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AEA Wired by Aircraft Electronics Association
Feb. 10, 2016
Keeping the general aviation industry connected
The Current 
News from the general aviation industry
 
 
FAA logo FAA Funding Bill Includes Focus on Small Aircraft Certification
On Feb. 3, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) introduced the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act, a six-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. The current authorization of the FAA expires March 31. The proposed legislation includes plans to establish an independent, not-for-profit corporation, outside of the federal government, to modernize and provide U.S. air traffic control services. 

According to the press release issued by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the federally chartered air traffic control corporation will be governed by a board representing the aviation system's users and the public interest.
The reauthorization bill also includes language to appoint committees and boards to preside over streamlining the FAA's aviation equipment and aircraft certification processes, directs the FAA to provide more workforce training, and addresses aviation safety issues that includes the promotion and streamlined certification of safety-enhancing equipment. 

The bill was introduced just a few days after Congressional leaders in both the House and Senate expressed bipartisan opposition to privatized air traffic control funded with user fees.  Click here to read the opposition letter from House members.  Click here to read the opposition letter from members of the Senate. 

"At first glance of the 270-page bill, the AEA is pleased the legislation addresses easing the burdens of certification and includes language that FAA aviation safety inspectors need more training to perform their jobs," said Paula Derks, AEA president. "However, we are extremely troubled with the proposed privatization of the air traffic control system.  Our concerns include an unbalanced representation of general aviation interests on the board who will oversee the privatization as well as increased operational costs within the industry, which will be financed by a user fee scheme. Lobbied for by all major airlines, with the exception of Delta, we feel this privatization proposal is a power play by the airlines to dictate what fees the general aviation industry will pay in the future.  Click here  to read the proposed AIRR Act in its entirety.  More...  


Garmin Unveils GTX 345/335 All-in-One ADS-B Transponders
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Garmin introduced its new GTX 345 and GTX 335 all-in-one ADS-B transponders that include Extended Squitter ADS-B Out with options for built-in WAAS, as well as dual-link ADS-B In. According to Garmin, the GTX 345/335 integrate on a variety of current and legacy Garmin displays, including select G1000 Integrated Flight Decks. The GTX 345/335 have received the FAA's Technical Standard Order authorization and is expected to receive STC later this month. More... 

Sponsored by TGH Aviation Instruments & Avionics Regulatory Update
All the latest from the international aviation authorities

 
AEA Submits Comments on AC 43-210A
The AEA is submitting comments on draft Advisory Circular 43-210A. The draft AC describes a standardized procedure for requesting approval of technical data associated with major alterations/repairs for certified products, and includes guidance for obtaining field approval of data, instructions for completing the field approval checklist, and determining if a proposed repair/alteration requires approved data. The changes to this AC are mostly format changes, and few technical changes. The AEA is submitting recommended textual changes to improve clarity of the AC.  More...  


Frequently Asked Questions in the U.S.
What is the range of the ADS-B radio station? Learn the answer in this month's Avionics News. More...

Sponsored by Pacific Southwest Instruments On the Radar 
Upcoming AEA and industry events


HAI Heli-Expo: Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 29-March 3
Heli-Expo is  the world's largest helicopter trade show and exposition. The event begins Feb. 29 with exhibits open March 1-3. More...


Sun 'n Fun International Fly-in & Expo: Lakeland, Florida, April 5-10
The year marks the 42nd annual event that brings together approximately 200,000 general aviation guests, exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and performers. More...


Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition: Shanghai, China, April 12-14
ABACE brings together more than 8,500 business aviation leaders, entrepreneurs, and other purchase decision-makers. In partnership with the Shanghai Airport Authority and co-hosted by the National Business Aviation Association and the Asian Business Aviation Association, ABACE takes place at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre. More...


Civil Avionics International Forum: Shanghai, China, April 19-21
Approved by the China Association for Science and Technology, and organized by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the fifth annual CAIF will deliver the latest civil avionics industry layout in China, and discuss the avionics research and development trends, airworthiness certification and flight reliability. More...


AEA International Convention & Trade Show: Orlando, Florida, April 27-30
The 59th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show is the largest gathering of general aviation avionics manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations in the world. It is the platform of choice for the introduction of new avionics products and services coming to the marketplace in 2016. Advance registrations may be made online through April 1. More...

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


Timberline Helicopters Plans to put Blackhawks to Work
Based in Sandpoint, Idaho, Timberline Helicopters offers heavy lifting and construction services in the northwestern U.S. To keep its helicopters flying under the demanding conditions, the company added an FAA repair station in the spring of 2014 to perform maintenance, repairs, modifications and installations. The company has grown its helicopter fleet, adding a Bell UH-1H, MD Helicopters MD 530F, two Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawks, as well as an Airbus AS350 AStar, which it has since sold.  More...  

In the Classroom 
Professional development opportunities


Register Now Button Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation: Feb. 22-24
The course is designed for currently employed repair station personnel, A&P mechanics, and others interested in improving or acquiring the skills necessary to perform avionics installations in general aviation aircraft. This three-day seminar employs in-depth theory and hands-on lab exercises to immerse the seminar 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: Feb. 25
The 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 Digital Databus Theory and Analysis Training: Feb. 26
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...

EDMO Distributors The Static
News from AEA member companies

 
DUNCAN AVIATION  completed an industry-first Controller Pilot Data Link Communications/Future Air Navigation System 1/A+ installation. The STC was recently issued by the FAA and covers the Challenger 601. The installation features the upgraded NZ-2000 Honeywell Flight Management System, which integrates with current Challenger 601 OEM flight decks. In addition, JOE HUFFMAN SR.an FAA certification engineer, and BERNARD MICHAEL, a former long-time technician, were recently honored as recipients of the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. 

