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Nov. 12, 2014
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Keeping the general aviation industry connected
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 The Current
News from the general aviation industry
 Part 23 Aircraft Retrofit Forum at AEA Headquarters, December 18
The Aircraft Electronics Association plays host to a Part 23 Aircraft Retrofit Forum, Dec. 18, at its international headquarters in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Join officials from the FAA Headquarters Maintenance Branch as well as the FAA Small Airplane Directorate.
The aviation industry struggles with retrofitting the current fleet of Part 23 and legacy CAR 3 aircraft. While the FAA has developed and published many documents for the installation of avionics and other systems such as Advisory Circular 43.13, the FAA does not adequately address the removal and replacement of currently installed systems. This one-day forum will begin the process of developing guidance regarding the retrofit of the current general aviation fleet, including updated guidance on the evaluation of alterations (determination of major/minor).
Who Should Attend? This first look at the retrofit market and the regulations, guidance and policies affecting retrofit will primarily focus on light general aviation aircraft, and as such, this meeting is ideally suited for:
- Repair stations specializing in Part 23 installations.
- Avionics manufacturers that produce avionics for the Part 23 market.
Only 60 seats are available for this complimentary forum -- Register now! More...
 AEA Convention & Trade Show Offers Early-Bird Registration Through January 5
Registration has opened for the 58th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, the premier event for the general aviation avionics industry and the only wholesale avionics show representing nearly 90 percent of the international government-certified avionics shops. Early-bird registration is now open through Jan. 5. This year's AEA Convention takes place April 8-11, 2015, at Marriott's Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. Early-bird price for AEA members is $575; the fee increases to $635 for advance registrations between Jan. 6 and March 18; the on-site registration price is $725. Register today and save! More... |
 Regulatory Update
All the latest from the international aviation authorities
Service Difficulty Reports
"It was not the FAA's intent to require repair stations to report all failures, malfunctions and defects."
The Federal Aviation Administration published a correction to the repair station final rule that was published Aug. 12, 2014. In that rule, the FAA removed the word "serious" from section 145.221 in what the agency perceived to be a previous oversight. After publication, and based on information in a petition for rulemaking submitted by an industry coalition of the Aircraft Electronics Association, the Aeronautical Repair Station Association, the Aerospace Industries Association, Airlines for America, the Cargo Airline Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the National Air Carrier Association, and the National Air Transportation Association, the FAA realized the word should be retained.
As a result of this action, the FAA has added the word "serious" back into the regulations before the phrase "failure, malfunction or defect of an article" in section 145.221, paragraph (a). The final rule, with this change, takes effect Nov. 10, 2014. More...
2015 International Rotorcraft Safety Conference
The FAA's Rotorcraft Directorate will play host to the 2015 International Rotorcraft Safety Conference, April 21-23, 2015, in Hurst, Texas. The free event will be geared toward pilots, mechanics, flight safety officers and others associated with personal/private, instructional/training and aerial application rotorcraft. The event will include programs, lectures and training. More...
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 On the Radar
Upcoming AEA and industry events
AEA Announces Future Convention Dates and Locations
The annual Aircraft Electronics Association International Convention & Trade Show announced its future dates and host cities for the next five years. They are as follows:
- April 8-11, 2015: Dallas, Texas
- April 27-30, 2016: Orlando, Florida
- March 13-16, 2017: New Orleans, Louisiana
- March 26-29, 2018: Las Vegas, Nevada
- March 25-28, 2019: Palm Springs, California
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 The Connection
Meet the leaders in the general aviation industry
 Aeronautical Instrumentation is Thriving in South African Avionics Market
Located in South Africa, Aeronautical Instrumentation is an authorized dealer for most major avionics manufacturers. It maintains a large in-house inventory of components and spares, and services virtually every type of general aviation and business aircraft, large and small. Learn more about this AEA member company in this month's Avionics News. More...
