On Tuesday, Oct. 24, the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Mike Whitaker 98-0 as the next permanent FAA administrator. The agency now has a Senate-confirmed leader for the first time since March 2022. Whitaker, who previously served as deputy FAA administrator from 2013 to 2016, will serve a five-year term.

In his opening statement during his confirmation hearing to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Whitaker stated, "The key experience that qualifies me for this position, and that will allow me to make an immediate impact at the FAA, is my three-year tenure there as deputy administrator. During this time, I gained significant technical knowledge of the complex systems that make up our national airspace, such as ADS-B. While at the FAA, I also earned my private pilot’s certificate to better understand the national airspace from the perspective of a user of that system. If confirmed, my priority will be the safety of the flying public. They have put their trust in the FAA to keep aviation the safest way to travel, and the world has looked to us for decades as the gold standard." More...

The third and final AEA Regional in the United States this year takes place at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, Oct. 26-27. These two-day events are where technicians and business owners learn industry best practices; connect with regional sales and product support representatives; satisfy training requirements; see the latest products and services in the exhibit hall; and receive important updates on the most current regulatory news affecting their business.

To register, make hotel reservations, and see the training schedule and list of exhibitors for the West Regional, click here.

The AEA recently named Kevin Bruce as its director of engineering and certification. Bruce has served as the association’s Canadian region regulatory consultant since 2013 and as the director of airworthiness and quality for Diamond Aircraft since 2006.

A former regional manager for Aircraft Certification at Transport Canada, he brings extensive regulatory knowledge and engineering experience to this new role in the association. With the growth of the aircraft electronics industry and the introduction of technologically advanced aircraft, he will help support the AEA’s expanding government and industry affairs efforts. More...

Digital flight may be coming to the airspace near you as National Aeronautics and Space Administration researchers foresee a way for new entrants to self-separate while mixing with traffic flying under instrument flight rules and visual flight rules. The aviation industry is examining the possibility of adding digital flight to share airspace with IFR and VFR traffic. If the Federal Aviation Administration signs on, this could result in a third routine operating mode available to all qualified operators for use eventually throughout the airspace.

The latest of several NASA papers on the subject, “Digital Flight: A New Cooperative Operating Mode to Complement VFR and IFR,” envisions it coexisting with conventional air traffic. Aircraft flying under IFR and VFR might also benefit from some of the novel communications, navigation and surveillance technologies and automation-enabled capabilities now coming quickly to the fore. More...

Thanks to Sporty's, the value of AEA membership continues to grow, as members can now take 50% off the purchase of the following Sporty’s pilot training courses:

This exclusive AEA member offer will help you ace your FAA written test, save money during flight training, become a better technician and a better pilot with Sporty’s pilot training courses. Each course has hours of 4K videos and animations to explain everything you need to know to earn your private pilot certificate and feel confident in the left seat. Combine that with powerful test prep tools, a comprehensive document library, and convenient app options, and you have aviation’s most complete training course. More...

Peregrine, a Denver-based aircraft certification service provider with over 14 years of supplemental type certificate development experience and an AEA member company since 2009, recently received its Organization Designation Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration. This designation allows Peregrine to develop and approve many types of STCs for Part 23, Part 25, Part 27 and Part 29 aircraft on behalf of the FAA.

David Rankin, Peregrine founder and ODA administrator, explains how this delegation allows the company to process engineering approvals on a streamlined, expedited basis and mitigate the effects of the FAA’s heavy workload and long lead times in this episode of AEA Amplified. Listen Now...

Registration has opened for the 67th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, the largest gathering of aviation electronics manufacturers, distributors and approved maintenance organizations in the world. It is the platform of choice for the introduction of new avionics products and services coming to market in 2024. The event will take place March 19-22, 2024, at Marriott's Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.

Attendees must register by Dec. 31, 2023, to receive the early-bird discount price of $695 (AEA member rate) for a full convention registration. The early-bird promotion offers a $230 per person savings off the on-site registration fee. The attendee full registration package includes: four days of technical training sessions; exhibit hall entrance for two full days with lunch; and networking with manufacturers and distributors. Register for the biggest training week of the year in the avionics industry. More...

AEA members should plan to attend an exclusive members-only webinar for an informative and educational session in which we will review the MOSAIC NPRM that proposes to amend nine separate, and not always related, regulations. This two-hour session will provide an overview of the FAA’s proposal and a thorough discussion on elements affecting the avionics industry. Sign up to participate with your AEA member login and password. Register Now...

The AEA recently announced a new membership health insurance benefit for members in the United States that can help keep you, your family, and even your business cost-effectively covered and healthy. The association has partnered with LIG Solutions to be able to offer exclusive health insurance and related coverage options, including major medical, short-term health plans, vision and dental plans, critical care coverage, life, and several different supplemental health options.

If you are a business owner looking for coverage options for your employees, there are solutions throughout the year with the LIG HRA group program. Call the LIG team at 800-306-0163 or visit LIGmembers.com/AEA to discuss coverage options for you, your family and business. More...

Honeywell’s 32nd annual Global Business Aviation Outlook forecasts up to 8,500 new business jet deliveries worth $278 billion from 2024 to 2033. Meanwhile, fleet expansion plans have increased for the third consecutive year, and operators show a greater interest in reducing carbon emissions. Get the report’s key findings from Javier Jimenez Serrano, strategy and market research manager at Honeywell Aerospace, in this episode of AEA Amplified. Listen Now...

Instead of stopping for FAA approval several times during the supplemental type certificate process, Aeronautix only has to do it once at the beginning. The Wichita, Kansas-based company holds Organization Designation Authorization, giving it the ability to issue STCs on behalf of the FAA for Part 23 and 25 aircraft modifications. Using an ODA rather than working directly with the FAA can accomplish the same certification in up to half the time, according to Scott West, who founded Aeronautix and serves as lead ODA administrator for the company.

