Attention AEA members: This is your last chance to apply for the Monte Mitchell Scholarship, which will be awarded to an AEA member employee and will cover a full registration to attend the AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Dallas, March 19-22, along with travel and hotel expenses.

The award recognizes an AEA member employee for their exemplary job performance and pursuit of professional development. This is an annual award given prior to the AEA Convention. Apply Now...

On Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, the Aircraft Electronics Association and the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) submitted joint comments to the Federal Aviation Administration’s proposal for the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification. The associations’ comments were developed following input from the membership at three AEA regional meetings, the AEA’s government and industry affairs committee, and in partnership with ARSA. More...

Ryan Hawk will be the keynote speaker at the AEA Convention's opening session, March 19. Hawk is the host of The Learning Leader Show and has recorded more than 550 episodes over the past eight-plus years.

Forbes called The Learning Leader Show “the most dynamic leadership podcast around.” According to Inc. Magazine, “it’s one of the five podcasts to make you a smarter leader.” Hawk is also the author of Welcome to Management: How to Grow from Top Performer to Excellent Leader and the Pursuit of Excellence – heralded by Forbes as the “most dynamic leadership book of 2022 delivering a masterclass on how to apply the most useful habits to real life.” When he’s not recording podcasts or writing books, he helps leaders be more effective and shares his experience through keynotes all over the world. More...

Advance registration is available online for the 67th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, the largest gathering of aircraft 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, at Marriott's Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.

Attendees must register by March 1 to receive the advance registration rate of $825 (AEA member rate) for a full convention registration, a savings of $100 per person 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 at the first-nighter event with manufacturers and distributors. Register...

Trig Avionics sales in the United States are picking up as more owners of legacy aircraft decide to upgrade their piston aircraft and as the light-sport aircraft market heats up. Trig’s stack bundle with radio, transponder, nav/com and audio panel is 2 pounds lighter and ¾ inch shorter than the industry standard avionics stack.

In August 2023, Trig announced a supplemental type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration for its TX56, TX56A, TX57 and TX57A nav/coms. According to the company, the TX56 is the “most space efficient” slimline nav/com on the market, at only 1.3 inches tall. The ‘A’ versions are 760-channel radios, without 8.33-kilohertz channel spacing. Trig partnered with Peregrine of Denver, Colorado, its longtime STC partner, on this effort. The STC covers configurations with autopilot and support for both legacy and modern VORs and ILSs. More...

When Lyle Jansma began upgrading his Cessna 172 a few years ago, he didn’t anticipate it would evolve into a side gig helping owner-operators build instrument panels. Or that his side gig would eventually turn into a full-time business producing a replacement structural panel for Cessna 172s.

An aviation photographer, Jansma purchased a 1971 Cessna 172L while earning his private pilot’s license. Unlike most pilots, he didn’t hand off his upgrade project to someone else. With the guidance of an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization, Jansma did it himself, designing and fabricating an instrument panel as an owner-produced part.

“I created an aluminum instrument panel so that I could install a pair of flush-mounted Garmin G5s. Other aircraft owners liked it and asked if I could do the same for them, which I did,” said Jansma, who founded Six Pack Aero at Bellingham International Airport in Bellingham, Washington, in 2018. “When some owners wanted to update their older Cessna 172s with standard six-packs or 10-inch primary flight displays, I realized those instruments wouldn’t fit, so I created a solution.” More...

At the age between 16 and 18, a German student can choose to pursue training in a hands- on trade, including becoming an avionics technician while being paid to do so.

The program benefits Laurent Gauthier’s avionics repair business, Porta Air Service, located at PortaWestfalica Airport, 50 miles west of Hannover. This facility has been in business for 55 years; avionics work began in 2007 and is now a major activity. Gauthier has a team of 40 technicians working there, including mechanics and 18 avionics specialists. Of the five apprentices, three aim to become avionics technicians in the 3.5-year program. More...

AEA members recently elected Chuck Gallagher to the board of directors. Gallagher, who has 30 years of experience in aviation, serves as president and chief executive officer of Eastern Cincinnati Aviation and executive vice president of Sporty’s, both of which are based at Clermont County Airport in Batavia, Ohio. Gallagher also serves as airport manager on behalf of the Clermont County Commissioners.

