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May 24, 2017
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Keeping the general aviation industry connected
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The Current
News from the general aviation industry
 Appeals Court Halts Drone Registration Rule
On May 19, a Washington, D.C., appeals court struck down a Federal Aviation Administration rule that required hobbyists and noncommercial drone operators to register and pay a $5 registration fee for recreational use. Citing safety concerns, the FAA introduced the rule in December 2015, but the court ruled that the agency lacks the authority to regulate model aircraft. According to the court decision, "In short, the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act provides that the FAA 'may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft,' yet the FAA's 2015 Registration Rule is a 'rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft.' Statutory interpretation does not get much simpler. The Registration Rule is unlawful as applied to model aircraft."
After the court's decision was announced, the FAA issued the following statement. "We are carefully reviewing the U.S. Court of Appeals decision as it relates to drone registrations. The FAA put registration and operational regulations in place to ensure that drones are operated in a way that is safe and does not pose security and privacy threats. We are in the process of considering our options and response to the decision."
More...
 AEA Unveils First-quarter 2017 Avionics Market Report
The Aircraft Electronics Association recently released its first-quarter 2017 Avionics Market Report.
In the first three months of the year, total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales amounted to $566,179,780.61, or more than $566 million as reported by the participating companies. The figure represented a 0.01 percent increase in sales compared to the first-quarter 2016 amount of $566,098,705.96. Although the sales amount was nearly identical to the first three months of 2016, it marked the first time since the fourth quarter of 2015 that sales increased during the same period from the previous year, snapping a string of seven consecutive quarterly reports showing a decrease in sales from the previous year. More...
 Looking for a Job in the Avionics Industry?
For individuals interested in pursuing professional opportunities in the avionics industry, the career listings page on the AEA website is your one-stop resource. Avionics technicians are specialists who install, maintain and repair an aircraft's electronic instruments, such as radio communication devices, radar systems and navigation aids. With the advancement of digital technology, technicians are required to maintain and configure complex computer systems. The AEA careers page provides informational links on how to get AET certified, avionics technician job summary and wages, and scholarship opportunities. Search the AEA's career listings and see what's on your horizon. Are you up to the challenge? More...
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 Regulatory Update
All the latest from the international aviation authorities
Associations Praise Update to Product Certification Guide
The Aerospace Industries Association, Aircraft Electronics Association and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association recently announced the approval of an updated FAA/Industry Guide to Product Certification. The last version of the guide was published in 2004.
The updated guide will help institutionalize best practices and a new operating norm for the FAA, companies and applicants that will prove to be foundational in reaching the next level of safety and certification process effectiveness and efficiency. It incorporates changes based on lessons learned and the most recently published FAA policy guidance. The guide also establishes principles and guidance for how an applicant and the FAA can transition to a state where there is progressively less direct involvement of the FAA in detailed compliance activities, increasing the efficiency of the process while maintaining the same high level of safety.
More...
Congressional Leaders Urge Aircraft Certification Reform
Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN) recently co-authored an op-ed piece published by The Hill. The article, titled "Why Congress needs to pass aircraft certification reform," noted that "Wasting our nation's aviation leadership would be a terrible thing. U.S. ingenuity has led to significant improvements in flight and in safety that have changed the world forever. Congress has a simple choice in the next Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization: We can further aviation manufacturing by removing barriers to aircraft certification, or we can fail to act and allow America's aviation sector to fall behind the rest of the world."
The op-ed concluded by stating, "As discussions continue on addressing various critical aviation and transportation policies, we urge our colleagues to join us in support of reforms to the aircraft certification process. That will help us honor the legacy of past aviation innovators while laying the foundation for future growth and technological innovations." 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.
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 On the Radar
Upcoming AEA and industry events
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...
 AEA U.S. West Connect Conference:
Reno, Nevada
Sept. 6-7, 2017
The Grand Sierra Resort plays host to this two-day event. Attendees must register in advance by Aug. 30, and hotel reservations should be made prior to Aug. 7. The AEA Connect Conferences offer a forum to see, hear and learn about all the new technology on the market, network with industry peers and discover best practices for the aviation repair station industry. More...
AEA U.S. East Connect Conference:
Jacksonville, Florida
Sept. 18-19, 2017
Attendees must register in advance by Sept. 11, and hotel reservations should be made at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverside no later than Aug. 26. More...
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 The Connection
Meet the leaders in the general aviation industry
 Aviation Aces: Brad Hayden of Robotic Skies
Brad Hayden's destiny was to be involved in the avionics industry. He was born in Olathe, Kansas, where his father, Steve, worked for King Radio.
