AEA Wired by Aircraft Electronics Association
July 19, 2017
Keeping the general aviation industry connected
The Current 
News from the general aviation industry
 

Join the AEA and FAA for a Twitter Chat today from 2-3 p.m. EDT
Are you ready for ADS-B? Will you need it to operate in airspace near you? Need help sorting through the many options and features that are available on ADS-B equipment? Not sure how to apply for the FAA ADS-B rebate program? 

The FAA's Equip 2020 Team can help. This joint government/industry group -- designed to encourage and help aircraft owners equip with ADS-B Out before the Jan. 1, 2020, deadline -- is hosting a live Twitter #ADSBchat to directly answer and address your general aviation questions and concerns. 

The FAA #ADSBchat will take place Wednesday, July 19, 2017, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. In addition to several FAA experts, representatives from the Aircraft Electronics Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and Experimental Aircraft Association will co-host the live question and answer session. Please make sure to include #ADSBchat in all of your tweets. 
 
To view and/or participate in the Twitter chat, simply click here and watch all of the latest tweets appear. Keep in mind that you will need to have a Twitter account to post questions during the event. Click the sign-up button on Twitter to create an account. More...


AEA and more than 100 GA Groups say 'No' to ATC Privatization
During a short two-week time frame in early July, the list of general aviation groups united in opposition to H.R. 2997, which includes the Aircraft Electronics Association, has grown from 36 to 117 organizations. The proposed bill in the U.S. House of Representatives seeks to privatize the nation's air traffic control system. 

Both the House and Senate are expected to vote on their respective bills, possibly within a matter of days, as the FAA's current funding expires in September. The AEA is opposed to H.R. 2997 and encourages its members to share views and comments with elected officials today. A toll-free action line -- 855-265-9002 -- has been established to connect the GA community with elected officials. Please take time to make your voice heard on Capitol Hill. More...


AEA to Award $1,000 Toward an ADS-B Out Installation to Five Aircraft Owners at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
To help incentivize owners of general aviation aircraft to meet the Federal Aviation Administration's ADS-B Out equipage mandate in the United States, the Aircraft Electronics Association will randomly award five aircraft owners with $1,000 toward an ADS-B compliant upgrade during the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture Oshkosh, July 24-30, in Wisconsin. 
Aircraft owners may enter to win one of the five $1,000 awards in Hangar B at Wittman Regional Airport, booth No. 2035/2036, beginning July 24. The AEA will announce one winner each day from July 24 through July 28 via its social media outlets on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and from its AirVenture booth in Oshkosh. 

Aircraft owners must be at least 18 years old to register to win. 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, 2018. One entry gives aircraft owners a chance to win each of the five daily drawings.   More...


AEA's 2017-18 Pilot's Guide to Avionics to be Unveiled at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Published annually by the Aircraft Electronics Association, the 2017-18 edition of the  Pilot's Guide to Avionics  will be unveiled with free distribution at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, July 24-30. AEA staff members will distribute thousands of complimentary copies to pilots and aircraft owners at the AEA's AirVenture booth, No. 2035/2036 in Hangar B at Wittman Regional Airport. 

This year marks the 15th annual edition of the  Pilot's Guide to Avionics, a consumer's directory loaded with educational articles, timely information and data about the wonderful world of avionics technologies. The publication helps pilots and aircraft owners make better buying decisions and locate nearly 1,300 AEA member companies in more than 40 countries

Individuals residing in the United States may request a free copy of the AEA's  Pilot's Guide to Avionics  online while supplies last. More...

Regulatory Update
All the latest from the international aviation authorities


The AEA Technology Incubator: Demystifying the FAA for Entrepreneurs
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? 

For years, the AEA has helped startup manufacturers navigate the complex world of aviation regulations through on-demand, one-off requests. As these requests have grown in frequency, the AEA has strategically developed a structured forum to offer greater assistance to these startup companies. To achieve the goals of the AEA Technology Incubator, the association has organized a one-day event scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 16, at its international headquarters in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

The AEA is restricting attendance to startups. To attend this forum, the manufacturer must not hold an FAA production approval; however, it may hold a NORSEE approval. This is a forum for startup companies or new entrants into the certified aircraft industry. This is not a forum for established manufacturers; that is the quarterly manufacturer's forum. 

Due to space limitations, attending companies are limited to two participants.
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. The best and most successful way to demystify anything in aviation is to open the path for communication. The AEA Technology Incubator will include presentations and discussions focused on understanding the FAA regulatory structure, as well as the Part 23 and production regulations, guidance and policies. In addition, the AEA Technology Incubator will offer ample opportunity to interact with the association staff, FAA personnel and other attendees. 

Learn more about the AEA Technology Incubator in this month's Avionics News

To submit an application to attend this event on Aug. 16, click here

On the Radar
Upcoming AEA and industry events


EAA AirVenture: Oshkosh, Wisconsin
July 24-30, 2017
For seven days from sunrise to well past sunset, Oshkosh is filled with dazzling displays of aerobatics, informative programs and hands-on workshops, diverse aircraft spanning all eras of flight, concerts and more. More...


