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Keeping the general aviation industry connected
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Worldwide Business and General Aviation Avionics Sales Up 13 Percent in First Quarter
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The Aircraft Electronics Association recently released its first-quarter 2018 Avionics Market Report. In the first three months of the year, total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales amounted to $639,796,979 or more than $639 million as reported by the participating companies. The figure represented a 13 percent increase in total sales compared to the first-quarter 2017 amount of $566,179,780.61, or more than $566 million. Of the more than $639 million in first-quarter 2018 sales, 56.8 percent came from the retrofit market, while forward-fit sales amounted to 43.2 percent of first-quarter sales.
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Contrary to Industry Chatter, These are
Certified Systems!
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AEA President Paula Derks set the record straight regarding the recent introduction of lower-cost certified equipment using a streamlined method of compliance to bring them to market. Derks noted in this month's Point of Communication column published in
Avionics News: "At the end of the day, manufacturers are using a method for certifying products with regulations that have been written for years. THEY ARE ALL STILL CERTIFIED ... but the pathway to certification is through PMA and not TSO. So despite all the outcry that the Federal Aviation Administration is now allowing non-certified equipment to be installed into certified aircraft, IT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE."
Click here to read Derks' full column, "Contrary to industry chatter, these are certified systems!"
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EASA Re-elects Patrick Ky as Executive Director
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The management board of the European Aviation Safety Agency announced the re-election by a unanimous vote of Patrick Ky as the agency’s executive director for a second term of five years.
"Later this year, a new scope of activities for the agency will be adopted by the EU," Ky said. "In parallel, the aviation industry is transforming at a faster pace than ever before. These are among the very exciting challenges that EASA will be faced with and that I am looking forward to take up with the support of the highly professional staff of the agency.”
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Senators Introduce Bill to Modernize Aviation Maintenance
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United States Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) recently introduced a bill to improve training programs at aviation maintenance technician schools. The legislation requires the FAA to modernize the mandated curriculum. The FAA regulations dictate what educational institutions teach aspiring aviation maintenance mechanics. These curriculum requirements, however, have not been updated in more than fifty years. Several general aviation industry groups, including the AEA, expressed support for the bill in a letter sent to Congressional leaders.
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SARSAT Beacon Accidental Prevention Initiative
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Help SARSAT prevent 406 MHz ELT false alerts, which is a non-distress activation of a 406 MHz emergency beacon (ELT, PLB, or EPIRB). It can be caused by accidental activation during testing, mishandling, improper installation, or unfamiliarity with beacon operation. In fact, 8,786 false alerts were generated by ELTs in the U.S. in 2017. Always conduct self-tests and annual tests according to the manufacturer’s instructions for your ELT. Each year, the majority of 406 MHz ELT false alerts occur during testing and maintenance. If you realize you have accidentally activated your beacon, call the U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at 1-800-851-3051 or the nearest FAA Air Traffic facility with your beacon’s hex ID ready to cancel the false alert. This helps protect Search and Rescue personnel who would otherwise be out looking during an actual emergency.
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2017 GA and Part 135 Activity Survey Cleared for Takeoff
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The 40th 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 Industry Events
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FAA and Industry Rotorcraft Forum
Fort Worth, Texas
May 22-23, 2018
The event takes place at the Tarrant County College Alliance Corporate Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Attendees will discuss the challenges and opportunities in the certification and installation of new avionics technologies in the rotorcraft market. The aim of the forum is to open the lines of communication between industry and the FAA's Rotorcraft Directorate.
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EBACE
Geneva, Switzerland
May 29-31, 2018
The 2018 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition will take place at Geneva’s magnificent 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.
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Global Connected Aircraft Summit
San Diego, California
June 4-6, 2018
The Global Connected Aircraft Summit brings together the world’s largest airlines and companies from across the aerospace and avionics industries to assess market lessons, potential demand and best practices in global connected solutions for the passenger, airline efficiency, and cutting-edge services.
