The Aircraft Electronics Association and 32 other aviation industry organizations sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders today, urging the Senate to "move expeditiously to consider legislation for a long-term reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration."

The last time Congress enacted a multi-year authorization bill for the FAA was 2012, and the agency has been working under a series of short-term extensions since September 2015.

In part, the letter stated, "The aerospace industry needs dependable authority from the FAA and policymakers to continue to provide the highest level of service for aviation customers and meet the needs of the aviation industry and workforce." To read the industry letter sent to Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), click here.

The AEA released its second-quarter 2018 Avionics Market Report. In the first six months of the year, total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales amounted to more than $1.3 billion as reported by the participating companies. The figure represented a 15.5 percent increase in year-over-year sales compared to the first six months of 2017.

Sales during the second-quarter months of April, May and June in 2018 were 17.8 percent more than the 2017 second-quarter sales. Year-to-date, both the retrofit and forward-fit markets have seen double-digit increases in sales compared to the first six months of 2017, with the retrofit market up an impressive 18.1 percent. More...

To help incentivize owners of general aviation aircraft meet the FAA's ADS-B Out equipage mandate in the United States, the AEA randomly awarded five aircraft owners with $1,000 toward an ADS-B compliant upgrade during the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture Oshkosh, July 23-29, in Wisconsin.

Hundreds of aircraft owners registered to win during the week at the AEA’s AirVenture booth in Hangar B at Wittman Regional Airport. Each of the five winners must use an AEA-member avionics repair station to complete the installation, and the installation must be scheduled by Aug. 1, 2019. The five winners were as follows:

AEA members can take the association's latest online training course on change management by using their member login on the AEA's website. Change management is the term used to describe the process a business goes through as it manages the inevitable changes within its organization. This training helps establish a process for the identification of hazards and developing a mitigation strategy that can be applied to any changes concerning the safety of services provided by an organization. More...

What is the proper way to sign off a 14 CFR 91.411 and a 91.413 check? Learn the answer in this month's Avionics News. More...

The AEA recently published its quarterly newsletter for member companies in the Latin America region. Published in Spanish and designed exclusively for avionics professionals in Latin America, click here to read the second-quarter 2018 edition.

Not far from Fort Rucker in the small town of Ozark, Alabama Aviation College is training the next generation of aviation technicians as it has for nearly 60 years. However, these electronics are far more complicated and sophisticated than their analog ancestors. In the lab, students Jarrod Pippins, Corwin Thomas and Charles Burdock practice installing a Garmin GTN 750 GPS/nav/comm multifunction display utilizing an install buddy similar to those used in AEA training. 

“At the Alabama Aviation College, we are always looking for ways to better prepare students for what they may encounter in the aviation field,” said instructor Jeff Mullins, an A&P mechanic and designated mechanic examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration. Mullins has 35 years of experience in aviation, including serving 13 years as an instructor for the school. More...

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.

Pitot-Static and Transponder Training Theory & Practice

Sept. 20-21, 2018

For the entry-level technician or those looking for basic training to learn how to perform pitot-static and transponder certifications. This course is recommended as a prerequisite to AEA’s Pitot-Static and Transponder Certification course. This two-day course provides the attendee with the history, theory of operation, system setup, hands-on testing and troubleshooting skills necessary to perform FAR 91.411 and 91.413 checks. The latest equipment from DFW Instruments and Laversab will be used in the course.

Basic Aircraft Electrical

Oct. 22-23, 2018

This course is designed for the avionics technician, aircraft maintenance technician or homebuilder who wants to improve their understanding of aircraft electrical systems and electricity. It will provide an overview of the fundamentals of electricity and their practical application in aircraft. From currents and calculations to schematics and systems troubleshooting, this two-day course is the perfect primer for an entry-level technician or the skilled homebuilder ready to tackle avionics installation.

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft

Oct. 24-26, 2018

This course is designed for the aircraft technician or homebuilder who is looking for guidance in completing an installation on an experimental aircraft with the popular Garmin G3X Touch large format flight display system. From the do-it-yourselfer to the avionics shop looking to carve a niche in this ever-expanding market, this class has something for everyone.

Certified Repair Station Training

Dec. 3-7, 2018

This weeklong course provides an interactive environment to learn, understand and implement the regulations that govern repair station design and operations. It is for current quality managers, technicians, mechanics, and repairmen who are involved in the management of a repair station, as well as individuals looking to establish a 14 CFR Part 145 repair station.

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? More... 

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 [email protected]. 

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.