National Aviation Hall of Fame Inducts Garmin's Gary Burrell and Min Kao

On Sept. 14, Garmin co-founders Dr. Min Kao and the late Gary Burrell were inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame during the 60th annual enshrinement ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton, Ohio. Under their leadership, Garmin developed products and technologies that advanced modern aviation safety and capabilities, including navigation, communications, flight controls and sensor systems. Dr. Kao still serves as the company's executive chairman of the board.

“Thirty-five years ago, Gary Burrell and Dr. Min Kao founded Garmin with the strong belief that superior navigation and communications products could enrich and even save people’s lives," said Cliff Pemble, Garmin president and CEO. "To truly honor their pioneering work and the foundation they laid for Garmin’s acclaimed products, there is no greater tribute than seeing them inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.” More...

AEA South Pacific Regional Begins Thursday in Melbourne, Australia

Approved maintenance organizations, manufacturers, regulators and educators will come together for two days of training, networking and professional development at the AEA South Pacific Regional this week. The two-day event takes place Sept. 26-27 at the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park Hotel and allows technicians and business owners the opportunity to 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. More...

Here are the results of the poll question from the Sept. 11 edition of AEA Wired:

52.8% – No

47.2% – Yes

Early-bird Registration Open for 2025 AEA Convention

Register by Dec. 31 and save $235 per person

Registration has opened for the 68th 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 2025. The event will take place March 18-21, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Attendees must register by Dec. 31, 2024, to receive the early-bird discount price of $715 (AEA member rate) for a full convention registration. The early-bird promotion offers a $235 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...

AOPA Names New President and CEO

Darren Pleasance will become the sixth president and chief executive officer of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association effective Jan. 1, 2025. He will succeed Mark Baker, who has served in that capacity for the past 11 years. Earlier this year, Baker announced his intention to retire but remain as the association's leader until a successor was appointed. Pleasance most recently led Cisco's Acceleration Center, an organization formed to accelerate the success of mission-critical aspects of Cisco's business transformation. More...

Jumpstarting America's Fledgling AAM Sector

Cats and dogs. Oil and water. Republicans and Democrats. The White House and business aviation. These are all things that have a history of not getting along well with each other. That sudden change of direction makes the recent passing of the landmark FAA Reauthorization Act even more amazing, as it was the first of its kind to contain a general aviation title.

While every section of the signed bill will play an essential role in continuing to make America’s aerospace the safest and most advanced in the world, the language that will have the most immediate impact on avionics shops is the one that encourages aviation innovation. This landmark section applies specific funding that ensures the safe and efficient testing and integration of new technologies, such as drones and advanced air mobility into the national airspace. More...

Rosen Aviation Launches Innovative Passenger-Experience Technology

Since its establishment in the early 1980s, Rosen Aviation, the bespoke in-flight entertainment and cabin electronics company headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, has been resolute in defining the premium aviation passenger experience by transforming imagination into reality. That mission was vividly demonstrated at the company’s booth during the recent Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, as Rosen unveiled its PO-RT-AL, or Personally Optimized, Real-Time, Augmented Luxury system.

An Aircraft Electronics Association member since 2003, Rosen’s booth featured an IFE seat-back organic light-emitting diode display weighing in at 1 pound, about the same as a new 13-inch iPad, and a new lightweight carbon composite chassis. The AIX booth also highlighted Rosen’s digital windows and skylights, curved carbon composite IFE displays – in sizes up to 97 inches – a hologram controller, and a smart cupholder. More...

Will Your Customer Crash?

It’s a good question that every technician and shop manager should ponder before signing the maintenance release. Anyone can crash, of course, but the reality is that the National Transportation Safety Board reports are littered with post-maintenance wrecks, and there are lessons to be learned from every one of them.

Control surfaces installed backward, mis-wired pitch trim and engine fires from sloppy engine monitor installs only scratch the surface of fly-aways gone bad. But it isn’t only shop-related errors that can land a customer in trouble. How many owners do you suppose crash simply because they get behind the aircraft while struggling to operate new and unfamiliar gear when the workload stacks up against them?

No matter the cause, a shop doesn’t need to deal with the attention it will get when a customer crashes after fetching the aircraft from work. It’s a problem worth building a quality control program around, and some shops already do with a safety management system, or SMS. More...

