AEA Wired by Aircraft Electronics Association
May 10, 2017
Keeping the general aviation industry connected
The Current 
News from the general aviation industry
 

First Standard From New Group Will Help Certify Aircraft Electronics Technicians
ASTM International recently introduced its first standard from the Committee on Aerospace Personnel (F46), which will help certify Aircraft Electronics Technicians, or AETs. Mike Adamson, AEA vice president of member programs and education, is a member of the ASTM committee. More than 12,000 ASTM standards operate globally. Working across borders, disciplines and industries, ASTM International harnesses the expertise of more than 30,000 members to create consensus and improve performance in manufacturing and materials, products and processes, systems and servicesThe standard (Guide for Aircraft Electronics Technician Personal Certification, F3245-17) provides a basic approach for evaluating subject knowledge, task knowledge, and task performance related to a wide variety of areas including aircraft electricity, electronics, wiring, safety practices, tools, test equipment, and more.   More...


FAA's ADS-B Rebate Program Explained
The Federal Aviation Administration launched the ADS-B GA Rebate Program in September 2016 to encourage owners of less-expensive general aviation aircraft to equip with the new avionics required to meet the ADS-B Out mandate, and enjoy the safety benefits of ADS-B ahead of the 2020 deadline. The program will run for approximately one year, or until all 20,000 rebates are exhausted. 

The FAA estimates that as many as 160,000 general aviation aircraft will need to be equipped with ADS-B Out.  As of Jan. 1, 2017, approximately 4,000 rebates had been reserved, and the monthly equipage rates for rebate eligible aircraft have almost doubled.  The rebate program is also helping to reduce the percentage of ADS-B performance problems because it requires a validation step to ensure the avionics equipment is working properly. Since the validation step requires that the aircraft be flown in rule airspace, there is also an increased awareness of where rule airspace is.  More... .


Warranty Checks and Balances: 
Connecting Serial Numbers with Users to Sustain Safety
In the avionics industry, there is no better example of the enduring trope that "The more things change, the more they stay the same" than the registration rate of newly installed equipment. In the end, avionics manufacturers truly don't care who submits the warranty registration, the shops that install the equipment, or the customers who use it. What matters is appending reliable contact information to a serial number so they can inform end users about updates, service bulletins, and other information pertinent to the safe operation of that equipment.   More...  

Regulatory Update
All the latest from the international aviation authorities


Frequently Asked Questions: ADS-B
What considerations should the installer be aware of regarding the air-ground status of ADS-B Out systems? Learn the answer in this month's Avionics News. More... 


President Signs Omnibus Bill; Averts Government Shutdown
On May 4, the United States Congress passed an omnibus funding bill that will keep the government funded through Sept. 30, which is the end of fiscal year 2017, and avoids a government shutdown. The bill was quickly signed by President Donald J. Trump. 

The legislation includes $16.41 billion in budgetary resources for the Federal Aviation Administration, which is $127 million more than last year's amount and $507.5 million above the president's request. It also includes more than $1 billion for the FAA's NextGen modernization program and $7 million for alternative general aviation fuels research to help transition the fleet to an unleaded aviation fuel. 

In addition, an explanatory statement was included in the legislation regarding the possibility of air traffic control privatization, which said: "The attempt to remove the air traffic control system from the FAA is fraught with risk, could lead to uncontrollable cost increases to consumers, and could ultimately harm users of and operators in the system, including the flying public, the aviation community, FAA's workforce, and the small towns in rural America that rely on access to the national airspace."  More...
 

Got STCs You Are Willing to Sell?
AEA member companies can submit STC packages to be listed in the AEA's online STC library at no charge to the member. The AEA STC online database is available exclusively to fellow AEA members.  Simply email your STC listings to  aaronw@aea.net  with the following information for each STC listing:
  • Aircraft Type
  • STC Number
  • Description
  • Company
  • Contact First Name
  • Contact Last Name
  • Phone
  • Email
  • Specify if this is an ADS-B STC (Y/N)
This members-only website also lists AEA member designated engineering representatives, an STC certification documents library, along with a link to the Federal Aviation Administration's STC database . More...  


2016 General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey Cleared for Takeoff  
The 39th 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 received 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.

On the Radar
Upcoming AEA and industry events


EBACE: Geneva, Switzerland
May 22-24, 2017
The 2017 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition takes place at Geneva's Palexpo. Thousands of business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel and all manner of people involved in nearly every aspect of business aviation will meet to conduct business and make buying decisions for the year ahead. EBACE exhibits will showcase more than 500 exhibitors and 60 business aircraft on static display. More...