A Conversation With Brad Thurow of Appareo Systems
Get to know Brad Thurow, a solutions engineer with Appareo Systems in Fargo, North Dakota. He is featured in this month's "Conversation With" piece in an interview by Patricia Luebke for Avionics News. More...
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 In the Classroom
Professional development opportunities
 Certified Repair Station Training Course, Dec. 8-12, at AEA Headquarters
The AEA plays host to a Certified Repair Station Training Course, Dec. 8-12, at the Dan Derby Center for Professional Development in Lee's Summit, Missouri. This week-long course is divided into training modules designed for the startup repair station, as well as mature operators looking to improve their understanding of the regulations, perform internal audits and write repair station manuals. Presented by Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, this course is appropriate for quality managers, technicians, mechanics and repairmen who are involved in the management of a repair station, as well as individuals looking to establish a Part 145 repair station. More...
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 The Raw Feed
Industry buzz on social media
 New Avionics Products: FreeFlight Systems
Earlier this year, 23 companies introduced new avionics products and services for general aviation at the AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee. For example, FreeFlight Systems unveiled its new RANGR FDL-978-XVR transceiver, which provides full ADS-B Out compliance alongside existing Mode A/C or Mode S transponders. Watch the presentation made by Pete Ring, courtesy of the Aero-News Network. More...
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 The Static
News from AEA member companies
UNIVERSAL AVIONICS SYSTEMS CORP. unveiled the InSight Integrated Flight Deck, which is embedded with next generation synthetic vision system with advanced mapping capability and intuitive system-wide Graphical Pilot Interface.
PROFESSIONAL AVIATION ASSOCIATES, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, named JOHN LLOYD senior director of product line and customer service. In addition, the company played host to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new 46,000-square-foot distribution facility, which is close to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. TRUENORTH AVIONICS introduced its next generation product family, Optelity, featuring the Optelity Valet Handheld. FLIGHT DISPLAY SYSTEMS introduced Jetstreamer, an entry-level entertainment platform that streams movies, music and other content to carry-on devices such as tablets, laptops and smartphones. The company also announced several upgrades to its JetJukebox, including the ability to interface with the Smart Cabin CMS to control cabin functions such as lights, video and audio. The company also announced it has been acquired by Harbert Private Equity Fund III, and REED MACDONALD was appointed chief executive officer. GARMIN announced strategic partnerships with select members of its authorized dealer network to provide a stand-alone ADS-B solution for popular business and transport aircraft. According to Garmin, the GTX 3000 Mode S Extended Squitter transponder, GDL 88 datalink and Flight Stream wireless gateway combine to meet ADS-B Out requirements while adding the capability to receive ADS-B In on a mobile device. STANDARDAERO added two new mobile service teams to deliver remote maintenance services. The company now supports 16 teams located at airports across the U.S. WEST STAR AVIATION launched its newest avionics program for the installation of the Honeywell Primus Epic CDS/R full-color liquid crystal cockpit display system on the Challenger 601. West Star will begin taking installation orders in the second quarter of 2015. JET AVIATION ST. LOUIS was chosen by ROCKWELL COLLINS to develop the supplemental type certificate for installation of its Future Airspace Navigation System for the Bombardier Challenger 604. In addition, Jet Aviation St. Louis became the first in the industry to replace Rockwell Collins' Cabin Electronics Systems with its Venue system in a Global XRS. CONSTANT AVIATION completed its 11th custom Beechjet interior this year. In addition, the company said that all locations of its nationwide network are Garmin authorized dealers. Finally, the company said it has installed the Honeywell Cabin Management System, Ovation Select, in a Global Express. SPIRIT AERONAUTICS has nearly tripled its workforce since 2013 and plans to offer additional services and facilities in the next 10 years. LATITUDE TECHNOLOGIES