The General Aviation Manufacturers Association played host to its annual State of the Industry Press Conference today and announced the 2020 year-end aircraft shipment and billing numbers for the global general and business aviation industry. According to GAMA, aircraft deliveries reached a value of $22.8 billion, a decrease compared to $27.8 billion in 2019.

The report also noted that airplane shipments in 2020, when compared to 2019, saw piston airplane deliveries decline 0.9%, with 1,312 units; turboprop airplane deliveries decline 15.6%, with 443 units; and business jet deliveries decline 20.4%, with 644 units. The value of airplane deliveries for 2020 was $20 billion, a decline of approximately 14.8%.

Preliminary civil-commercial turbine helicopter deliveries for 2020, when compared to 2019, saw a decline of approximately 16.9%, with 532 units; and piston helicopter deliveries saw a decline of 20.7%, with 142 units. As part of GAMA's announcement, the association included data from the AEA Avionics Market Report, which reported total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales exceeded $2.2 billion in 2020. More...

The Aircraft Electronics Association and the avionics industry is saddened by the passing of Michael (Mike) J. O’Leary, who died Feb. 14 at the age of 69 following complications from COVID-19. O’Leary worked for numerous AEA member companies during a distinguished career that spanned more than 50 years. He served on the AEA’s board of directors from 1996 to 2009 and was chairman from 2002 to 2009, making him the longest-serving chairman in the organization’s history. O’Leary also served as the board’s secretary and vice chairman during his tenure, and his leadership was instrumental in guiding the association’s move to its state-of-the-art international headquarters with a world-class training center in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. In 1998, he was named the AEA Member of the Year. O’Leary retired in June 2020 from Elliott Aviation. More...

In addition, Ron Hall, who retired from Duncan Aviation in 2007 and was named the AEA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 2011, passed away at the age of 79. He served on the AEA board of directors from 1980 through 1999. In 1985, he was named the recipient of the AEA Member of the Year Award. More...

Also, longtime industry professional, Hayden Clarke, passed away Feb. 17. He worked for several AEA member companies during his career, including Flight Data Systems, uAvionix, DFW Instrument Corp., DAC International and Trig Avionics. More...

Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, an AEA member company since 1981, introduced a first-of-its-kind custom function display. According to the company, the Flex MD23 Series features a customizable configuration (inputs and outputs), user interface and graphics, enabling it to function as a custom display, controller and data converter.

True to its name, the flexible 2-inch digital instrument can be customized to receive and display ARINC 429, analog, discrete, frequency, temperature, absolute and differential pressure data to meet the requirements of the pilot, engineer or mission. Flex offers the convenience of a certified commercial-off-the-shelf product with the custom flexibility of a build-your-own instrument.

“Flex should not be confused with a multifunction display; it is designed and certified to a much higher level,” according to Brett Williams, vice president of engineering. “Flex is a two-part solution: The base hardware and software are fixed, while the configuration and digital display are flexible. Each unit is customized through a unique code, specific to the application.” More...

Pro Star Aviation LLC was born in Paul Taylor’s house in New Hampshire in 1997 with offices in the basement and all the equipment needed to run an avionics repair shop in the garage.

The business started in a garage, as did many Silicon Valley startups. Taylor, Kevin Harriman and Bernd Munzenmayer had all worked together at an established avionics repair shop in New Hampshire. But that company had been taken over by a freight hauling company, and the three men thought the new management’s inexperience in corporate aviation was taking them down the wrong path.

Harriman is now the managing partner and leads the operations team at Pro Star in Londonderry, New Hampshire. He got his start as an avionics technician in the U.S. Air Force and worked at Lockheed California Company on the P-3 modification team before going to work for Stead Aviation in New Hampshire. Henry Laughlin also helped start Pro Star and is the majority owner. He owned another Part 145 repair station in 1988, and Pro Star initially worked under that repair station certificate. More...

Want to open an FAA-certified Part 145 repair station? Learn from the experts who recently did it from scratch. Cris Owens, accountable manager for Qmulus Aviation, along with the company’s owner, Sean Wilke, provide valuable insight on how they successfully opened a startup business in Caldwell, Idaho.

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. More...

Here we are in February, and most of us are trying to stay warm and healthy. One indoor activity enjoyed by many is amateur radio. Last fall, Thomas Inman made contact with a most unusual station. As a result, he learned about one of the lesser-known pioneers of radio, Father Jozef Murgaš.

The three-character call sign (K3M) was a clue there was something special about this station. A quick online search led to the Murgas Amateur Radio Club of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The station reached was created to commemorate the 115th anniversary of a frequency shift keyed transmission between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton over a distance of 19 miles. Of course, Murgaš didn’t call the transmission mode FSK, and it would be many years before engineers developed various forms of digital transmissions. Still, it could be said the priest was well ahead of his time. More...

At Ace Aviation near Seattle, Washington, the nose of a red and white Boeing 737 airliner looms overhead in the repair station’s three-story lobby. It’s an iconic nod to the aircraft Boeing builds just down the airfield at its manufacturing facility.

Kurt Boswell, an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization, founded Ace Aviation in 1996 at Clayton Scott Field. Five years ago, growing demand for aircraft maintenance and repairs, avionics installations, float conversions and interior refurbishments meant the service center needed more room. More...

A seasoned pilot, U.S. Marine and industry expert with two decades in aviation, Matt Harrah has translated his experience in the cockpit and in the military into helping aviation companies serve their customers and grow their businesses. It’s a challenging task considering the industry’s diverse markets and how quickly technology is evolving.

“The improvements in capability and safety in the past 20 years have been so rapid,” said Harrah, senior vice president of technology and products for Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics of Wichita, Kansas. “It has changed not only in the technology but what it means to pilots in terms of skill. Now, as a pilot you have to be able to manage systems in ways you didn’t in 1995. This includes more capable navigation systems and procedures and decision-making based on the myriad of data that is coming into the cockpit displays.” More...

