The Aircraft Electronics Association has added another workforce development tool to the aerospace industry’s belt by launching AeroCareers.net. The website was designed as a one-stop shop to help recruit and retain the next generation of talent. Built by industry professionals and powered by the AEA, the new 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.

"Developed by a team of industry representatives who acknowledge the path to a career in aerospace can take many forms, this workforce initiative strives to provide clear and simple information for those who aspire to reach a higher altitude," said AEA President and CEO Mike Adamson. "Business owners, aircraft technicians, pilots, engineers, marketers and manufacturers all joined the effort to sharpen the focus on opportunities in aerospace and make the path to success easier to navigate. It is a resource for anyone interested in aviation and something the entire industry can use when promoting careers." More...

This scholarship honors Monte Mitchell’s service of more than 40 years to the Aircraft Electronics Association and the general aviation industry. It will be awarded to an AEA member employee.

The scholarship will cover a full registration to attend the AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Orlando, April 24-27. It covers registration fees 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 to be given prior to the AEA Convention. Application...

The Federal Aviation Administration published a long-awaited notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Jan. 11, 2023, that would amend the applicability of safety management systems. Noticeably absent from the proposal is Part 145 approved maintenance organizations.

But what does this truly mean for AEA member companies and the aviation industry? Learn the latest on this important topic from Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, Moog Company. Listen...

If “necessity is the mother of invention,” then it’s not a stretch to believe that opportunity is the father of innovation. Even in today’s worldwide parts shortage, finding opportunities to adapt to the situation and meet changing needs has worked for PS Engineering.

The PMA450C digital audio panel is the perfect example of the company’s philosophy of taking what opportunity is offering and combining it with what the current situation deems necessary to create products that better meet pilots’ needs. More...

Overflowing with energy and a sense of gratitude, Jorge Torres has patiently and eagerly made the most of his opportunities. In doing so, he’s taking on his biggest venture yet – building a business. At Prescott Regional Airport in Arizona, Zulu Avionics & Maintenance bustles with a team of technicians working on fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

“On the avionics side of the house, we do it all – from new installations to repairing older avionics to creating custom panels – for (owner-operator) general aviation aircraft as well as some business jets,” said Torres, an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization. “We also support and maintain avionics for local flight schools such as Embry-Riddle, North-Aire Aviation and Universal Helicopters.” More...

Cirrus Aircraft is putting pilots and aircraft owners in touch with data from their SR Series aircraft using an iPhone app called Cirrus IQ. At the same time, the company is developing a powerful fleet management system for a flight school to use in tracking its fleet of 25 Cirrus training aircraft.

The Cirrus IQ app for iPhones introduced in 2020 with the launch of the Cirrus SR20, SR22 and turbocharged SR22T has received some upgrades already with more in the works. The mobile app allows a pilot of Cirrus SR piston model aircraft now in production to check on key single-piston engine airplane vital statistics remotely while on the ground. It provides real-time access to aircraft data such as fuel quantity, oil temperature and TKS fluid from anywhere in the world. Only the owner of the aircraft can invite another person to retrieve the IQ cellphone data such as the pilot’s favorite mechanic. From a mechanic’s perspective, Cirrus IQ provides basic data. More...

AEA members recently elected Bryan Kahl to the association’s board of directors. Kahl serves as senior director of sales and customer experience for Avidyne, the Melbourne, Florida-based avionics manufacturer. Avidyne designs and manufactures integrated navigation and communication systems, flight display systems, ADS-B In/Out transponders and weather and traffic systems for general aviation aircraft.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the AEA board and truly looking forward to helping drive our industry forward,” said Kahl, who brings more than 20 years of experience in customer service and operations to the board. More...

Advanced air mobility continues to make the news through recent legislative and policy efforts. One legislative action is meant to shore up the U.S. strategic planning and global leadership in the AAM industry while a notice of proposed rulemaking aims to pave the way for powered-lift aircraft in commercial operations. Another policy measure will ensure strong cooperation between the U.S. and Japan, and a final regulatory initiative aims to allow for development of new AAM infrastructure. More...

