2017
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. More...
ADS-B Broadcast Surveillance ... All the Ins and Outs:
May 18, 2017
This
course is designed for currently employed repair station personnel. It will describe and define ADS-B systems and the FAA's guidance and specifications on both ground stations and airborne equipment. More...
Digital Databus Theory and Analysis Training:
May 19, 2017
As today's modern airplanes become much 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. More...
Certified Repair Station Training:
July 10-14, 2017
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 the repair station manual. More...
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 The Static
News from AEA member companies
CONSTANT AVIATION
Rotable Exchange is now offering an LED lighting kit solution, designed for both the Beechjet 400A/XP and Nextant 400XT/XTi aircraft
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UNIVERSAL AVIONICS SYSTEMS CORP. announced that the engineering of the InSight display system is now fulfilled, and the company is working toward completion of the STC and TSO package in preparation for TIA. Upon approval, InSight will provide operators with a new modern, integrated flight deck solution. The company also announced that successful integration and testing of the new Transition to Hover feature has been completed in the AS332L/L1 Super Puma helicopter. Universal also awarded Heli-One Norway as its international top dealer for 2016.
GARMIN announced a series of enhancements and an expanded feature set for Garmin's G500H glass flight display STC in Robinson R44 helicopters. Pilots flying behind the G500H in the R44 will experience a faster, more responsive and modernized flight display, alongside many additional features that improve situational awareness and bring new capabilities to this system using a Garmin-held STC, according to the company.
ASTRONICS CORP.
, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Astronics Test Systems, announced a series of feature upgrades to its CTS-6000 Tactical Radio Series communications test set. With these new upgrades, the CTS-6000 tester is the world's first portable unit available to test both analog and digital functions of the most widely deployed military tactical radios.
FREEFLIGHT SYSTEMS announced a partnership with Palu Innovations of Lomazzo, Italy, to support development and deployment of Palu's Advanced NextGen Landing Systems.
BEVAN RABELL completed the installation of the Garmin G5000 advanced flight deck on its second Beechjet 400A. This Garmin G5000 retrofit program completely replaced all existing avionics, including the autopilot within the designated aircraft.
PRO STAR AVIATION hired MATT SARGENT to help prepare for the company's Challenger maintenance program at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Londonderry, New Hampshire.
JEPPESEN agreed to a new five-year service contract with Air Baltic, the flagship carrier of Latvia. The agreement includes both digital Jeppesen charts and navigation services and several crew solutions that use data analytics to optimize planning and decision making, based on real-time factors.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. announced the second Gulfstream G600 completed its first flight, spending 4 hours and 26 minutes in the air and officially joining the flight-test campaign.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL promoted NATHALIE RABY to assistant manager of the company's Learning Center located at the Paris-Le Bourget airport in France. It also announces that JOHN VAN MAREN will develop and lead a new organization as vice president, simulation products and services. The company promoted SCOTT GOODWIN to general manager, simulation. FlightSafety International and Sikorsky announced the entry into service of a new Graphical Flight-deck simulator designed specifically for the Sikorsky S-76D helicopter. It also now offers FAA-approved Part 142 Night Vision Goggle initial training for the Airbus Helicopters H135, Bell 212, and Bell 412EP using Level D qualified simulators.
ELLIOTT AVIATION received the first deposit for the installation of a Garmin G5000 Citation Excel/XLS from Blue Link, LLC. The announcement came shortly after Elliott Aviation's 10th G5000 retrofit on the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP airframe.
VECTOR AEROSPACE recently supplied five extensively modified AS332L Super Puma helicopters on lease to Starlite Aviation. In addition, the company reported strong demand for the Rolls-Royce M250-C47B Value Improvement Package upgrade, which is available to operators of the Bell 407. It also received approval from the European and United States airworthiness authorities for its ADS-B solutions offered for Part 27 and Part 29 rotorcraft. And finally, during the past year, it continued to pursue certification of the crash-resistant fuel tank being developed with Robertson Fuel Systems LLC as a retrofit for the Airbus AS350/EC130 family of helicopters.
GENESYS AEROSYSTEMS and HELIATICA received Russian certification for Genesys HeliSAS Stability Augmentation Systems and Autopilots on Robinson R44, R66 and Airbus H125 and H130 series helicopters. In addition, MD Helicopters selected the company's new-generation Integrated Display Units as standard aboard the twin-engine, MD 902 Explorer helicopter, and as standard aboard the MD 530G Scout Attack helicopter.
L3 AVIATION PRODUCTS announced that its MRO facility in India received Civil Aviation Requirements 145 certification from India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
ASTRONAUTICS CORPORATION OF AMERICA is teaming with JAGID Management to deliver a new portable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance cockpit situational awareness and communications system that will expand ground-based operations for law enforcement and military operators domestically and internationally. In addition, the company's new RoadRunner electronic flight instrument for helicopters is advancing to STC approval and the marketplace. In addition, the company signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to obtain STCs for installation of the Astronautics RoadRunner electronic flight instrument.
WESTERN AIRCRAFT, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, now has a smartphone app to provide customers with easy access to contact information regarding AOG, FBO, over-the-counter parts, and MRO sales and maintenance.
DUNCAN AVIATION completed a redesign of the Android version of its AOG Services app, which helps AOG operators find the nearest Duncan Aviation location to their current position. Duncan also named TIM BARBER as its aircraft sales and acquisitions representative in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
SAFE FLIGHT INSTRUMENT CORP. was chosen by Textron Aviation to provide its Angle of Attack Stall Protection System on the high-performance Cessna Denali single-engine turboprop.
ROCKWELL COLLINS became the first company in the world to achieve Counterfeit Avoidance Accreditation Program accreditation for its supply chain management procedures.
THOMAS GLOBAL SYSTEMS received the Civil Industry National Innovation Award at the 2017 Aerospace Australia Limited Industry Innovation Awards for its TFD-8601 Electronic Flight Instrument System display upgrade.
VIH AEROSPACE launched a Bell 407 helicopter-leasing program for 2017. The company also successfully completed its certification audit and received the International Organization for Standardization 9001 Certification.
STANDARDAERO celebrated the 50th year that the company has offered Roll-Royce M250 helicopter engine services to the industry. The company was first contracted in 1967, then by Allison Engine Company, to provide engine MRO services for the Canadian Air Force CH-136 Kiowa helicopter fleet. StandardAero also received the triple crown of awards for Customer Satisfaction, Program Investment and Total Quality at the Rolls-Royce FIRST Network Recognition Reception in Dallas, Texas.
MAXCRAFT AVIONICS received Transport Canada STC SH16-53 for Category "A" Urban Operations from Ground Level and Elevated Heliports. Sikorsky S76C+/C++ aircraft equipped with this STC can achieve operational approval for takeoff and landings at H1 designated heliports. In addition, the company received Transport Canada STC SH17-13 for installation of the Garmin GTS800 Traffic System with dual directional traffic antennas, and STC SH17-14 for installation of Garmin HTAWS in the Airbus Helicopters EC-135.
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 Mystery Make & Model
Guess the make and model -- enter for chance to win $100 Visa gift card
 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?
All correct answers will be entered into a random drawing where one individual will be awarded a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Southeast Aerospace.
The winner will be announced in the next edition of AEA Wired. Email your answer...
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 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...
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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.
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 advertising
Phone: 816-347-8400
Email: laurenm@aea.net
The "AEA Wired" e-newsletter is published twice a month by the AEA.
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