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Keeping the general aviation industry connected
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Join more than 850 AEA members who have already streamed or downloaded these free regulatory webinars to help train their staff or continue their own professional development. Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, brings his vast years of experience and expertise to conduct a series of regulatory webinars essential to repair station and business operations.
In addition to providing relevant content, these courses include direct questions from the audience answered in real time. If you are looking to stay up-to-speed, AEA members may login with their member password to watch these sessions on your desktop or mobile device at
AEA.net/webinars.
- Root Cause Analysis
- Managing Risk
- Repair Station Contract Maintenance
- Human Factors in Maintenance
- Flight Data Recorders and the Mexican Mandate
- ASTM's Compass
- The Ins & Outs of Drug & Alcohol Program Management
- Classifying Alterations for In-service Aircraft
- AEA Safety Management System
- Part 145: How to Implement and manage a Repair Station Capability List
- Beyond ADS-B Installations: Continued Airworthiness
- FAA Drug & Alcohol Inspection Items: Be Prepared for Your Next Audit
- Part 43: The Business of Aircraft Maintenance
The next members-only webinar is slated for Tuesday, July 28, at 3 p.m. EDT and covers the topic of change management. Aviation organizations experience change due to expansion and contraction as well as changes to existing systems, equipment, policies, programs, services and regulations. Hazards may inadvertently be introduced into the aviation system whenever change occurs. This session will help the repair station develop an effective process to identify, evaluate, and manage change within the organization, which could lead to a quality or safety escape.
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Landing Avionics Business From Homebuilders
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For several years, registrations of newly finished experimental, amateur-built aircraft exceeded the number of new general aviation aircraft coming out of the industry’s factories. The builders tackled everything from simple low-and-slow recreational aircraft to high-flying, high-performance turboprop machines and a few jets ... yes, jets.
The skill level of these builders varied widely, in a field offering designs spanning the complete spectrum of airframe types: tube-and-rag, composite, and sheet metal. Each had at least one engine to install and a panel to spec.
It’s the challenges of electrical systems and avionics stacks that drive many of the questions posed by builders to their design’s builder-assist and peer-to-peer help websites. As one builder confided to an aviation writer, trying to fulfill his ambitions for a high-tech, all-glass IFR panel challenged him more than any other part of his project – a two-seat, all-aluminum design.
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Return to Service of Foreign-Registered Aircraft
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Question: Can you return to service an aircraft or component following maintenance?
Answer: Maybe: with a strong leaning toward no. “May you” is controlled by the state of registry of the aircraft. To return to service an aircraft or component of that aircraft, you must have maintenance and return to service authority granted by the state of registry of the aircraft. In other words, for a U.S.-registered aircraft, you must have Federal Aviation Administration maintenance and return to service authority; for an aircraft registered within the European Union, you must have European Union Aviation Safety Agency maintenance and RTS authority; and for Canadian aircraft, you need Canadian authority.
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FAA Issues New Guidance to Pilots on Flight Expense Sharing
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If you are a pilot, do you share flight expenses with your passengers in order to save money? Are you confident you’re splitting expenses in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations?
The FAA recently issued new guidance related to aircraft expense sharing, found in Advisory Circular 61-142, Sharing Aircraft Operating Expenses in Accordance with 14 CFR §61.113(c). The AC provides guidance to pilots wishing to share flight expenses with passengers and is another part of the FAA’s work to eliminate illegal charter operations.
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Pee Dee Avionics Earns Big Reputation with Owners of Experimentals, Legendary Aircraft
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Shannon Rivers loves working in the tight quarters behind an instrument panel and chasing electrical issues down long stretches of wiring, especially if it’s on a 1943 Corsair or a P-51 Mustang. As owner and founder of Pee Dee Avionics in Cheraw, South Carolina – near the Great Pee Dee River – it’s a passion he’s able to indulge in every day.
As one of the few avionics technicians experienced with warbirds and experimental aircraft, Rivers sees steady business from local enthusiasts who want to keep their unique aircraft flying.
“My passion is warbirds and experimentals,” said Rivers, an avionics technician, A&P mechanic with inspection authorization and private pilot with more than 20 years of experience in aviation. “There just aren’t a lot of people who work on these unique aircraft – warbirds in particular. I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from older folks who maintained some of these aircraft back in the early days.”
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Avionics Needs for Urban Air Mobility
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Currently, urban air mobility is all the rage. As an industry, we tend to bounce around every few months to a new “thing” that occupies all the press, chatter and investment. In the past, this has included: beyond visual line of sight; package delivery; detect and avoid; unmanned (or universal) traffic management; operations over people; and remote identification. All of these topics present significant challenges, and in no way am I indicating that they are not worthy of attention. Right now, it seems that UAM is climbing the hype cycle curve. (Literally as I write this, NASA has decided the new name is advanced air mobility to reflect that we’re talking about a broader set of use cases than urban commuting.)