UNIVERSAL AVIONICS SYSTEMS CORP.  MFD-890R Multi-Function Display has been selected by Ravn Alaska with integrations currently underway through the Engineering Division at Avmax (Calgary). The advanced MFD system delivers critical flight safety information and weather to Dash 8 operators. 

MID-CONTINENT INSTRUMENTS AND AVIONICS named TOM GENOVESE senior account manager. He previously served as director of sales for the company.

ARC AVIONICS CORP., a wholly-owned business unit of AirSpeed Engineering, announced completion and delivery of a B737-400C as avionics-compliant for EASA-SESAR operations. ARC, as Universal Avionics integrator, installed STC - ST03662AT for dual UNS-1Fw FMS and future UL-801 DataLink capability. 

BANYAN AIR SERVICE and GARMIN will play host to a free, one-day event on Feb. 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP operators to discuss Garmin's pending STCs and to experience the new G5000 kiosk. 

EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY will play host to several webinars in 2016 featuring aviation safety and business topics, ranging from aircraft automation and the degradation of pilot skills to project management and resume writing. The first event takes place Feb. 11. 

FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL promoted STEVE GROSS to senior vice president, commercial. He is responsible for FlightSafety's business aviation and regional airline training sales activities worldwide. 

JET AVIATION ST. LOUIS said it has completed three FANS installations in Challenger 604s with three more booked. The installations are possible after Jet Aviation St. Louis received FAA approval for an STC. In addition, the company completed the installation of a sophisticated system of controls for climate, air quality, and final finish in the Paint Shop that is already known throughout the industry for delivering a top-quality aircraft paint job. 

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. said that several of its service centers recently earned approved maintenance organization designations from civil aviation authorities worldwide, increasing maintenance and repair options for customers. It also named WALTER STARK regional vice president of sales for Southern Europe. The company also received FAA approval to install ADS-B In avionics on G150 and G200 aircraft. Gulfstream also completed flutter testing on the G500, achieving another milestone in the new aircraft's flight-test program.

CONSTANT AVIATION named SCOTT SWEENEY vice president, operations, for Birmingham and Las Vegas. The company also announced the addition of the 650 aircraft and Satcom Direct Router to its Legacy Wi-Fi STC.

JEPPESEN said KEVIN CROWLEY is succeeding MARK VAN TINE as Jeppesen chief executive officer and vice president, Digital Aviation, for Boeing. Van Tine will retire June 30, 2016, after more than 35 years with the company. 

SOUTHEAST AEROSPACE partnered with China Trancomm, Cobham, Inmarsat and Delta G Design to certify the Cobham Aviator 300 system, fitted with Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband Safety capability for Airline Operational Communications messaging, on Shenzhen Airlines' Boeing 737-800 fleet. 

ROCKWELL COLLINS received an FAA STC for its Pro Line Fusion avionics upgrade for King Air 350 turboprops originally delivered with Pro Line II avionics. The company also introduced its GLU-2100 next-generation MMR for air transport aircraft.

AVIDYNE announced it is offering a new lower-priced IFD440 FMS/GPS/NAV/COM, starting at $12,399, including mounting tray and installation kit. 

PEREGRINE's TCAS II 7.1 STC was extended further to provide coverage for additional Challenger models (CL-600 and CL-601) and the Gulfstream GV. This STC provides an approved upgrade of the BendixKing CAS 67 system on the many legacy Gulfstream, Falcon, Hawker, Challenger and Learjet aircraft models. 

VIH AEROSPACE is taking part in a Canadian trade delegation to Asia, Feb. 7-20, as part of a contingent of leading aerospace companies operating in British Columbia, Canada. 

FREEFLIGHT SYSTEMS said that QantasLink, Australia's largest regional airline, has selected the FreeFlight 1203C SBAS/GNSS sensor for retrofit into its DHC-8-200/300 series of aircraft.

BLUE AVIONICSBA-440 system was certified by Flying Colours on its ADS-B Out DO-260B STC for Challenger 300 aircraft. 

ALTO AVIATION launched the 2016 Gulfstream Cabin Audio & Entertainment Upgrade Programs, specifically designed to provide the business aviation Gulfstream retrofit/aftermarket aircraft with a way to upgrade the cabin audio system. 

REBTECH announced the recent approval by the Korean Office of Civil Aviation for a night vision modification to a civil operated Russian made KA-32 helicopter. 

HONEYWELL completed the acquisition of Ontario, Canada-based COM DEV International, a satellite and space components provider of switches and multiplexers. 

PRO STAR AVIATION successfully completed its first FANS 1/A upgrade of a Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft. This installation took just two weeks and was accomplished in conjunction with a 12/24 month inspection. 

MAXCRAFT AVIONICS received FAA validation of its Transport Canada STC SH15-43 (FAA STC SA03641NY) for installation of the SKY899 TCAS-1 System or upgrade of existing SKY497 Skywatch TAS to SKY899 TCAS-I in the Beech 200 / 200C / B200 / B200C / 300 / B300 / B300C KingAir Series.

Mystery Make & Model
Guess the make and model -- enter for chance to win $100 Visa gift card


Click to enlarge
Congratulations to Cesar Camacho of Gulf Coast Avionics in Lakeland, Florida, who won a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Southeast Aerospace, for knowing the correct product make and model featured in the previous issue of AEA Wired. 

The correct answer was a Collins 17L-8A VHF Transmitter.

Avionics technicians can put their  "inside" knowledge to work in the next issue of AEA Wired. Stay tuned for the next Mystery Make & Model challenge!
 

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 43 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 marketing
Phone: 816-347-8400
Email: laurenm@aea.net

The "AEA Wired" e-newsletter is published twice a month by the AEA.