"Steve was employee No. 9 with King and started when it was still in the farm house," Hayden said.
Hayden's father had an avionics bench in their home garage and worked at King during the day and did freelance work at night. "I'd go sit with him on the bench when I wasn't watching TV," he said. "I'd also go to the airport with him and hand him tools."
When his father left King, Steve flew as a contract pilot for a while and then went to work for Bonzer where he also was an early employee. It was there, too, where Steve crossed paths for the first time with Monte Mitchell, the first full-time executive director of the Aircraft Electronics Association. At Bonzer, Steve was involved with testing radar altimeters. "He'd fly grids back and forth testing for different reflective surfaces," Brad said
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More...
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 In the Classroom
Professional development opportunities
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...
Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation:
Aug. 7-9, 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
Aug. 10, 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...
IFR 6000 Operations Training:
Aug. 11, 2017
This course is designed to provide maintenance personnel with the knowledge and skills required to operate the IFR 6000 to verify and maintain transponder, UAT, TCAS, and DME systems. More...
Avionics Installation and Integration Training:
Aug. 21-23, 2017
This course is designed for technicians who have completed the AEA's Basic Wiring and 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 33 ES remote transponder and an Aspen EFD1000 primary flight display. More...
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...
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...
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 The Static
News from AEA member companies
PEREGRINE
received STC approval for an ADS-B Out solution using the Garmin GTX 330 ES for the Airbus Helicopters BK 117 Part 29 rotorcraft models. The STC allows for the transponder to be paired with the Garmin GNS 400W/500W series navigators
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GARMIN
introduced the Garmin Head-up Display (GHD 2100) for super-midsize, midsize and light business aircraft. The GHD system incorporates modern optical design within a single display unit, projecting a view of pertinent flight information while also offering integration with Garmin Integrated Flight Decks for a transition between the GHD and primary flight display. In addition, Garmin announced EASA approval of the next generation integrated flight deck, the G1000 NXi, in the King Air 200/300/350 aircraft models.
UNIVERSAL AVIONICS SYSTEMS CORP.'s EGNOS experts are on hand during the 2017 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition to help guide operators through the 2017 CEF funding application process.
DALLAS AVIONICS began taking orders for the NavWorx ADS600-B NexGen 2.0 system with expected certification and delivery to begin in early July.
The NavWorx ADS600-B NexGen 2.0, first introduced at the AEA Convention in New Orleans, is a TSO-certified 978 UAT system with ADS-B In and Out, built in compliant GPS and Wi-Fi.
AVIDYNE CORP.
received Agência Nacional De Aviação Civil-Brasil (ANAC) validation of its new IFD550 FMS/GPS/NAV/COM with Attitude Reference System. This certification also includes approval of Release 10.2 software that provides new features including Synthetic Vision and two-way wireless connectivity with Avidyne's new IFD100 iPad App. Avidyne also received ANAC approval for the new IFD545, IFD510 and IFD410 FMS/GPS systems.
COBHAM SATCOM announced successful live video transmission trials over the AVIATOR UAV 200 low SWAP satcom terminal.
SATCOM DIRECT and Lufthansa Technik extended nicemedia in-flight entertainment service to all platforms. It also signed a new exclusive provider agreement with Air Alsie, a Denmark-headquartered aircraft charter, ambulance operator and management company.
AVIONICA received an amended STC for its avWiFi product. The expanded STC builds on Avionica's connectivity capabilities from the cockpit to the terminal, as well as the connection between the cockpit and the airline's database at the gate so a carrier can take advantage of low-cost broadband data transfer.
STANDARDAERO's large transport category completions center, Associated Air Center, redelivered a custom cabin installation for a U.S.-based, VIP configured 737-500 "Classic" aircraft customer. It also redelivered an Airbus ACJ319 VIP aircraft this month, after installing a new CTT Systems CAIR cabin-wide humidification system via an FAA STC developed in conjunction with StandardAero's ODA team.
SOUTHEAST AEROSPACE's chief inspector, RANDALL PICKRON, received the FAA's Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award at the 2017 Sun 'n Fun Expo.
CUTTER AVIATION named SYLVIA GRAEBE as charter sales and aircraft acquisitions manager for the Charter & Flight Management Department based in Phoenix, Arizona. It also promoted TARA CREEL-CESENA to FBO general manager at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport.
ROCKWELL COLLINS announced that Boeing delivered its first 737 MAX to a customer, marking Rockwell Collins' largest content to-date on any single-aisle aircraft. It also announced a new Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics upgrade for the Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft. The company also will bring high-speed, secure worldwide KA-band connectivity to government aviation customers by expanding its Value Added Reseller arrangement for Inmarsat's Global Xpress service.
