The Aircraft Electronics Association recently unveiled its third-quarter 2022 Avionics Market Report. In the first nine months of the year, total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales amounted to $2,084,494,844.43, or more than $2 billion as reported by the participating companies. Third-quarter sales increased 4.6% sequentially from the second quarter of 2022, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of increasing sales. During the third-quarter months of July, August and September, sales increased 23.2% compared to the same time frame one year ago.

The figure represented an 18.3% increase in total sales compared to the first nine months of 2021, which was driven by a 39.1% increase in forward-fit sales compared to the same time frame one year ago. The more than $407 million in forward-fit sales marks the largest sales total in that category in the report's history, surpassing the previous high of more than $376 million reported in the second quarter of 2019. More...

C&L Aviation Group, an Aircraft Electronics Association member company, has launched a new scholarship for a Bangor-area high school senior to pursue an aircraft and powerplant license at Mowhawk Valley Community College in Rome, New York. With an A&P license, the student will be FAA-approved to perform maintenance on aircraft and start their career in the field of aviation. The student will also be offered a position with C&L upon completion of the certification at the company’s 200,000-square-foot MRO facility in Bangor, Maine.

Since 2010, C&L has grown from a company of less than two dozen to over 200 employees. The scholarship program is one of many ways that C&L has worked to build its employee base by training and educating the local community. In 2021, C&L launched a state-recognized apprenticeship program that provides on-the-job training for those accepted into the program. More...

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

Attendees must register by Dec. 31, 2022, to receive the early-bird discount price of $695 (AEA member rate) for a full convention registration. The early-bird promotion offers a $200 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...

In May 2022, Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems opened its new, state-of-the-art facility at Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport, southeast of Nashville, Tennessee, after outgrowing its previous location. Although the move from Nashville International Airport added some 10,000 square feet of working space for the Part 145 repair station, general manager Kenyon Blacker expects to expand again in the near future.

“Our new hangar is 40,000 square feet and the back shop is 17,000 for a total of 57,000 square feet,” he said. “We’re growing leaps and bounds every day, and we’ve already almost outgrown this facility. We’ve provisioned a spot for another 40,000-square-foot hangar, which I’m hoping to break ground on within the next year or two.” More...

The annual Avionics Training Excellence Award recognizes AEA members for their total commitment to training. Pilots and aircraft owners may not be aware of the avionics industry’s dedication to technician training. For decades, the AEA has led the way with comprehensive programs to cover everything from the basics to advanced avionics instruction. A total commitment to training by AEA member companies and the recognition of the Avionics Training Excellence Award allow members to demonstrate their dedication to professional career development and assure their customers of a higher level of service.

To qualify, an AEA member company must submit a completed ATE Award application and provide proof of participation in an AEA-recognized training event for every employed technician from January to December of the award year. Applications for the 2022 award are due Dec. 31, 2022. More...

Though more individuals received FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic licenses in 2019 than in any of the previous 17 years, this promising upward trend in aviation maintenance workforce development ground to a halt in 2020 with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the 2021 Pipeline Report by the Aviation Technician Education Council.

The ATEC research found that long-term forecasts continue to project a shortage in qualified aviation maintenance technicians. The mechanic population is expected to increase 13% over the next 20 years, but ultimately fall 12,000 mechanics short of meeting commercial aviation needs in 2041 – while also leaving no bandwidth to meet increased workforce demand for business aviation, general aviation, rotorcraft or emerging technologies. Additionally, the number of retiring mechanics will outpace new entrants through the next decade, which means the aviation technical workforce will not start meeting new demand until 2032, according to the report.

One possible solution to the aviation maintenance staffing shortage that is being embraced but perhaps not yet fully leveraged is recruitment of military talent to fill openings for AMT and avionics technician roles at OEMs, MROs and business aviation flight departments. More...

Change is a dynamic variable in business, and striving for equilibrium, adjusting to balance opposing or divergent elements, is a sustainable antidote. Responding to a relentless progression of challenges, from the supply-chain issues, inflation and the chronic shortage of technicians, the 2022 AEA Rate and Labor Survey reveals an optimistic majority of avionics repair stations predicting growth and success in the coming year.

Overall, more than 60% of the survey’s U.S. respondents expect their business to increase in the coming year. In Canada, 53% expect growth, with 56% of South Pacific respondents feeling likewise. Equally important are the single-digit changes among the 7% who expect business to decline, with 33% expecting business to remain the same. More...

The Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed a formal determination that lead emissions from aircraft operating on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution, endangering public health and welfare. The action is a follow-up to the 2010 advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on the same topic. In that ANPRM, the agency anticipated this proposal to be published in 2017 or 2018.

The determination is in accordance with section 231(a) of the Clean Air Act and is what the agency calls an “endangerment finding.” While the determination is subject to public notice and comment, the EPA plans to issue any final endangerment determination in 2023. More...

With over two decades of managing anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention programs, NATA Compliance Services collaborates with the Aircraft Electronics Association to help member companies develop programs that provide accurate, fast and reliable solutions for a safe and compliant drug-free workplace. Acting as a third-party administrator, NATACS is the one-stop solution for your repair station’s anti-drug and alcohol program needs. Learn the ins and outs on how NATACS can help your business in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company. Listen...

Holding off on switching your third-party administrator or moving your anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention program to a TPA due to setup costs? Well, NATACS has a treat just for you!

Set up your anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention program with NATACS before the end of the year and your setup fee will be waived! Benefit from the 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...

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...

The AEA’s online training platform called AERO, short for the Aerospace Education Resource Online system, allows users to train at their own pace and operates like a personal learning management system. A brand-new course on Indoctrination Training: Regulatory Familiarization has been released and is free for AEA members with a member login and password.

In addition, a dozen new courses that took place at this year's AEA Convention in New Orleans are now available, including OEM technical sessions; Troubleshooting Antennas & Transmission Lines; Marketing Beyond the Runway; How to Succeed in Business (Aviation) Without Really Trying; Clarity is Magnetic – A Discussion in Leadership & Personal Development; and Airplanes or Marketing: It’s All About the LIFT.

Convention attendees may access the sessions recorded at AEA New Orleans for free, and those AEA members who could not attend the convention may purchase them. Training content is exclusive to AEA members. AEA AERO will continue to add and update content to help members accomplish their training goals. 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...

Certified Repair Station Training (sold-out)

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.

Primary Flight Display Installation & Configuration (11 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.

Avionics Testing Fundamentals (10 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 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 (8 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.

NAV/COMM Equipment Service Training (8 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 (10 seats remain)

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 (12 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 (15 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 (13 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 (15 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.

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.