AEA Wired by Aircraft Electronics Association
June 28, 2017
Keeping the general aviation industry connected
The Current 
News from the general aviation industry
 

Sept. 18 is Last Day to Reserve FAA's $500 ADS-B Rebate
Attention aircraft owners and pilots: The last day to reserve one of the Federal Aviation Administration's $500 rebates for ADS-B Out compliance is Monday, Sept. 18, 2017. The FAA is offering a $500 rebate to help owners of single-engine, piston aircraft equip now with the required avionics. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, aircraft must be equipped with ADS-B Out to fly in most controlled airspace. Federal Regulations 14 CFR 91.225 and 14 CFR 91.227 contain the details. The program will run through Sept. 18 or until all 20,000 rebates have been claimed, whichever comes first. Eligible aircraft are defined as U.S.-registered, fixed-wing, single-engine piston aircraft whose operation requires an onboard pilot, first registered before Jan 1, 2016. More...


AEA and Industry Groups Support FLIGHT ACT of 2017
The Aircraft Electronics Association and 27 other industry organizations recently sent letters to congressional leaders expressing support for the Forward-Looking Investment in GA, Hangars, and Tarmacs (FLIGHT) Act of 2017. The Senate bill (S. 1320) was introduced by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and the House bill (HR 2879) was introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.).

The bipartisan FLIGHT Act addresses the growing needs of our nation's system of airports by providing the FAA with long overdue flexibility, within existing budget parameters, to fund important airport infrastructure projects at general aviation and small airport facilities. Maintaining and upgrading runways, taxiways, and aprons, and meeting the need for new hangars, helps keep these airports and the communities that rely on them vibrant and competitive. 

The FLIGHT Act also creates a public-private partnership pilot program that will help airports attract private sector investment for the construction of hangars or other facilities. This program will help many cash strapped communities and go a long way in helping replace aging facilities and develop airports for the future. More...

Regulatory Update
All the latest from the international aviation authorities


FAA logo Revision to Operations Specifications Policy
The FAA revised its national policy (FAA Order 8900.1) to incorporate new information into Volume 3, Chapter 18, Section 10. It revised operations specifications A001 -- Issuance and Applicability; A003 -- Ratings and Limitations; A007 -- Designated Persons; A025 -- Electronic/Digital Recordkeeping System, Electronic/Digital Signature, and Electronic Media; A060 -- European Safety Agency Ratings for Repair Stations Located outside of the United States; A101 -- Additional Fixed Locations; A449 -- Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program; B050 -- Geographic Authorizations for Repair Stations Located outside the United States; D100 -- Work to be Performed at a Place Other Than the Repair Station's Fixed Location; and D107 -- Line Maintenance Authorization to consolidate guidance for completing OpSpecs pertaining to 14 CFR Part 145.   More...  


Transport Canada Issues NPA to Revise ELT requirements for Appendix C of Standard 625 and Appendix G of AWM 571
One year after the industry working group met to discuss changes to the emergency locator transmitter requirements, the TCCA issued the notice of proposed amendment to change Appendix C of Standard 625 and Appendix G of AWEM 571. This is reflective of the new CARAC process and shortening the time to process regulatory changes. As both changes revise the standards, the TCCA has the option for simplified processing of the changes. Comments on these changes will be accepted for a short period, and then those comments will be processed. Provided there is no major dissension, the changes should go to Canada Gazette II later this summer. The proposed changes have been developed from the recommendations of the ELT working group that met last spring and, by in large, are worded exactly as proposed 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


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...


Register Now Button 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...


Register Now Button 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...

Garmin Ad for Wired The Connection
Meet the leaders in the general aviation industry


Smart moves keep Airport Radio nimble
As co-owner of Airport Radio, chief inspector and avionics technician, Charlie Blackert is resourceful and adaptable -- important traits in an industry easily influenced by changing economics.  It started nearly 30 years ago when Blackert transitioned from electronics to aviation, and opened his own business servicing general aviation avionics in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area. 

"I was looking for a career change and always had a love for aviation," said Blackert, who co-owns Airport Radio with Jim Gallagher, an entrepreneur who own several aviation companies. "I started my training as a pilot. I applied my knowledge in electronics to get my mechanics and radio license to start an avionics business." 

Today, Airport Radio repairs, services and installs avionics on primarily Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, Mooney and Citation aircraft. It is an a uthorized dealer for most major avionics manufacturers . More...  

In the Classroom 
Professional development opportunities


Register Now Button 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...


Register Now Button 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...


Register Now Button 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...


Register Now Button 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 touchscreen nav/com/GPS, Garmin GTX 33 ES 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... 

Avionics Careers
Job postings, career resources and scholarships


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, 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? More...


