News from the general aviation industry

 

 

2015 Rate and Labor Survey now Available to AEA Members

The percentage of Aircraft Electronics Association members in the U.S. expecting their business to grow in the next 12 months surged to 81 percent of respondents in this year's AEA Rate and Labor Survey, marking four straight years of growing optimism. This figure is up compared to the 69 percent of shops that expected future growth in 2014, and the 62 percent in 2013 and 56 percent in 2012. The Federal Aviation Administration's ADS-B Out equipage mandate is once again fueling the optimism, but marketing efforts and better feelings about the economy are cited as business drivers, as well. Nearly half of the survey respondents listed the ADS-B equipage mandate as the reason they expect their business to increase compared to only one-third the prior year. For a complete look at the 2015 AEA Rate and Labor Survey and analysis of the results, AEA members may view the entire report online after entering their member login on the AEA's website. More... 

Gogo Announces 4G Connectivity Solution for Business Aircraft

In a new product announcement this morning, the Gogo Biz 4G will be available at the beginning of 2017. According to the AEA member company in Broomfield, Colorado, the Gogo Biz 4G will give business aircraft passengers "the speed they need" to power their digital lifestyles in flight. Created specifically for the business aviation market, the Gogo Biz 4G is a specially-designed application of Gogo's latest air-to-ground technology. The Gogo Biz 4G equipment package will incorporate dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi service and a host of other features -- all from a single, lightweight box. John Wade, Gogo Business Aviation's executive vice president and general manager, said, "We cracked the code on in-flight connectivity many years ago, and we're excited to continue offering more and more performance to customers. Gogo Biz 4G is a solution business aircraft operators can count on. It leverages Gogo's proven air-to-ground network and technology that has already flown hundreds of thousands of hours aboard thousands of business and commercial aircraft." More...

Aspen Avionics Receives U.S. Patent for Connected Panel

AEA member company Aspen Avionics, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was  awarded a U.S. patent for its Connected Panel wireless cockpit system. According to the company, the patent, first applied for in 2011, is the industry's only FAA-certified and patented avionics technology to safely interface wirelessly with noncertified mobile devices such as the Apple iPad or Android devices before, during and after flight.  "Early on in 2010, we realized we were witnessing an historic and rapid transformation of how noncertified wireless devices such as the iPad coupled with flight planning applications were being used in the cockpit," said John Uczekaj, Aspen president and CEO. "We were the first to recognize that we could transform the way pilots fly by establishing two-way wireless communications with these devices to certified avionics to help the pilot with a number of tasks, including flight planning, weather, and information management." More...

Help Make History Fly

In an effort to raise funds for flight testing, Doc's Friends, the nonprofit organization managing the B-29 "Doc" restoration, launched a Kickstarter campaign on Sept. 30. The group has 30 days to reach a goal of $137,500. Costs associated with this amount include fuel, maintenance, insurance and others. Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform that allows friends, fans, and total strangers the opportunity to fund projects, in return for rewards. Kickstarter has an "all or nothing" rule, where the project can only collect the funds if the goal has been reached by the set deadline .  More...  

All the latest from the international aviation authorities

 

EASA Mandates FAA Form 8130-3 Traceability for U.S.-based EASA 145 repair stations

On Sept. 8, the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration signed Change 5 to the Maintenance Annex Guidance of the EU/FAA Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement making a number of changes to the administration of repair stations and adding the provision to the special conditions mandating that new products used on European-registered aircraft and products must have an accompanying FAA Form 8130.3. The AEA has joined with a coalition of industry partners requesting the authorities to extend the 90-day implementation period for the new FAA Form 8130-3 mandate (click here for petition). Continue to watch AEA.net for the latest information as this issue continues to unfold.  The association has scheduled a webinar to discuss the FAA Form 8130-3 requirements and other MAG changes at 11 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. Registration details for the webinar will follow later this week.   More... 

Upcoming AEA and industry events

FLYING Aviation Expo: Palm Springs, California, Oct. 15-17

This event offers a platform for pilots and aviation enthusiasts to experience a wide selection of hands-on products and static displays with 75 aircraft. More... 

AEA South Pacific Regional Meeting: Queenstown, New Zealand, Nov. 2-3

Regulatory officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia will speak at this event, which takes place at the Millennium Hotel in Queenstown. Register online by Oct. 27. More... 

NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition: Las Vegas, Nov. 17-19

The NBAA's Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition will bring together 26,000 key aviation contacts from around the world, including current and prospective business aircraft owners, manufacturers and customers into one meeting place. More...

AEA Connect Europe: Cologne, Germany, Jan. 26-27

The city of Cologne, Germany, will serve as the host site for the AEA Connect Europe conference on Jan. 26-27, 2016. Formerly known as the AEA Regional Meetings, AEA Connect is a two-day conference where repair stations, manufacturers, regulators and educators come together to do business. The event offers a networking venue with regulatory and technical training sessions and an exhibit hall filled with the latest avionics technologies and services. More... 

Meet the leaders in the general aviation industry

A Conversation With Hamed Baher of Airbus Defense and Space Military Aircraft

A member of the Airbus Group family, Airbus Defense and Space Military Aircraft Inc. offers MRO services, complete component repair, extensive material services and professional engineering and technical support for C212, CN235 and C295 aircraft. Recently, Avionics News spoke with Hamed Baher, the lead avionics engineer, to learn more about his work and life outside the office.   More...  

 

Aerovalley Technologies Keeps Evolving

AEA member company Aerovalley Technologies has evolved to keep up with demand and provide customers with simple and effective solutions. Today, it spans three facilities in southern Australia, servicing aircraft and avionics, as well as manufacturing aircraft products and components.   More...

Professional development opportunities

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...