Register Now Button AEA U.S. West Connect Conference: 
Reno, Nevada
Sept. 6-7, 2017
The Grand Sierra Resort plays host to this two-day event. Attendees must register in advance by Aug. 30, and hotel reservations should be made prior to Aug. 7. The AEA Connect Conferences offer a forum to see, hear and learn about all the new technology on the market, network with industry peers and discover best practices for the aviation repair station industry. More...


Register Now Button AEA U.S. East Connect Conference:
Jacksonville, Florida
Sept. 18-19, 2017
Attendees must register in advance by Sept. 11, and hotel reservations should be made at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverside no later than Aug. 26. More...

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


Aviation Ace: Mike Ménard of Elliott Aviation
After graduation from college, Mike Ménard worked six years as an aircraft maintenance officer in the Canadian Air Force. His first operational posting was with the 412 VIP Transport Squadron in Ottawa. "Back then, we were working on Challenger 600s and 601s along with Cosmopolitans, which were the military version of Convair 580s," he said. "That tells you how long ago that was." 

His next Air Force posting was at the National Defense Headquarters as an aircraft engineering officer. Here, he held the technical engineering and program management responsibility for the CT-114 Tutor training aircraft fleet. 

Learn more about this Aviation Ace in this month's Avionics News. More...

In the Classroom 
Professional development opportunities


Register Now Button Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation:
Aug. 7-9, 2017
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. More...


Register Now Button ADS-B Broadcast Surveillance: All the Ins and Outs
Aug. 10, 2017
This 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 IFR 6000 Operations Training:
Aug. 11, 2017
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. More...


Register Now Button Avionics Installation and Integration Training:
Aug. 21-23, 2017
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 33 ES remote transponder and an Aspen EFD1000 primary flight display. More... 


Register Now Button Pitot-static and Transponder Certification Training with ADS-B Implementation Session:
Aug. 24, 2017
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. More...
 

Register Now Button RVSM Maintenance and Advanced Transponder Training:
Aug. 25, 2017
Attendees will be introduced to the regulations, documentation, test equipment and maintenance practices associated with performing RVSM maintenance and will follow with an in-depth look at Mode S transponders. This course assumes the attendee has good operating knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations 91.411 and 91.413. More... 

Avionics Careers
Job postings, career resources and scholarships


Looking for a Job in the Avionics Industry? 
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...


Need to Post a Job? The AEA Works for You!
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
 
The Static
News from AEA member companies


GARMIN  introduced the GFC 600 and GFC 500, solid state attitude-based autopilots for fixed-wing general aviation aircraft. The GFC 600 autopilot is intended for high-performance piston single/twin-engine and turbine aircraft that have a wide range of aircraft speed and performance characteristics, while the GFC 500 is intended for less-complex piston single-engine aircraft, according to the company. Garmin unveiled the GDL 82 ADS-B datalink, a small, lightweight Universal Access Transceiver with built-in GPS that integrates with the aircraft's existing transponder and transponder antenna. The company also announced the GDL 52/51, a series of portable receivers that are capable of receiving ADS-B traffic and weather, as well as SiriusXM Aviation weather and audio for display and control on select portables and mobile devices. Garmin also announced that the G5 electronic flight instrument will soon be compatible with a wide range of third-party autopilots available on the market. 

ASPEN AVIONICS appointed JAMES BUCK to regional sales manager. He is a retired Marine Corps aviator and also serves as Aspen's director of flight operations. 

AVMAX leased its third Dash 8-103 msn 537 to Fly Viking AS, Norway. The aircraft was formerly operated by Amakusa Airlines, Japan. 

PRO STAR AVIATION, located at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire, began construction of a new 45,000-square-foot hangar and office facility, which will provide hangar, office and shop space all under one roof, unlike the current facilities being occupied. With an anticipated completion date in the first half of 2018, Pro Star's new facility will be located on the east ramp of the airport adjacent to its machining entity; Pro Star Precision Machining. 

GUARDIAN AVIONICS of Tucson, Arizona, unveiled its new smartPlane system and line of products and applications -- an FAA-approved iPad-based multifunction display and flight data recorder system with voice command capability. 

TRIG AVIONICS announced the latest addition to its radio range: the TY96A and TY97A. The radios are a slimline 760 channel VHF radios with 25kHz spacing. They are packed with the same features as the TY96 and TY97 and are ideal for pilots flying outside 8.33kHz mandated airspace. 

uAVIONIX and ForeFlight announced  the availability of Scout , a portable, dual-band ADS-B receiver that delivers in-flight weather and traffic information to the ForeFlight Mobile app in the smallest form-factor on the market. 

DUNCAN AVIATION introduced NICK HANSEN as the new safety specialist at its Lincoln, Nebraska, facility. The company also announce that its satellite avionics shop in Kansas City, Missouri, has upgraded the Rockwell Collins TDR-94Ds on a Gulfstream 150, bringing the aircraft into compliance with the FAA's mandate for ADS-B Out. 

JEPPESEN agreed to a service contract with Wataniya Airways. Jeppesen will provide multiple services to assist the airline with several operations. Wataniya Airways will receive paper charts for navigation and International Trip Planning services from Jeppesen in the near term. 

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. delivered its 550th Gulfstream G550. 
 
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 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. 


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

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