“I studied mechanical engineering in college and graduated in 1993,” Gallagher said. “It was a tough job market for engineers at the time. I saw an ad in the paper for a plant engineer of a small company. I interviewed, got the job, and it’s just grown from there.”

Today, he oversees some 75 employees at ECA and is involved in virtually every aspect of the organization and the airport. A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporty’s, ECA operates an FBO, the Part 145 repair station Cincinnati Avionics, and the Sporty’s Academy flight school. More...

Learn about the benefits of Gogo’s network migrating to LTE combined with its AVANCE systems. Dave Salvador, aftermarket channel vice president for Gogo Business Aviation, explains why selecting the right solution is critical for everything needed today and for what is coming in 2024.

Don’t miss this important update from Gogo in this episode of AEA Amplified. Listen...

For individuals interested in pursuing professional opportunities in the avionics industry, the AEA jobs board is your one-stop resource. Search the AEA's job listings and see what's on your horizon. Free resume posting is available for job-seekers.

Here's a brief sampling of some of the outstanding opportunities currently listed:

The annual Avionics News Technical Training Exam is now available for avionics technicians and AEA members. By completing the exam, which covers regulatory and technical topics featured in the 2023 issues of Avionics News, technicians can get a head start on their FAA-accepted training. Individuals who pass the exam receive credit toward their repair station training program requirements, IA renewal, AMT awards, and the AEA Avionics Training Excellence Award.

Access to the test takes place for AEA members through the AERO platform, which allows exams to be graded in real time, certificates to be downloaded instantly, and a record to be retained for each participant. Don’t have all 12 issues of Avionics News from the past year? No problem. They are all available in the digital archives right at your fingertips. Take the test...

The AEA Educational Foundation will award multiple scholarships for the 2024-25 school year to students pursuing a career in aviation electronics or aircraft maintenance, as well as students from AEA member companies.

Since its inception, the AEA scholarship program has awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships. The deadline to submit a scholarship application is April 1, 2024. More...

AEA members receive discounts starting at 70% with TForce Freight. This program offers discounts on customized solutions for all of your LTL (less-than-truckload) needs. Email associations@tforcefreight.com or call 866-443-9303. More...

AEA companies can learn about more member benefits from association partners with their member login and password.

Avionics Testing Fundamentals (6 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 (6 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 (6 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 (sold-out)

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. Learn More...

ADS-B Configuration, Testing and Troubleshooting (14 seats remain)

This course is designed for currently employed repair station personnel and installers of ADS-B systems. Approximately 4.8% of all general aviation ADS-B installations are non-compliant based on the FAA’s ADS-B Performance Monitoring System. This course focuses on the proper configuration and testing of ADS-B installations to ensure your installation meets the performance requirements and regulations. Also included are troubleshooting tips and tricks that will help you resolve the common problems found in ADS-B installations. Register Now...

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (1 seat remains)

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...

Aircraft Instrument Systems (13 seats remain)

This course is designed for avionics technicians or apprentices who want to learn more about aircraft instrument systems and better understand their operation, installation considerations, and maintenance to become more-effective troubleshooters. From simple mechanical gauges to complex electrical and electronic systems, this course covers nearly every instrument system in an aircraft. Register Now...

Digital Databus Theory and Analysis (13 seats remain)

As today’s modern airplanes become much more technologically advanced, so must the professionals who maintain them. The advanced avionics and instrumentation systems used in these aircraft rely on various forms of digital databus communication. Understanding digital databus theory is becoming more and more important for avionics technicians, and even A&P mechanics, to effectively test and troubleshoot these highly advanced aircraft systems. Register Now...

Safety Management System Coordinator Training (14 seats remain)

Risk management is a vital element of any successful business. Whether driven by best practices or responding to a regulatory requirement, the AEA has your solution. Leveraged by the 900-strong repair station membership, the AEA developed a proprietary SMS program designed specifically for maintenance organizations. This program is currently used on every continent. The AEA has been coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada Civil Aviation, as well as discussions with the Australian government's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, for future acceptance. Register Now...

Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation (10 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...

AVX-10K & 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...

Basic Pitot-Static & Transponder Theory, Testing & Troubleshooting (15 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...

Certified Repair Station Training (12 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...

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...

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.

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...

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.