In most human endeavors, frequency plays a significant part in reaping an activity’s risks or rewards. As the AOPA Air Safety Institute reveals in its annual Joseph T. Nall Report, aviation is an excellent example of this reality. The goal of every flight hour is an accident-free outcome, but with humans being the unpredictable variable in the aviation safety equation (as in pilots and technicians), every flight hour is an opportunity for an unwanted outcome.

Anyone who spends a consistent amount of time at an airport can affirm that the COVID-19 pandemic locked down a lot of pilots in 2020, and the 32nd Nall Report quantifies the resulting consequences. Focused on general aviation, it analyzes accidents involving an aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less (or a helicopter of any size) that take place each year in the national airspace system, including flights departing from and returning to the United States, its territories, and possessions. More...

For electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft under development now to enter operations, there first has to be a concept of how they will be operated. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are working on this, and preliminary drafts of concepts of operations, or ConOps, have been written. However, it is only a few years before makers of these novel aircraft want them to enter service.

There is a tsunami of venture capital money pouring into the development of novel air vehicles, and some industry players are testing new concepts on their own of how to operate. The Financial Times reported in 2021 that investors had put $4.3 billion into electric air taxi startup companies in a 12-month period. “The friction will come when the industry is ready to go and the government is not,” said Charlie Keegan, chief executive officer of Aviation Management Associates Inc., a consultancy in Washington, D.C. More...

Many states have sales tax exemptions on aircraft maintenance, whether on related labor, parts, or both. What are the benefits of your state having these exemptions? How can an organization lobby to get exemptions? Are there any trade-offs? For example, are states without sales tax exemptions on labor and parts more likely to have fly-away exemptions or lower or no personal property tax or registration fees?

Many states do not charge sales taxes on aircraft parts and labor. In states that do charge sales taxes, those sales taxes on major avionics work can add thousands of dollars to the cost of upgrades. More...

Advance registration is available online for the 66th 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 2023. The event will take place at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, April 24-27, 2023.

Attendees must register by April 5 to receive the advance registration rate of $795 (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 with manufacturers and distributors. More...

Need some financial assistance with your education? The Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation will award multiple scholarships for the 2023-24 school year to students pursuing a career in avionics 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, 2023. More...

Published annually by the Aircraft Electronics Association, the 2022-23 edition of the AEA Pilot's Guide was recently unveiled. This year marks the 20th 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 government-certified repair stations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. It also includes the manufacturers and distributors of these products, as well as technical schools and universities, engineers and consultants for the industry.

Individuals residing in the United States may request a free copy of the AEA Pilot's Guide at aeapilotsguide.net/request.asp while supplies last. More...

Avionics Testing Fundamentals (sold-out)

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 troubleshooting. Bench testing Nav, VHF comm 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.

Transponder Service Training (sold-out)

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.

NAV/COMM Equipment Service Training (4 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.

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 hands-on training, including 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.

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (5 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.

Safety Management System Coordinator Training (13 seats remain)

The AEA has developed a proprietary SMS program designed for maintenance organizations, sized for small businesses and leveraged by the 900-strong repair station membership. This program has been coordinated 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. The training will provide a solid overview of modern safety principles, the International Civil Aviation Organization guidance on SMS implementation and the use and operation of the proprietary AEA SMS program.

Basic Wiring and Avionics Installation (sold-out)

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.

Basic Pitot-Static & Transponder Theory, Testing & Troubleshooting (3 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.

Aircraft Instrument Systems (14 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.

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

This course is designed for currently employed repair station personnel and installers of ADS-B systems. Approximately 7% 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.

Digital Databus Theory & Analysis (15 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.

In-flight Connectivity Foundations (15 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 support in-flight connectivity system installations and maintenance. This eight-hour training enables aircraft technicians and operators to gain understanding on the basic airborne networks, IFC systems, and the services they provide.

Certified Repair Station Training (20 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.

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.