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ASTM F46 Aerospace Personnel Meeting
Lee's Summit, Missouri
June 6-7, 2018
Join fellow AEA members and industry subject-matter experts in defining the knowledge and skill requirements for avionics technicians. All ASTM committee meetings are open to ASTM members and non-members. Advance registration is required.
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AEA Technology Incubator
Lee's Summit, Missouri
Aug. 16, 2018
Are you an inventor always coming up with something new; the vendor marketing the next great invention; the customer who designed a solution but doesn’t know the next step? The AEA Technology Incubator is designed to demystify the path forward to producing parts for certified aircraft with a focus on producing these parts under the FAA oversight. It will include presentations and discussions focused on understanding the FAA regulatory structure, as well as the Part 23 and production regulations, guidance and policies.
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AEA Canada Connect Conference
Calgary, Alberta
Sept. 6-7, 2018
As an avionics professional, you understand the true value of connecting with your industry peers, so join us at the AEA Canada Connect Conference at the Sheraton Cavalier Calgary Hotel. It's the premier avionics event that connects the avionics industry in Canada this year. Online registration is now available through Aug. 27, and hotel reservations must be made by Aug. 4.
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Australia's Southern Avionics Fills Market Need
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Jaco Botha started Southern Avionics in 2015 at West Sale Airport near the southeast Australian coast. Customers call on the small avionics shop when they need help with certifications, installations, component repairs and, especially, baffling squawks.
“We see it so often where customers take their aircraft to get it maintained cheaply, and then it comes to us,” said Botha, whose shop services Beechcraft, Piper and Cessna single- and twin-engine aircraft as well as GippsAero Airvans, and Bell 412, AgustaWestland AW139, and MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 helicopters. “Because we specialize, we know exactly what to look for. We’re able to find problems on the machines that were never picked up, problems that could potentially be critical to safety.
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Avionics Training and Professional Development
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Certified Repair Station Training
(in Las Vegas)
June 25-29, 2018
For the first time, this weeklong course will take place at an AEA member location in Las Vegas, Nevada. 702 Helicopters, a past participant in the AEA's CRS training, has graciously offered its facility to host a course for startup repair stations as well as mature operators looking to improve their understanding of the regulations, perform internal audits or edit their current repair stations manuals.
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Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation
Aug. 6-8, 2018
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.
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ADS-B 2.0 Configuration, Testing &Troubleshooting
(NEW)
Aug. 9, 2018
This updated version of the “ADS-B: All the Ins and Outs” course is designed for currently employed repair station personnel and installers of ADS-B systems. More than 10 percent of all ADS-B installations are non-compliant based on the FAA’s ADS-B Performance Monitoring System. This course focuses on the proper configuration and testing of ADS-B installations to ensure your installation meets the performance requirements and regulations. Also included are troubleshooting tips and tricks that will help you resolve the common problems found in ADS-B installations.
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IFR 6000 Operations Training Course
Aug. 10, 2018
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.
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Avionics Installation and Integration Training
Aug. 20-22, 2018
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 33ES remote transponder and an Aspen EFD1000 primary flight display.
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Pitot-Static and Transponder Certification Training with ADS-B Implementation Session
Aug. 23, 2018
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.
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RVSM Maintenance
Aug. 24, 2018
Attendees will be introduced to the regulations, documentation, test equipment and maintenance practices associated with performing RVSM maintenance. This course assumes the attendee has good operating knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations 91.411 and 91.413.
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News from AEA Member Companies
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DUNCAN AVIATION named
Kasey Harwick vice president of maintenance at its Battle Creek, Michigan, facility. This month, Duncan Aviation will welcome Honeywell Aerospace’s Falcon 7X to the W.K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, Michigan, for a demonstration of Honeywell’s JetWave hardware system, which allows customers who fly globally to connect to Inmarsat’s high-speed broadband service, Jet ConneX. Also, Duncan Aviation in Provo, Utah, announced that
Enrique Marquez has accepted the Gulfstream/Embraer Airframe Team Leader position.