“We submit the certification plan and wait to get their acceptance,” he said. “Once that’s done, we’re authorized for everything else – test plan approvals, conformity inspections, approvals of flight manuals, instructions for continued airworthiness – and we issue the STC. You wait one time, and then we take care of it. You can see how that would really knock the cycle time down on an STC project.” More...

While the U.S. aviation industry is still learning the value of apprenticeship programs, organizations in other parts of the world have benefited from these programs for decades.

Ric Peri, the AEA’s vice president of government and industry affairs, explained international apprenticeships are way ahead of the U.S. and are using these programs to solve their workforce problems.

“Internationally, there’s a clear distinction between universities and vocational training,” Peri said. “Other countries don’t discount vocational training the way some Americans tend to, so there’s more depth in apprenticeships with international members.”

Apprenticeships have proven extremely successful for three companies that shared their experiences with Avionics News. More...

Delaying switching your third-party administrator or moving your Anti-Drug & Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program to a TPA due to setup costs? Set up your Anti-Drug & Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program with NATA Compliance Services before the end of the year and your setup fee will be waived. Benefit from their electronic custody and control forms, FAA audit preparation, subject-matter experts, online checklists and more. NATACS can also help with your non-DOT drug program(s). More...

Published annually, the 2023-24 edition of the AEA Pilot’s Guide is available upon request.

This year marks the 21st annual edition of the publication, a consumer’s directory loaded with educational articles, timely information and data about the ever-changing 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, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics equipment in general aviation aircraft. It also includes the manufacturers and distributors of these products, as well as technical schools and universities, delegated engineering firms, and consultants for the industry. Individuals residing in the United States may request a free copy while supplies last. Get the Guide...

Certified Repair Station Training (3 seats remain)

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 plan to attend. Register Now...

AET Prep Course and Exam (13 seats remain)

The Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) Prep Course is a hybrid class for aviation technicians who want to earn their NCATT AET certification. Students who register in advance will have access to online modules to self-study the AET coursework before attending the live class at AEA. The online modules take approximately two weeks to complete. Students will attend a one-day review session in person and take the AET certification exam at AEA headquarters in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. ($175 value for exam is included in your course registration.) Register Now...

Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation (4 seats remain)

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. Register Now...

Basic Pitot-Static & Transponder Theory, Testing & Troubleshooting (11 seats remain)

This course is designed for entry-level avionics technicians or those looking for basic training on pitot-static and aircraft transponder systems. The 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 FAR 91.411 and 91.413 checks. Register Now...

Primary Flight Display Installation & Configuration (14 seats remain)

Technicians will learn how to plan, install, interface, configure and check out an installation of a primary flight display, EHSI and GPS/Nav/Com consisting of dual Garmin GI 275, a Garmin GTN 650 touchscreen, and a Garmin GTX 345 transponder. Designed for technicians who have experience with avionics installation practices and are looking for more training integrating common general aviation installations. Register Now...

Avionics Testing Fundamentals (14 seats remain)

This course is designed for technicians who have experience with basic avionics installation practice, familiar with basic soldering skills and are looking for experience in LRU bench testing and avionics trouble shooting. Bench testing Nav, VHF Com and transponders will be the focus of study. Technicians will fabricate a general-purpose test panel that they will use in the course. Attendees will keep their fabricated test panel at course completion. Register Now...

Transponder Service Training (14 seats remain)

This course is designed for technicians who have experience with basic avionics installation practice and are looking for experience in transponder LRU bench testing, transponder flight line testing and aircraft troubleshooting. ADS-B transponders systems will be the focus of study. Attendees will keep their fabricated wire harness at course completion. Register Now...

Nav/Comm Equipment Service Training (13 seats remain)

This course is designed for technicians who have experience with basic avionics installation practice and are looking for experience in avionics flight line testing, LRU bench testing and aircraft troubleshooting. VOR, localizer, glideslope, marker beacon and VHF comms will be the focus of study. Register Now...

Pitot-Static, Transponder, RVSM, and ADS-B: Testing & Inspection (12 seats remain)

Attendees will learn the proper methods for conducting pitot-static and transponder tests and inspections. This full-day course offers a regulatory review and an explanation of the proper administrative procedures for completing these critical certifications. Preparing and performing RVSM inspection tasks. ADS-B session covering installation, wiring and return to service review. Register Now...

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (14 seats remain)

This course is targeted for the homebuilder or avionics technician who wants to learn about performing an avionics installation in an experimental aircraft. The class focuses on the Garmin G3X Touch system, and a simplified example harness is constructed as part of the hands-on portion of the class. While the G3X Touch system is the primary focus, 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. Register Now...

AVX-10K and IFR6000/4000 Operations Training (15 seats remain)

This course is designed to provide maintenance personnel with the knowledge and skills required to operate and configure IFR6000 and IFR4000 to verify and maintain transponder, UAT, TCAS, DME, ILS, VOR, Comms and ELT. Plus a complete review of all features and benefits of the AVX-10K Flight Line Test Set with emphasis on testing transponder (Mode S and ADS-B In/Out), UAT, TCAS and DME. Register Now...

The sky is not the limit in aerospace. If you are ready to reach a higher altitude, visit this one-stop resource that was built by industry professionals and powered by the AEA. The site offers a spotlight on career paths in aviation and includes links to jobs, scholarships, aviation schools, veterans’ resources, information for educators, salary data and more. From the hangar floor to low-earth orbit, opportunities abound. More...

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. Free resume posting is available. Are you up to the challenge? More...

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.

Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of aircraft electronics systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of aircraft electronics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.