Apart from a tremendous amount of investment and effort going into designing actual aircraft (more than 200 at last count), there also is a lot of thought being placed in the ecosystem and infrastructure that will support UAM/AAM in the future – from the way we plan buildings and even cities to the communications and navigation infrastructure required.
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Request Your FREE
AEA Pilot’s Guide
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The
AEA Pilot’s Guide is a consumer’s directory loaded with educational articles, timely information and data about the ever-changing world of avionics technologies. In addition to a complete directory of AEA-member government-certified repair stations, avionics manufacturers and distributors located in more than 40 countries, the publication features educational articles to help pilots and aircraft owners make better buying decisions. Individuals residing in the United States may request a free copy while supplies last.
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On the Radar: Upcoming Industry Events
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FAA UAS Symposium
Virtual Event
Aug. 18-19, 2020
Due to ongoing concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the health and safety of the unmanned aviation community, the FAA and AUVSI made the decision to host the 5th annual FAA UAS Symposium virtually instead of in-person in Baltimore. The event was originally scheduled for June 16-18. Episode I took place July 8-9 with a focus on UTM and international UAS integration. Episode II will take place August 18-19 with a focus on updates to the Integration Pilot Program and public safety operations.
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AEA U.S. East Connect Conference
Naples, Florida
Sept. 23-24, 2020
Join shop owners, managers and lead technicians for the latest regulatory and technical training at the Naples Grande Hotel. Advance registration is open through Sept. 18 for individuals to attend and for companies to exhibit.
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AUVSI XPONENTIAL
Dallas, Texas
Oct. 5-8, 2020 (rescheduled date and new location)
At the world’s largest event for unmanned and autonomous systems, explore today’s proven capabilities and tomorrow’s advancements through hands-on exhibits and interactive demos.
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AEA U.S. Central Connect Conference
Kansas City, Missouri
Oct. 19-20, 2020
Join shop owners, managers and lead technicians for the latest regulatory and technical training at the Hilton Kansas City Airport. Advance registration is open through Oct. 14 for individuals to attend and for companies to exhibit.
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AEA U.S. West Connect Conference
Irvine, California
Oct. 27-28, 2020
Join shop owners, managers and lead technicians for the latest regulatory and technical training at the Hilton Irvine Hotel. Advance registration is open through Oct. 22 for individuals to attend and for companies to exhibit.
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AEA Canada Connect Conference
Calgary, Alberta
Nov. 9-10, 2020
Join shop owners, managers and lead technicians for the latest regulatory and technical training at the Sheraton Cavalier Calgary Hotel. Advance registration is open through Nov. 4 for individuals to attend and for companies to exhibit.
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$100 Mystery Make and Model Challenge
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Congratulations to Russ Kromberg of Duncan Aviation, who won a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Southeast Aerospace, for being the first person to submit the correct answer in this month's Mystery Make and Model challenge featured in the previous issue of
AEA Wired. The unit is an RCA DI-3003.
Avionics technicians can put their "inside" knowledge to work in the next issue of
AEA Wired. Stay tuned for the next Mystery Make and Model challenge!
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Avionics Training and Professional Development Classes
Register quickly, as most classes sell out!
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Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation
(sold-out)
July 27-29, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
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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Basic Pitot-Static & Transponder Theory, Testing & Troubleshooting
(sold-out)
July 30-31, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
This course is designed for entry-level avionics technicians or those looking for basic training on pitot-static and aircraft transponder systems. This two-day course covers the history and theory of operation of pitot-static instruments and transponders, as well as system setup, hands-on testing, and the troubleshooting skills necessary to perform Federal Aviation Regulations 91.411 and 91.413 checks.
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Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft
(11 seats remain)
Aug. 5-7, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
This course is designed for the homebuilder or avionics technician who is looking for guidance in completing an avionics installation on an experimental aircraft. While the Garmin G3X Touch system is used as an example in the course, the wiring principles and general guidance can be applied to any experimental avionics system. From the do-it-yourselfer to the avionics shop looking to carve a niche, this class has something for everyone.
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Avionics Installation and Integration Training
(13 seats remain)
Aug. 12-14, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
This course is designed for technicians who have completed the AEA’s Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation Course and/or have a couple 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 touch screen nav/com/GPS, Garmin GTX 345 transponder and an Aspen EFD1000 primary flight display.
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Bench Basics and Flight Line Troubleshooting
(4 seats remain)
Aug. 17-19, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
This course is designed for technicians who have completed the AEA’s Basic Wiring course and/or have a couple of years of basic avionics installation practice, familiar with basic soldering skills and are looking for experience in LRU bench testing and avionics flight line testing. ADS-B transponder systems, nav/ILS and VHF comms will be the focus of study. Technicians will fabricate a general-purpose test panel, a bench test harness, and a transponder test harness that they will use in the course. Attendees will keep their fabricated test panel and harness projects.