ASA Annual Conference: Reston, Virginia
July 9-11, 2017
The ASA Annual Conference is for the aviation distributor industry. Each year, ASA provides attendees with a variety of business development and management, quality assurance, legal/regulatory and general industry topics in one event. More...


EAA AirVenture: Oshkosh, Wisconsin
July 24-30, 2017
For seven days from sunrise to well past sunset, Oshkosh is filled with dazzling displays of aerobatics, informative programs and hands-on workshops, diverse aircraft spanning all eras of flight, concerts and more. More...
 
Garmin Ad for Wired The Connection
Meet the leaders in the general aviation industry


A Conversation With Ryan Paulson of Moorhead Aviation Services 
Moorhead Aviation Services became a member of the Aircraft Electronics Association earlier this year. Located at Moorhead Municipal Airport in Glyndon, Minnesota, the company offers aircraft maintenance, fuel and on-site management. Recently, Avionics News spoke with Ryan Paulson, avionics manager, to learn about the new company and his life outside the hangar . More...  

In the Classroom 
Professional development opportunities


Register Now Button 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... 


Register Now Button Avionics Installation and Integration Training:
Aug. 21-23, 2017
This course is designed for technicians who have completed AEA's Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation Course and/or have a couple of years of basic avionics installation practice and are looking for more experience integrating common general aviation installations. Technicians will learn how to plan, install, interface, configure and check out an installation consisting of a Garmin GTN 650 touch-screen nav/com/GPS, Garmin GTX 33ES remote transponder and an Aspen EFD1000 primary flight display. More... 


Register Now Button Pitot-static and Transponder Certification Training with ADS-B Implementation Session:
Aug. 24, 2017
Attendees will learn the proper methods for conducting pitot-static and transponder certification testing. This full-day course offers hands-on training, including a regulatory review and an explanation of the proper administrative procedures for completing these critical certifications. With so many questions surrounding ADS-B. this course will provide the answers and what you need to know to meet the mandate. More...
 

Register Now Button RVSM Maintenance and Advanced Transponder Training:
Aug. 25, 2017
Attendees will be introduced to the regulations, documentation, test equipment and maintenance practices associated with performing RVSM maintenance and will follow with an in-depth look at Mode S transponders. This course assumes the attendee has good operating knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations 91.411 and 91.413. More... 

The Static
News from AEA member companies


L3 AVIATION PRODUCTS   received TSO authorization and an AML-STC for its EFI-650 cockpit display, a new integrated Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display designed for regional and legacy corporate aircraft, as part of an alliance with Thomas Global Systems.  L3's new EFI-650 will be offered as a retrofit option during maintenance of in-service aircraft with older displays. This solution will be available for several aircraft operated by regional airlines and business jet operators, as well as for maintenance, repair and overhaul entities. 

PRO STAR AVIATION received  FAA approval for the amendment to STC ST00158BO, which adds upgraded single or dual UNIVERSAL AVIONICS Flight Management Systems for satellite-based augmentation system-capability. The newly amended STC applies to Cessna Citations; 550, 550 Bravo, 560, 560XL and 560XLS series aircraft.  The certified installation includes either Universal Avionics single UNS-1Espw FMS and LP/LPV Monitor, or dual UNS-1Lw FMSs; both with the company's latest software version, SCN 1001.X. 

FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL announced a new Aviation Maintenance Management Program developed and offered in conjunction with Service Elements. This new three-day course is provided at FlightSafety's Maintenance Training Center in Dallas, Texas. It is designed to enhance the skills of current aircraft maintenance department managers and help those who aspire to hold leadership positions in the future. ANDREW MORRIS joined the company as director of commercial air transport simulator sales. 

EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY will offer a five-day course in avionics, May 15-19, at the Daytona Beach campus. The course introduces engineers and technicians to modern avionics. 

DUNCAN AVIATION delivered the first Citation CJ3 aircraft equipped with the ROCKWELL COLLINS Pro Line Fusion flight deck upgrade, which transforms the pilot's flight experience and meets upcoming NextGen mandates. The system received supplement type certification from the FAA April 21. Duncan Aviation also updated the Cabin Management System Straight Talk Book, which helps clarify the latest technologies available for wirelessly controlling cabin audio/visual systems, temperature and lighting. In the first quarter of 2017, Duncan Aviation and its satellite shops completed 47 ADS-B installations and have an additional 51 scheduled for the second quarter. As a result of the recent comments by the FAA's acting deputy administrator, Victoria Wassmer, Duncan Aviation has seen an uptick in the number of ADS-B upgrades scheduled for the third and fourth quarters of 2017. 