Universal Avionics Delivers Modern Technology to Hawker 800 Series

The Hawker 800 series of business jets dates back to the early 1980s. More than 600 of these tough birds in various models were built. While the Hawker 800 wasn’t the fastest airplane on the planet, it could comfortably carry six people and baggage nearly 2,000 miles nonstop, which is why so many operators fly them today. Some four decades after the 800 first appeared, operators swear by them, claiming that Hawkers, like the venerable Chevrolet Suburban, seldom seem to break.

Hawker 800 operators can now give those ancient-looking cockpit panels a facelift thanks to Universal Avionics’ recent announcement of its InSight Display System. InSight replaces the aging cathode ray tube-dependent displays of some Hawker’s original Honeywell SPZ-8000 avionics. The Federal Aviation Administration granted the supplemental type certificate for the InSight modification completed by Melbourne, Florida-based Southeast Aerospace. More...

BITTS Fosters Fresh Starts

In December 2023, as the first class of BITTS graduates prepared to take the stage at Miami-Opa locka Executive Airport in Florida, Captain Barrington Irving beamed with pride. Through hard work and determination, the students had completed 12 weeks of rigorous aviation-related training at the technical school he had founded earlier in the year.

Many of the students had overcome considerable adversity to arrive at this moment and stand tall with the well-earned pageantry and applause. This was their chance to shine. They deserved every minute of it. More than a ceremony, this was also signing day for the graduates with each one receiving a job offer within the industry. More...

AEA Amplified Podcast:

How do pilots locate avionics shops through iFlightPlanner?

Private pilots and corporate operators now have the added benefit of easily locating AEA member companies through iFlightPlanner. This new service will help thousands of pilots find an avionics shop in the United States through iFlightPlanner’s web-based platforms, including iFlightPlanner for AOPA, and mobile apps for iOS. The collaboration is expected to expand to additional countries in the future. Andy Matthews, co-founder of iFlightPlanner, has the details in this episode of AEA Amplified. Listen...

Featured Jobs: Look Who's Hiring

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:

• Avionics Technician at Southeast Aerospace, More...
• Aircraft Instrument Technician at Castleberry Instruments & Avionics, More...
• Avionics Quoting Specialist at Maloney Services Group, More...
• Avionics Technician at ACI Jet, More...
• Avionics Technician at Aerotronics, More...

Did You Know?

AEA members save 20% with KITCO Fiber Optics

KITCO Fiber Optics is a leading provider of fiber optic termination products and consulting services to the military and commercial communications industry. Its superior hands-on training is designed and delivered by the fiber optic experts and can affordably have you up to speed and certified in a week or less! Trainers have exceptional credentials, including advanced industry certifications, substantial field experience and over 140 years of combined direct classroom experience.

The certified Commercial Aviation Technician’s Fiber Optic Course is designed to meet the AIRINC 807-3 (Aircraft Radio Incorporated) knowledge competencies and skill sets associated with commercial aviation fiber optic methods and processes. Each student completing the course will receive a three-year Craftsman certification. Students also have the option of taking the Aerospace Fiber Optics Fabricator Examination (SAEFAB). In addition, all aviation students may take the Fiber Optics Evaluation and Endface Cleaning examination (FEEC117) based on the ARINC 805 standard.

Custom connector training can be designed on a case-by-case basis. Please share your particular requirements. Custom courses will be priced accordingly. AEA members receive a 20% discount off list price. More...

AEA South Pacific Regional

Melbourne, Australia

September 26-27, 2024

Join aviation's technology experts from New Zealand, Australia and the entire South Pacific for two days of training and exhibits. More...

AEA Central Regional

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

October 10-11, 2024

This year's Central Regional is at the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel. Make your hotel reservations by September 18. More...

NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition

Las Vegas, Nevada

October 22-24, 2024

The world of business aviation comes together at NBAA-BACE to see the latest aircraft, review innovations for the flight deck, and hear from aviation and business leaders about the future of the industry. More...

AEA Europe Regional

Copenhagen, Denmark

November 12-13, 2024

AEA members in Europe should make their hotel reservations by October 11 at the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel. More...

NATA Aviation Business Conference

Nashville, Tennessee

November 13, 2024

This annual industry reunion will provide a final chance to prepare for new opportunities and get ahead of challenges in the coming year. Join NATA, industry experts, thought leaders, and key aviation business decision-makers representing various sectors of the GA community, including FBOs, airports, air charter operators, MROs, and AAMs/UAMs, to create connections and foster open discussion on a range of key industry topics. More...