HONEYWELL completed the airline industry's first trial with Cathay Pacific to demonstrate how advanced data analytics can improve operational availability of its A330 fleet. Honeywell also signed an agreement for Hainan Airlines to become the first airline in the world to use Honeywell's GoDirect Maintenance Service program, which uses connectivity and data analytics to improve maintenance operations and reduce equipment downtime. Honeywell Aerospace and UAS International Trip Support announced a strategic alliance to expand Honeywell's flight deck and cabin connectivity services and offer robust, comprehensive international trip support services.
JEPPESEN and Tecnam signed an agreement to provide Jeppesen NavData and digital charts as part of the purchase process of new Tecnam aircraft. The preloaded data from Jeppesen will be selected by the owner/operator of the airplane to meet their individual flying needs.
DUNCAN AVIATION's component repair service is offering a guaranteed 14-day turn time on repair and overhaul services through July 31, 2017. The company also completed its eighth Dassault Falcon 7X 1C inspection with commitments for more. The company also announced that after an audit by the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations earlier this year, Duncan Aviation's Flight Department received its Stage III Safety Management System Certification in April 2017.
FLIGHTSTAR CORP. obtained approval from multiple international aviation agencies for its ADS-B Out STC and single FMS WAAS STC in the Bombardier Learjet 40 and Learjet 45 series aircraft. These approvals came from the EASA, TCCA, ANAC and DGAC.
CONSTANT AVIATION was named one of the top-performing Gogo Business Aviation dealers for the third consecutive year and fourth time in the company's history.
GOGO BUSINESS AVIATION announced the first 2Ku customer in business aviation. 2Ku is Gogo's satellite technology that delivers globally. K5-Aviation, based in Germany, is the first to install the technology that can only fit on larger private aircraft, and did so on an Airbus ACJ319. Gogo Business Aviation also unveiled a new suite of smart cabin systems -- SCS Elite and SCS Media -- which are highly integrated cabin, in-flight entertainment and voice solutions that can be personalized to fit the specific needs of passengers on board a given flight.
FLYING COLOURS CORP. completed the world's first executive jet refurbishment incorporating pre-engineered cabin components manufactured by Austria-based INAIRVATION.
AVIATION SPECIALTIES UNLIMITED
was chosen as the first company contracted to train the FAA Flight Standards Operations Inspectors and Aircraft Certification Pilots on the use of night vision goggles while operating fixed-wing aircraft. ASU will provide both initial training and recurrent training to the FAA beginning July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2020.
ACSS, which is managed by L3 Aviation Products,
announced that the FAA appointed ACSS as a holder of an ODA to issue STCs.
The STC ODA enables ACSS to act on behalf of the FAA in managing certification projects and determining compliance in accordance with stringent FAA procedures, guidelines and oversight. This designation permits ACSS to conduct more than a dozen specified functions and issue STCs and airworthiness certificates for more than 60 different types of commercial airliners and business jet models.
WESTERN AIRCRAFT received its sixth OSHA Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program award, one of only nine companies in Idaho to achieve SHARP status.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. announced the first fully outfitted Gulfstream G500 test aircraft made its European debut by setting a city-pair record from Savannah to Paris. The aircraft flew between the two cities in 7 hours and 40 minutes, covering the 3,788-nautical-mile/7,015-kilometer distance at an average speed of Mach 0.90. The Gulfstream G600 recently completed a 13-hour, 5-minute flight, its longest since the aircraft's flight-test program began in December. The company named Kaan Air Inc. as its commercial sales representative in Turkey.
VECTOR AEROSPACE received authorization from Safran Helicopter Engines to support the latest Arriel 2D model as a certified Repair Centre.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL
announced the start of new Master-level Advanced Training Courses for the Dassault Falcon 2000EX EASy and 900EX EASy series aircraft.
TREGO-DUGAN AVIATION of Grand Island, Nebraska, received an AML-STC from the FAA for installation of the Avidyne AXP340 Mode S Transponder coupled with a FreeFlight 1201 WAAS/GPS sensor for use as an approved ADS-B solution.
TRUENORTH, an SD Company, introduced a new FANS-1/A over Iridium data link unit with voice at EBACE 2017. DLU-vox will provide data link capabilities (ACARS, ADS-C, and CPDLC) plus flight deck safety voice capabilities in a small, lightweight, stand-alone form factor.
HONDA AIRCRAFT CO. expanded sales of the HondaJet to Southeast Asia and received multiple aircraft orders to support a new fractional ownership program in the United Kingdom and Southern Europe.
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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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