CAPITAL AVIATION in Bethany, Oklahoma, received approval from Mexico's civil aviation authority, the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil, that allows Capital Aviation to offer increased avionics, paint and interior services to Mexican registered aircraft (XA, XB, and XC). 

VECTOR AEROSPACE is supporting the needs of Bell Huey helicopter operators worldwide with its UH-1H3 ("Hot, High, Heavy") upgrade and modernization program, which  offers operators a portfolio of technical solutions to customize the Huey to their specific requirements. 

AVIONICA has been contracted by Icelandair to provide products and services to e-Enable Icelandair's 16 new B737MAX aircraft. Beginning this year and continuing through 2019 when final aircraft deliveries are made, Icelandair will install Avionica's e-Enabled avionics that include satLINK MAX Iridium satellite communications system and aviONS Onboard Network Server

ROCKWELL COLLINS delivered its first Iridium ICS-300 SATCOM units to Boeing for its 737 MAX aircraft. Rockwell Collins was selected by Air France-KLM to provide its visual systems for a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator and upgrades to the existing flight training devices. In addition, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's C919 took its first flight, equipped with Rockwell Collins' communication and navigation solutions, and Integrated Surveillance System for the flight deck. 

ASTRONICS CORP.through its wholly-owned subsidiary Astronics Max-Viz, certified its 2300 Enhanced Vision System to the DO-160G standard. 

PACIFIC COAST AVIONICS completed a new 5,000-square-foot hangar expansion at Aurora State Airport, located south of Portland, Oregon. 

GULF COAST AVIONICS completed an extensive avionics upgrade on a Pilatus PC-9 single-engine turboprop for a private owner. In addition, the GCA family of companies was appointed as the exclusive North American dealers for a new lightweight, 760-channel handheld air band radio from REXON Technology Corporation. 

JEPPESEN and ForeFlight entered into a long-term strategic alliance to combine their capabilities and worldwide content. Together, Jeppesen and ForeFlight will build on their common heritage of delivering superior data and software to pilots and flight operations around the globe. Jeppesen also teamed with Teledyne Controls to integrate Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro with Teledyne's GroundLink Comm+ system with Aircraft Interface Device functionality, known as GroundLink AID+. Jeppesen also signed an agreement with The Weather Company, an IBM Business, to have The Weather Company serve as the primary weather source across Jeppesen and Boeing aviation products. 

FLIGHTSTAR CORP. named ROBERT "BOB" DORSEY quality control manager. 

AVMAX recently purchased one Cessna Citation Ultra msn 560-0409 from NXT Energy Solutions Inc., Alberta. 

STANDARDAERO's large transport category completions center, Associated Air Center, recently redelivered an A319 VVIP aircraft cabin refurbishment and scheduled maintenance for a repeat, longtime Asian customer. AAC designed the new look cabin along with entertainment and seating upgrades. 

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. announced that the third Gulfstream G600 test aircraft successfully completed its first flight. The move comes after the first G600 flight in mid-December 2016. 

DAC INTERNATIONAL renewed its worldwide partnership agreement for the distribution of the Esterline CMA-6800 LCD Display. 

FIELD AVIATION completed development of its Dash 8 100/200/300 Series ADS-B Out solution, and will be delivering the first prefabricated kit this week. 

CMD FLIGHT SOLUTIONS added more foreign validations to its line of ADS-B Out solutions. EASA validation was received on the Part 23 ADS-B Out STC (SA04051CH) utilizing the Rockwell Collins TDR-94/94D Transponder and the Honeywell Primus II Radio Suite ADS-B Out STC (ST04159CH). All of CMD's ADS-B Out STCs now have EASA validation. Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil validation was received on CMD's Part 25 ADS-B Out STC (ST03424CH) utilizing the Rockwell Collins TDR-94/94D Transponder. DGAC validation on the Part 23 TDR-94/94D transponder STC and the Part 25 H/W Primus II Radio ADS-B Out STC are expected in June 2017. 

CLAY LACY AVIATION established a scholarship fund to help students attending the Orange Coast College Aviation Science program earn their private, instrument and commercial pilot license. 

CONSTANT AVIATION reached an agreement to open a new location in Mesa, Arizona. 
 
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 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.