AEA East Regional

Jacksonville, Florida

November 21-22, 2024

The sixth and final AEA Regional of the year takes place at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. Make your hotel reservations by October 16. More...

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

October 8, 2024

Virtual-live course

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...

Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation (10 seats remain)

October 14-16, 2024

In-person course; 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. Register Now...

AVX-10K and IFR6000/4000 Operations Training (7 seats remain)

October 16, 2024

In-person course; Lee's Summit, Missouri

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 (13 seats remain)

October 17-18, 2024

In-person course; 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. 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...

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (7 seats remain)

October 23-25, 2024

In-person course; Lee's Summit, Missouri

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 out a niche, this class has something for everyone. Register Now...

Safety Management System Coordinator Training (6 seats remain)

October 28, 2024

Virtual-live course

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...

Introduction to DO-160 Qualification (10 seats remain)

October 29-30, 2024

In-person course; Lee's Summit, Missouri

This course is designed to equip professionals with essential insights into RTCA DO-160, a cornerstone standard dictating test criteria and methodologies crucial for ensuring the operational integrity of systems and equipment within the aircraft environment. Register Now...

Digital Databus Theory and Analysis (10 seats remain)

November 1, 2024

Virtual-live course

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...

Aircraft Instrument Systems (15 seats remain)

December 4-5, 2024

Virtual-live course

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...

Advanced Avionics Installation & Configuration (14 seats remain)

January 6-8, 2025

In-person course; Lee's Summit, Missouri

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 touch-screen, 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...

SDR-OMNI Operations Training (15 seats remain)

January 8, 2025

In-person course; Lee's Summit, Missouri

This half-day course is designed to provide avionics technicians with the knowledge and skills required to operate and configure the TIC SDR-OMNI all-in-one avionics test set. Register Now...

Pitot-Static, Transponder, RVSM, and ADS-B: Testing & Inspection (15 seats remain)

January 9-10, 2025

In-person course; Lee's Summit, Missouri

Attendees will learn the proper methods for conducting pitot-static and transponder tests and inspections. This two-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...

Certified Repair Station Training (sold-out)

January 13-17, 2025

In-person course; 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 plan to attend. Learn More...

Garmin received certification of the G5000 integrated flight deck for Cessna Citation XLS+ and XLS Gen2 aircraft, building upon the successful G5000 upgrade program for Citation Excel and XLS aircraft.

Gogo Business Aviation and Airshare have entered a multiyear in-flight connectivity agreement that provides Airshare aircraft management clients an option to install Gogo AVANCE, Gogo 5G, and Gogo Galileo, the company’s low-Earth orbit broadband satellite service.

EDMO Distributors announced the addition of LockNClimb Ladder Safety Systems for the aviation industry to its expanding line card.

West Star Aviation promoted Ray Sharp to director of maintenance at the East Alton, Illinois, facility and Michael Ditmeyer to director of maintenance at the Chattanooga, Tennessee, location.

Duncan Aviation announced that in December the company will begin construction of a new $25 million paint facility at its Lincoln, Nebraska, MRO location.

Texas Aerospace Technologies achieved STC approval for the True Blue Power TS28 Emergency Battery Power Supply.

Innovative Advantage named Cristina Scarlata as its new marketing specialist.

C&L Aerospace, a C&L Aviation Group company, announced that Robert (Bob) Pierson has joined the corporate parts sales team as a regional sales manager. C&L Aviation Services expanded its component repair facility with a new landing gear rating and wheel and brake capabilities.

Skyservice celebrated the grand opening of its new Seattle Business Jet Center at King County International Airport – Boeing Field.

uAvionix and its partner Capital Sciences have been awarded contracts to equip six more major U.S. airports with the FlightLine surface situational awareness system.

StandardAero signed a non-exclusive agreement with Turkish operator Corendon Airlines to provide CFM International LEAP-1B engine services in support of the carrier’s fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Clay Lacy Aviation has been accredited by the National Business Aviation Association as a Sustainable Flight Department in the category of Infrastructure, joining a global list of approximately 30 corporate flight departments and aviation service providers.

AeroCareers.net Offers Aerospace Career Paths

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...

Are You Hiring? List Your Openings

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.

Request Your 2024-25 AEA Pilot's Guide

Published annually by the Aircraft Electronics Association, the 2024-25 edition of the AEA Pilot's Guide is now available upon request. This year marks the 22nd annual edition of the AEA Pilot’s Guide, 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 by clicking here.

About the AEA



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.