Need to Post a Job? The AEA Works for You!
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
 
The Static
News from AEA member companies


uAVIONIX CORP.  introduced PingStation, an all-weather, networkable ADS-B receiver for low- and high-altitude aircraft surveillance. PingStation may be permanently mounted outdoors in harsh environmental conditions and is small enough to be used as a mobile asset for roaming operations. 

DUNCAN AVIATION named TIFFANY GRIFFIN to the paint and modification sales team at its Battle Creek, Michigan, facility. In addition, line service team members from Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Lincoln, Nebraska, recently completed specialized training from Gulfstream and FlightSafety International. Duncan Aviation's satellite avionics facility located at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, received certification from Mexico's Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil. The certificate is good for two years. 

AVMAX purchased one Boeing 737-382QC aircraft msn 24364 from European Aviation Ltd., United Kingdom. This is the second -300QC Avmax has acquired from European Aviation. 

DAC INTERNATIONAL  signed a distribution agreement with RDDS Avionics Limited to promote and sale of its products. The company also received Canadian Acceptance of supplemental type certificate for the Esterline CMA-6800 Display for the Sikorsky S76B/C Helicopter. The STC includes the S76C+ and S76C++ models. DAC International also received an STC for the Avionik Straubing Dual Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance Vertical Navigation Converter for the Cessna 525 Citation Jet 1/2/3; the STC includes the C525, 525A and 525B models. 

ESTERLINE's Avionics Systems business unit was awarded a contract by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. to supply its cockpit avionics for PC-21 turboprop trainer aircraft for the French Air Force. Esterline also showcased its latest pilot interface products at the Paris Air Show, including a recently released selection of Korry 389 5/8-inch LED switches configured as annunciators for ADS-B GPS transceivers. In addition, Esterline will supply distributor Triman Industries Inc. with its Korry-branded press-to-test indicators for resale to the Defense Logistic Agency. Esterline was awarded a five-year contract to supply its Korry-branded control devices to Rossell Techsys for final assembly into control panels for the Boeing AH-64E Apache military attack
helicopter program. 

ASTRONAUTICS CORPORATION OF AMERICA's new RoadRunner electronic flight instrument--in cooperation with Regourd Aviation and AEROTEC--completed demonstration flights on an Agusta A109 helicopter at the Paris Air Show. The company also will provide its newest connectivity platform, the Astronautics Air Ground Communications System, to Airbus Helicopters as a connectivity solution for the original equipment manufacturer's production helicopters. 

ELLIOTT AVIATION named MITCH BOYLES director of avionics at its MRO facility in Moline, Illinois. 

AVIATION SPECIALTIES UNLIMITED valued partner awards were presented to Austria-based Helikopter Air Transport GmbH (HeliAir) and Paris, France-based LFE by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter at the Paris Air Show. The valued partner awards are presented by the state of Idaho in recognition of companies that play a vital role in the support or partnership with Idaho-based companies. 

REBTECH completed a night vision compatible conversion of the Air Tractor AT-502, 502A, 502B and AT-504 agricultural spray aircraft. 

FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL signed an agreement with Flight Simulation Technique Centre in India for the purchase of a full flight simulator for the Bombardier Q400 aircraft. 

HONEYWELL successfully completed a two-year testing program with NASA to bring a new business aviation pilot interface for supersonic flight to the aviation industry. The program was aimed at demonstrating the successful integration of predictive sonic boom software and display technology into business jet cockpits. 

L3 TECHNOLOGIES delivered its 4,000th MX-Series electro-optical/infrared imaging turret since the initial launch of the product line in 1997. 

ACSS announced that its T3CAS Integrated Surveillance System was selected by Airbus Helicopters as standard equipment for its new H160 medium-lift, multi-role commercial transport helicopter. 

ROCKWELL COLLINS' Dispatch 100 avionics maintenance and support program was selected by SilkAir for its Boeing 737 MAX fleet. 

McMURDO unveiled its new Kannad Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System-compliant Distress Tracking ELT at the Paris Air Show. 

COBHAM SATCOM's AVIATOR 200S cockpit-only light satcom system will be certified on the Airbus A350 XWB. 

CONSTANT AVIATION and Jet Support Services will present a free ADS-B webinar June 29. Register online to join the webinar. 

PITTSBURGH INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICS was recognized among the top schools fighting the nation's skills gap in a list published by Forbes

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. announced that the fourth Gulfstream G600 aircraft completed its debut flight just more than six weeks after the third aircraft. 

CMD FLIGHT SOLUTIONS received three additional foreign approvals on multiple ADS-B Out AML STCs. CMD received Mexico Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) validations and Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) approval on the Rockwell Collins TDR-94/94D and Honeywell Primus II Radio Suite AML STCs. 

JEPPESEN  is offering operators new features and functionality within its FliteDeck Pro EFB solution for airlines and large-scale operators. 

SPIRIT AERONAUTICS' president and COO, TONY BAILEY, was appointed to the Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology Committee for a second term. 
 
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.