On Jan. 13, 2022, Innovative Solutions & Support announced that Geoffrey S. M. Hedrick, founder, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, passed away due to complications from a sudden illness. Hedrick spent his entire professional career in the avionics industry. Following his electrical engineering education at Cornell, he worked briefly in the aviation instrument subsidiary of Bulova. In 1971, Hedrick founded Harowe Systems Inc. as a joint venture with another company in aerospace hardware.

By 1978, Harowe Systems had grown substantially and was spun out and acquired by Smiths Industries. He continued to run Harowe and later served as president and CEO of Smiths Industries North American Aerospace Companies. In 1988, he founded IS&S, and the company has been an AEA member since 2005. During the course of his career in avionics, Hedrick held nearly 100 patents in the electronics, optoelectric, electromagnetic, aerospace and contamination-control fields. More...

The scholarship, which honors Monte Mitchell's service of more than 40 years to the Aircraft Electronics Association, will cover a full registration to attend the AEA International Convention & Trade Show in New Orleans, March 28-31. 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...

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...

Here are the results of the poll question from the Jan. 12 edition of AEA Wired:

Innovation is a process that often takes one step at a time. The day when people can push a button on some phone app and have an automated, electric-powered “air taxi with nobody in it show up at their exact location is a little further off than people are imagining right now,” said Joe Burns, chief executive officer of the AIRO Group.

“Asking a certification agency like the FAA to approve automated flight without a pilot is a very tall order,” he said, especially when combined with the other new systems involved, electric propulsion, battery technology, digital flight controls, and artificial intelligence.

The next step of innovation will be integrating all of the necessary technology, the sensors, the digital flight controls, and the artificial intelligence into the foundation of today’s general aviation suite of global navigation satellite system avionics that provide the communication, navigation and surveillance capabilities required of all flying machines in controlled airspace. 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...

Many of today’s modern helicopters employ autopilot systems that allow the rotorcraft to automatically hover in place. However, helicopters are inherently less stable compared to airplanes, which restricts the ability of the autopilot system to completely control flight.

It should come as no surprise to aviation veterans that the helicopter presents some of flying’s greatest control challenges; just look at what it takes a human aviator to control one. Flying a helicopter requires the pilot to use three main control systems.

Thanks to the revolution in digital sensors and controls, today’s best helicopter flight control systems can match the abilities of the most-capable of autopilot systems. More...

Southeast Aerospace recently announced a new upgrade that will soon be available for the Hawker 800 and 1000 series aircraft via two new supplemental type certificates. A member of the AEA since 1991, SEA has partnered with Universal Avionics to offer the latest EFIS technology – the InSight Integrated Flight Deck.

The InSight upgrade will also include optional full datacom capability to meet requirements for FANS 1/A and CPDLC. Additionally, the Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics’ SAM MD302 is included as a replacement for the existing standby instruments. The new aircraft STC programs aim to bring value to the Hawker 800(A)(B)(XP) and 1000(A)(B) series aircraft through several significant new upgrades in the cockpit. More...

Congratulations to Chris Bergman of Columbia Air Services, who won a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Southeast Aerospace, for submitting the correct answer in this month's Mystery Make and Model challenge featured in the previous issue of AEA Wired. The unit is an Icarus SAM.

Avionics technicians can put their "inside" knowledge to work in the next issue of AEA Wired, so stay tuned for the next Mystery Make and Model challenge! All correct answers submitted throughout 2022 will be entered to win a random drawing for a $500 Visa gift card at the end of the year, also from Southeast Aerospace.

It’s been nearly 50 years since Bob Starr and his brother began servicing helicopters in a rented hangar on Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington. What was known as Cascade Airframe Repair back then has transformed into Cascade Helicopter Services, an FAA- and EASA-certified repair station with 24 employees. Today, experienced, factory-trained technicians specialize in avionics, airframe and engine services for business, private and medevac aircraft operators.

“We’ve known some of our customers for so long they feel like a part of the family,” said Costinel Anciu, logistics customer service representative, who has worked for Cascade for six years. More...

On Jan. 13, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration awarded $5 million in grants to develop a diverse talent pool of aviation maintenance technicians. The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants were awarded to organizations that will teach technical skills and prepare participants to pursue aviation maintenance careers.

“A career as an aviation maintenance technician opens a wide world of opportunity. These grants will allow us to reach and support individuals who may not had the chance to pursue this exciting career before,” FAA Deputy Administrator A. Bradley Mims said. 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...

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...

Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation (3 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 (16 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.

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (sold-out)

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.

Aircraft Instrument Systems (15 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.

Certified Repair Station Training (17 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.