John Spellmeyer was named regional avionics sales manager.
GARMIN received FAA supplemental type certification for the GFC 600 autopilot for the Baron 58/58A (1984 model year or later) and Cessna 340/340A aircraft. Garmin also announced the inReach Mini, a smaller and more compact satellite communicator with available two-way messaging and a 24/7 SOS function when combined with an inReach subscription to access the Iridium satellite network.
SMARTSKY NETWORKS announced that Ventura Air Services has committed to secure an STC from the FAA for the installation and operation of a SmartSky 4G LTE system on the Bombardier Learjet 55.
DAC INTERNATIONAL INC. announced that an STC has been issued for the GKN Aerospace-Fokker business EFB for iPad solution including DAC International’s Tablet Adapter Interface Unit for the Airbus A320 aircraft.
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FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL will offer a wide variety of unmanned systems training programs for commercial operators and is developing a wide range of standard and platform-specific courses for both seasoned operators and those who have no prior experience. FlightSafety also was named one of the best mid-size employers for 2018 by
Forbes.
WEST STAR AVIATION named
Jim Ranken chief executive officer.
Bob Rasberry was named chairman of the board, and
Rodger Renaud will remain president and chief operating officer.
THOMAS GLOBAL SYSTEMS announced that Boeing 757, 767 and 737 operators have a new option for sustaining their existing flight decks while simultaneously increasing reliability, reducing maintenance costs and providing for additional capability -- the TFD-7000 Series CRT-to-LCD Upgrade.
CLAY LACY AVIATION hosted 1,500 local high school students at the 13th annual Aviation Career Day, April 27, at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles.
ACI JET successfully completed its first FANS 1/A compliance package installation as an authorized dealer for Rockwell Collins. The package was installed on one of ACI Jet’s managed Challenger 604 aircraft, with a second aircraft nearing completion.
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CiES INC. fuel quantity senders are now approved for STC installation in Piper PA 46 Malibu, Mirage, Matrix; Cessna 190/195 Businessliner, 337 Sky Master, TTx/Columbia; Socata TB Series Trinidad, Tobago, Tampico; Rockwell Commander Series 112, 114; and Grumman American AA-5 Series Traveler, Cheetah, Tiger.
LATITUDE TECHNOLOGIES CORP. announced that Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. in Savannah, Georgia, has finalized STC certification of the Latitude DL150 Satellite Data Unit for Gulfstream G450 and G550 series aircraft. Supporting CPDLC/ADS-C/ACARS satellite data link services, the DL150 is a TSO-C159b approved communications link enabling FANS 1/A+.
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP., its community partners, program alumni and students recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Savannah-based Student Leadership Program as part of the initiative’s year-end event and graduation.
CMD FLIGHT SOLUTIONS received Brazilian ANAC approval on its Honeywell Primus II ADS-B Out AML STC. The company now has FAA, Mexico DGAC, EASA, Transport Canada and Brazilian ANAC certified ADS-B Out solutions that cover almost every business jet, personal aircraft and regional jet flying today with the Rockwell CollinsTDR-94/94D or the Honeywell Primus II Radio Suite.
GULF COAST AVIONICS completed its first Garmin G600 TXi glass touchscreen avionics upgrade on a Beechcraft King Air C90A.
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Looking for a Job in the Avionics Industry?
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For individuals interested in pursuing professional opportunities in the avionics industry, the career listings page on the AEA website is your one-stop resource. 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?
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Need to Post a Job? The AEA Works for You!
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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.
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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.
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Contact:
Aircraft Electronics Association
3570 NE Ralph Powell Road
Lee's Summit, MO 64064
Phone: 816-347-8400
Fax: 816-347-8405
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Advertising:
Lauren McFarland, director of advertising
Phone: 816-347-8400
The "AEA Wired" e-newsletter is published twice a month by the AEA.
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