The Aircraft Electronics Association recently announced its 2021 year-end Avionics Market Report, and total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales for the year amounted to $2,367,592,204, or more than $2.3 billion as reported by the participating companies. The dollar amount represented a 6.5% increase in total year-end sales compared to 2020.

During the fourth-quarter months of October, November and December, sales increased 7.4% compared to the same time frame one year ago. Fourth-quarter sales increased 0.6% sequentially from the third quarter of 2021 and marked the sixth consecutive quarter of increasing sales.

"Industry sales have been steadily climbing for six straight quarters after bottoming out in the second quarter of 2020," said AEA President and CEO Mike Adamson. "As the industry continues to recover from the initial jolt of the pandemic, avionics manufacturers are now dealing with supply chain issues that may impact sales through 2022. As a result, many OEMs are engaged in ongoing and proactive communications with their dealers and navigating through increasing lead times for some products." More...

General aviation has been begging for something truly revolutionary for decades. Though a series of sidling advances have seen manufacturing revolve – in circles that is – from its robust wartime days, little evolution has occurred in the way we fly. The airframes we construct today remain markedly unchanged. Rigid sheet metal flivvers, tubular frames, and crafts of wood, fabric and composite construction are still pervasive.

A look from the inside out perhaps tells a different story. Significant evolutions have arrived in the cockpit, in the ways we navigate and communicate. More...

Advance registration is available online for the 65th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, the largest gathering of general aviation avionics manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations in the world. It is the place to be for the introduction of new avionics products and services coming to market in 2022. The event will take place at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, March 28-31, 2022.

Attendees must register by March 11 to receive the advance registration rate of $775 (AEA member rate), a savings of $100 for a full convention registration. The attendee full registration package includes: four days of seminars and technical training sessions; exhibit hall entrance for two full days with lunch; and networking with manufacturing and distributors. Daily registration options are also available.

Be sure to check out the AEA’s Health and Safety Preparation page for more information on how the city of New Orleans is preparing for guests. More...

A direct link to make hotel reservations in the official room block at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside for the 2022 AEA Convention is available at aea.net/convention.

The AEA encourages all attendees and exhibitors to secure their hotel rooms soon, as the NCAA Basketball Final Four Tournament will take place in New Orleans immediately following the conclusion of the AEA Convention. Plan ahead and secure your hotel accommodations well in advance of the show. The AEA's special room rate is available until Feb. 25, 2022, or until the room block is full. No rooms will be available after Feb. 25. More...

Need some financial assistance with your education? The Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation will award more than 20 scholarships for the 2022-23 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, 2022. More...

Currently, the world’s satellite-aided search and rescue network is undergoing a massive upgrade. Together with second-generation beacon technology developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the system promises more robust signals, more accurate location data and quicker response times.

As the industry waits for the next-gen system to be fully functional, WS Technologies of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, and other test equipment manufacturers have been developing test capabilities for the new beacons. More...

Cris Owens has that rare ability to look at a complex situation and discern what’s wrong, what’s working and what can be improved. He can think innovatively and build out an idea until it’s reality.

A couple of years ago, Owens helped launch Qmulus Aviation, a Part 145 repair station at Caldwell Industrial Airport, a Boise, Idaho, suburb. He wrote the repair station manual, quality assurance manual, training manual and capabilities list from scratch.

Owens, an avionics technician and airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization, is the consummate accountable manager. He takes his regulatory, financial and fiduciary responsibilities quite seriously, to the point of bucking industry norms. More...

Notice N 8100.ODA, Organization Designation Authorization Holder Interference with ODA Unit Members and Communication between UMs and the Federal Aviation Administration:

This Notice supplements FAA Order 8100.15B, Organization Designation Authorization Procedures, by providing instructions and procedures intended to prevent ODA holder interference with UMs performing their authorized functions and to ensure free communication between UMs and the FAA. The Notice also updates certain instructions and procedures for FAA personnel in evaluating applications submitted for ODA under the procedural requirements set forth in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 183 subpart D and conducting oversight of ODA holders approved under subpart D. To the extent that this Notice conflicts with FAA Order 8100.15B, the contents of this Notice supersede the Order.

To view the draft Notice N 8100.ODA, click here. Comments are due no later than March 10, 2022. Comments should be submitted using the Draft Document Comment Grid. More...

Congratulations to Peter Heffley of Avionics Technologies, who won a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Southeast Aerospace.

Heffley submitted the correct answer in this month's Mystery Make and Model challenge featured in the previous issue of AEA Wired. The unit is a King KDI-570 DME indicator.

Leading Edge Avionics is showing its mettle by expanding rapidly in the long-established and lucrative Southern California market. Back in 2017, when it was still known as Western Avionics, aviation entrepreneur Mike Manclark acquired it with the goal of transforming it into a leader in Southern California. If recent moves are any indication, the company is well on its way, as it just announced the acquisition of Advantage Avionics at Chino Airport along with plans to open a new facility at Riverside Municipal Airport in 2022.

Headquartered at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, the company has access to one of the busiest general aviation airports in the region. John Wayne is home to 500 general aviation aircraft from single-engine pistons to business jets. General aviation accounts for 70% of the airport’s air traffic.

Just a year after it was purchased and renamed Leading Edge, the firm expanded to nearby Long Beach, acquiring several hangars to significantly grow its regional service footprint. Long Beach regularly logs 30,000-plus air taxi and general aviation operations a month. More...

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 2021 issues of Avionics News, technicians can get a head start on their FAA-accepted training. Individuals who complete the exam and score 85% or higher receive credit toward their repair station training program requirements, IA renewal, FAA 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. To take the test, click here. More...

Kent Career Tech Center offers aviation maintenance and electronics programs to high school students in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In this episode of AEA Amplified, AEA visits with instructors Nick Brown and Josh Miller to learn how Kent Career Tech Center is a model program for other schools to follow in educating the next generation of avionics technicians. The school has been an AEA academic member since 2016.

Sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company, AEA Amplified is a podcast for aviation’s technology experts. Learn more about the ever-changing world of avionics technologies from industry professionals and aviation enthusiasts. Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podbean or Spotify. Listen...

The Federal Aviation Administration’s 44th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is now underway, reporting on calendar year 2021. The GA Survey is the only source of information on the general aviation fleet, the number of hours flown, and the ways people use general aviation aircraft.

Data from this survey are used by governmental agencies and industry to:

The FAA and industry need accurate data on a broad range of aircraft. Participation is voluntary, and everyone who is contacted is encouraged to respond to the survey so that all aviation activity is represented. If you have questions, contact Tetra Tech at 800-826-1797 or email infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com.

If you are not quite ready to take the AET test, AEA has you covered.

Avotek, an AEA member and training partner, offers online courses to help avionics technicians prepare for the AET exam and is offering a member discount of 40% off.

The Fundamentals of Aircraft Electronics Part I - Electricity and Electronics and The Fundamentals of Aircraft Electronics Part II - Maintenance Practices and Aircraft Fundamentals are the essential guides to aircraft electronics associated with AET certification.

To access the coupon codes, you will need to be logged in to the AEA website. AEA members get 40% off each course with the coupon codes. More...

ADS-B Configuration, Testing & Troubleshooting (12 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 (11 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.

Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation (9 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.

Basic Pitot-Static & Transponder Theory, Testing & Troubleshooting (18 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.

Certified Repair Station Training (16 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 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.