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Pitot-Static and Transponder Testing and Inspection with ADS-B Implementation
(sold-out)
Aug. 20, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
Attendees will learn the proper methods for conducting pitot-static and transponder tests and inspections. 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.
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IFR6000 and IFR4000 Operations
(7 seats remain)
Aug. 21, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
This course is designed to provide maintenance personnel with the knowledge and skills required to operate the IFR6000 to verify and maintain transponder, UAT, TCAS, and DME system, and to operate the IFR4000 for ILS, VOR, COMMs and ELT.
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The Regulations of Maintenance
(15 seats remain)
Oct. 15-16, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
Understanding the regulations of the repair station is only part of the equation. Like pieces of a puzzle, each regulation is needed to fit together in order to fully view the repair station’s requirements. Understanding the regulatory relationship between the business (Part 145); the maintenance it performs (Part 43); the parts it uses (Part 21); as well as the needs of customers (Part 91) are essential to provide regulatory compliant services in aviation maintenance. This session will cover the basics of the maintenance and modification regulations, but more importantly, it focuses on their integrated relationship with the business.
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Certified Repair Station Training
(15 seats remain)
Dec. 7-11, 2020
Lee's Summit, Missouri
This weeklong course provides an interactive environment to learn, understand and implement the regulations that govern repair station design and operations. 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 should attend. This program will review the regulations applicable to a U.S.-certificated repair station engaged in maintenance, preventive maintenance and alterations of U.S.-registered aircraft, components or accessories.
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News from AEA Member Companies
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Garmin announced it continues to roll out autopilot aircraft approvals at an increasing rate for the GFC 500 and GFC 600 autopilots. Several aircraft such as the Bonanza B36TC, Cessna T210, Cessna 421C and Piper PA-46 are among the latest additions to a growing list of aircraft approvals. Garmin also announced the GI 275 electronic flight instrument can now be interfaced with the GFC 500 autopilot to deliver in-flight performance and added redundancy when multiple GI 275s are installed in an aircraft. Garmin also announced a comprehensive lineup of virtual AirVenture Oshkosh events. From July 20-25, Garmin will host a series of free educational webinars and product demonstrations, and feature unique opportunities that will bring the Garmin exhibit experience direct to its customers. Garmin also announced G500 TXi and G600 TXi flight display enhancements that bring more capability to cockpit upgrades. Cirrus SR20/SR22 aircraft equipped with either legacy Avidyne flight displays or original flight instruments can now upgrade to the G500 TXi to display engine information. Garmin also received EASA certification of the G3X Touch flight display for hundreds of single-engine certificated aircraft. Garmin also announced that new features and enhancements have been added to the Garmin Pilot application on Apple mobile devices.
Duncan Aviation’s service agreement with Securaplane was renewed earlier this year. Duncan Aviation's Engineering and Certification Department completed a full-equipment STC for installation of the Gogo Business Aviation AVANCE L5 in-flight Internet and Wi-Fi system in Cessna Citation 680 aircraft. Two of Duncan's FBO facilities—those in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Provo, Utah—earned the International Safety for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) Stage II accreditation. All of Duncan Aviation's FBO service locations, including Battle Creek, Michigan; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah, have earned the new National Air Transportation Association’s Safety 1st Clean Standard.
Elliott Aviation expanded its AOG capabilities to include Hawker, King Air, Citation, Embraer Phenom, and Embraer Legacy. The expansion is in response to the continued demand for services on these airframes. Elliott Aviation also announced an amendment to the STC to install the Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics electronic standby MD-302 to now include heading in Garmin G5000 and Honeywell-equipped Citation Excel and XLS aircraft. The STC utilizes the MD32 magnetometer to provide heading input to the MD-302 electronic standby instrument, which comes standard in Elliott Aviation’s Garmin G5000 installations for the Citation Excel and XLS.
Honeywell received a TSO from the FAA for its IntuVue RDR-7000 Weather Radar System. This both approves the design and authorizes Honeywell to produce radars for deliveries to customers. Honeywell is working to complete STCs for 15 different platforms to install the RDR-7000 on customer aircraft by the end of 2020.
SKYTRAC Systems Ltd. and South Korea-based startup Aero K Airlines Co. announced a partnership that will provide global mobile data coverage to Aero K's fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft for domestic and international flights. SKYTRAC also announced that OWG, a new airline based in Quebec set to focus on tropical destinations, will utilize SKYTRAC's satellite communications technologies to enable numerous capabilities on board its fleet of upgraded Boeing 737-400 aircraft.