received FAA STC ST07675NY, validating installation of all versions of Latitude's SkyNode S200 flight-tracking and Satcom voice and data transceiver, as well as Latitude's IONode ION100 FDM on Bombardier Dash 8 series, including Q100s, Q200s, Q300s and Q400s. L-3 AVIATION PRODUCTS said that Indonesian airliner Lion Air selected the FA2100 Cockpit Voice Recorder/Flight Data Recorder and the T3CAS Integrated Surveillance System for 234 Airbus A320 aircraft. DUNCAN AVIATION received FAA supplemental type certification for the installation of a Future Air Navigation System 1/A+ solution for a Falcon 900B with UNIVERSAL AVIONICS EFI-890R Advanced Flight Displays. In addition, Duncan Aviation was named a Bronze Level Veteran Friendly Employer by Michigan's Veterans Affairs Agency. One in four Duncan Aviation employees is a military veteran. VECTOR AEROSPACE renewed its engine services agreement with Gander Aerospace Manufacturing/Evas Air based in Grander, Newfoundland, Canada. The company also renewed its network services agreement with Turboprop East Inc. based in North Adams, Massachusetts. Vector Aerospace also signed an engine services agreement with Aerway Leasing of Waterford, Wisconsin. ELBIT SYSTEMS OF AMERICA said its new Kollsman Enhanced Vision System-Superior Performance was selected by GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE for the new G500 and G600 aircraft. The company also introduced the ClearVision next-generation Enhanced Flight Vision System. FLYING COLOURS CORP. signed a multimillion dollar joint venture agreement with Sparkle Roll Technik Co. ASPEN AVIONICS was selected by UNIVERSAL AVIONICS to provide its Connected Panel wireless gateway system for Universal's InSight Connected Integrated Flight Deck. GENESYS AEROSYSTEMS said that Airbus Defence & Space selected the S-TEC 5000 digital autopilot for installation in the NC212i light transport aircraft. ESTERLINE CMC ELECTRONICS introduced a new retrofit product for older business jets. The CMA-6800 LCD display is a form, fit and functional replacement for legacy CRT units. COBHAM SATCOM supplied its 1,000th AVIATOR HGA-6000 and 2,000th HGA-7001 High Gain Antennas. BARFIELD said it has invented line testing with an ordinary tablet. The company's new technology transforms any Android tablet into a wireless remote control for the DPS1000 -- the Ground Support Test Equipment used for testing aircraft pitot-static/air data systems. ASTRONICS CORP. said that Astronics AeroSat, its wholly-owned subsidiary, has launched FliteStream T-Series, a satellite broadband solution incorporating a new tail-mounted antenna design. FliteStream T-Series is the industry's first dedicated, global connectivity solution for the business aviation fleet. SATCOM DIRECT was named an authorized reseller for Astronics AeroSat FliteStream service. Satcom Direct also launched a new corporate app with an overview of the company's business aviation products and services. FARGO JET CENTER completed installations of Spectrum Aeromed equipment for AeroAmbulancia/Helidosa. ROCKWELL COLLINS introduced a new fuel planning service to help business operators determine the optimal amount of fuel to carry on board for multileg journeys, an industry practice known as "tankering." The company also launched a new weight and balance/performance feature in the ARINCDirect iPad app. In addition, Rockwell Collins expanded its Airshow 3D Moving Map and Venue CabinRemote mobile solutions to Google Play apps. HONEYWELL AEROSPACE teamed with Deer Jet to offer in-country access to maintenance service for Honeywell's auxiliary power units for more than 200 aircraft in China. NEXTANT AEROSPACE received supplemental type certificate validation from the Civil Aviation Administration of China., which satisfies the Nextant 400XTi with all CAAC airworthiness requirements. In addition, the company appointed STAECO Business Jet Maintenance as its first authorized service center in the Greater China region.
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 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.
The congressional caucuses recently lost a few members due to retirement or election defeat in November, and new caucuses will be formed when the next session begins in January 2015. More...
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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: [email protected]
Web: aea.net | Advertising:
Lauren McFarland, director of marketing
Phone: 816-347-8400
Email: [email protected]
The "AEA Wired" e-newsletter is published twice a month by the AEA. |
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