Avidyne announced virtual Oshkosh events during EAA Spirit of Aviation Week, July 20-25. In addition to a series of product webinars, Avidyne is partnered with SocialFlightLive.com to host interviews with prominent aviation personalities.
Universal Avionics' immersive Mobile Demonstration Unit is now on the road. The company’s new demonstration platform brings its products directly to customers. Teaming with authorized dealers/integrators and FBOs across the United States, UA is hosting live, on-location demonstrations of its most-innovative avionics solutions in a comfortable, private, and socially distanced setting.
DC Aviation’s maintenance team at Stuttgart Airport successfully completed a 48-month check on a Challenger 605. The comprehensive maintenance work included a full cabin refurbishment using the latest materials and painting work. In addition, an extended upgrade of the Pro Line 21 avionics system was implemented. This includes the installation of ADS-B.
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Banyan Air Service welcomed Atlantic Jet Refinishing to the Banyan complex at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The recently built EPA-compliant downdraft paint facility utilizes the latest in equipment and technology as well as dual-bay features.
Wysong Enterprises has worked on more than 20 aircraft during the COVID-19 pandemic in the last 12 weeks to keep essential law enforcement and air medical aircraft in operation. The work performed on aircraft included large-scale overhauls, completions, routine maintenance and repairs, and inspections.
Premier Aircraft Service’s Fort Lauderdale site was appointed as a service center facility for maintenance and repair work on Cessna and Beechcraft piston aircraft. Premier Aircraft Sales was selected as the exclusive Diamond Aircraft dealer for territories in the Northeast, Southeast and Central U.S.
Pentastar Aviation announced the launch of its newly redesigned website that offers access to information on the company’s aviation products and services. The website has comprehensive sections on its private jet charter, aircraft management, advisory services, aircraft maintenance, aircraft avionics, aircraft interiors, fixed base operations (including private jet catering), company news and private aircraft safety protocols.
Astronics Corp. announced contract awards received from Bell Textron Inc. for Astronics to advance its CorePower airframe electrical generation and power distribution systems to support their Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft programs. These programs are part of the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift initiative to improve vertical lift dominance with next-generation capabilities.
L3Harris Technologies completed the delivery of its 5,000th WESCAM MX-Series imaging system since launching the product line in 1997. The milestone was recently celebrated when a WESCAM MX-20 turret was delivered to the U.S. Navy for deployment on its P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. L3Harris Technologies also was awarded a $380 million IDIQ contract for WESCAM MX-Series Products and Support in support of global U.S. Army surveillance and targeting operations. This contract enables continued upgrades and support for the U.S. Army’s robust installed base of fixed-wing, aerostat and unmanned platforms while supporting expanding foreign military sales requirements.
Western Aircraft, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, is undertaking its second major expansion in six years. The new 93,000-square-foot addition on Western’s existing 18-acre leasehold will more than double its existing MRO operating space. The expansion includes a 53,000-square-foot hangar and 40,000 square feet of back shop/office space.
Flying Colours Corp. signed a distributor agreement with Savannah, Georgia-based Aviation Clean Air, to act as an installation facility for ACA Needle Point Bi-Polar Ionization Components within the North American region. Flying Colours Corp. also continues to satisfy market demand for 192-month inspections as heavy maintenance checks on a trio of Bombardier Challenger-family aircraft continue at its St. Louis, Missouri. facility.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced promotions within its sales organization. Wayne Oedewaldt has been promoted to regional senior vice president of international sales for Asia-Pacific. Kirsten Krueger has been promoted to regional vice president of sales for California’s central coast, Oedewaldt’s former territory. Gulfstream also appointed Josh Thompson of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems as the aerospace company’s chief financial officer effective Aug. 3.
ATP Flight School accepted delivery of six new Piper Archer TXs and renewed a 100-aircraft order with Piper Aircraft. ATP operates the largest fleet of 402 flight training aircraft, the majority of which are Pipers.
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AEA Opens the Door to Your Future: AEA.net/Jobs
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For individuals interested in pursuing professional opportunities in the avionics industry, the job listings page on the AEA website is your one-stop resource. The AEA jobs board 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 job 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? The AEA jobs board makes it easier for AEA members to find their next avionics technician, quality manager, inspector, sales representative or engineer.
AEA members may submit a free job posting after entering their username and password at
AEA.net/Jobs. Member companies that optionally choose to upgrade their job posting for a premium will have preferred online placement and also will be published in the next edition of
Avionics News. For more information about premium job listings, contact Rachel Hill, AEA advertising executive, at
rachelh@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:
Rachel Hill, AEA director of advertising
Phone: 816-366-5109
The "AEA Wired" e-newsletter is published twice a month by the AEA.
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