The Federal Aviation Administration’s 43rd annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is now underway, reporting on calendar year 2020. 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.

The annual Avionics News Technical Training Exam is now available for avionics technicians. The exam may be taken online by Aircraft Electronics Association members or downloaded by non-members.

By completing the exam, which covers regulatory and technical topics featured in the 2020 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. More...

As the calendar turned to 2021, the Aircraft Electronics Association launched its new online training platform called AERO, short for the Aerospace Education Resource Online system. All previous online training from the AEA has been migrated to AERO and is available exclusively to AEA members at aea.net/aero with a member login and password.

AEA AERO will continue to add content to help members accomplish their training goals. The most recent addition is the entire library of the AEA’s SMS training. From Safety Coordinator to Employee Initial and Recurrent Training, AEA SMS Program participants can find everything in one convenient location online. Members with questions about the new AERO online training system may contact Aaron Ward directly at aaronw@aea.net. More...

The Aircraft Electronics Association recently moved the dates of its 64th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show to June 22-25, 2021. The event will take place at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.

All convention attendee registrations and exhibitor contracts previously transacted will be automatically moved to the new dates, and no further action is required. More...

With the dates of the AEA International Convention & Trade Show moving to June 22-25, attendees and exhibitors who made reservations at the Hilton Anatole in the AEA room block for mid-March should note that the hotel will close those reservations and refund deposits to the credit card used to make the reservation. This hotel policy is designed to help ensure the correct arrival and departure dates are secured for all attendees in June.

To make a reservation at the Hilton Anatole for the AEA Convention in June, click here.

For those avionics professionals interested in attending the AEA Convention in June and have not yet registered, the deadline for early-bird registrations has been extended from Dec. 31, 2020, until March 31, 2021. The early-bird discounted price of $675 (AEA member rate) for a full convention attendee registration offers a $180 per person savings off the on-site registration fee.

If you haven't already registered, you can take advantage of the early-bird rate by clicking here.

The Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation will award 23 scholarships totaling more than $100,000 for the 2021-22 school year to students pursuing a career in avionics or aircraft maintenance, as well as employees and dependents from AEA member companies.

Since its inception, the AEA scholarship program has awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships. Numerous awards are available, ranging from $1,000 to more than $35,000 each. Scholarship applications are available online, and the deadline to submit an application is April 1, 2021. More...

The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking applications for two Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs aimed at developing and inspiring a more inclusive pool of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians to join the next generation of aviation professionals.

The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants will help prepare a more inclusive talent pool of aviation maintenance technicians. The Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants provide money to expand the pilot workforce and educate students to become pilots, aerospace engineers or unmanned aircraft systems operators. Applicants from academia and the aviation community can submit applications through www.grants.gov through March 22.

Eligible organizations may apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 for any single grant per fiscal year. More...

The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand announced that the following information has been added to the agency's website. Online payments for licensing are now available:

According to the agency, website users may need to refresh the internet browser to see the latest version. If you have any questions, email info@caa.govt.nz.

This season marks the 75th for the Blue Angels, and the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron will celebrate the milestone with the unveiling of new jets for the team - the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The public debut performance is set to take place in Lakeland, Florida, at the 47th annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, April 13-18, 2021. The move to the Super Hornet will be the first time the team has changed aircraft since it transitioned from the A-4F Skyhawk II to the F/A-18 Hornet 35 years ago in 1986.

The Super Hornet, while visually similar to the “legacy” Hornet, is essentially a new aircraft. It is approximately 20% larger, 7,000 pounds heavier empty weight, and 15,000 pounds heavier maximum weight than the original airframe. The Super Hornet can carry 33% more internal fuel, increasing mission range by 41% and endurance by 50% over its predecessor. A unique design characteristic of the Super Hornet is that it can be equipped with an aerial refueling system or "buddy store" for the refueling of other aircraft, giving it another layer of versatility. More...

The AEA Pilot’s Guide is a consumer’s directory loaded with educational articles, timely information and data about the ever-changing world of avionics technologies. In addition to a complete directory of AEA-member government-certified repair stations, avionics manufacturers and distributors located in more than 40 countries, the publication features educational articles to help pilots and aircraft owners make better buying decisions. Individuals residing in the United States may request a free copy while supplies last.

In addition, the AEA introduced its Pilot's Guide Showcase, an all-new digital stage highlighting everything from features and functions of the latest avionics equipment to the installation and service available from AEA member repair stations. Located at PilotsGuideShowcase.net and specifically designed for avionics consumers such as general aviation pilots and aircraft owners, the digital platform features product demonstrations, how-to videos, select tutorials via recorded flight demonstrations and spotlights AEA's network of technology experts.

Congratulations to Cesar Camacho with Gulf Coast Avionics, 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 a KFS-578A.

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 2021 will be entered to win a random drawing for a $500 Visa gift card at the end of the year, also from Southeast Aerospace.

This virtual 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.

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.

Aircraft Maintenance Regulations (12 seats remain)

Understanding the regulations of the repair station is only part of the equation. Like pieces of a puzzle, each regulation is needed to fit together in order to fully view the repair station’s requirements. Understanding the regulatory relationship between the business (Part 145); the maintenance it performs (Part 43); the parts it uses (Part 21); as well as the needs of customers (Part 91) are essential to provide regulatory compliant services in aviation maintenance. This session will cover the basics of the maintenance and modification regulations, but more importantly, it focuses on their integrated relationship with the business.

Developing an Internal Audit Program for Repair Stations (9 seats remain)

Are you an EASA certified repair station? Did you know there is an internal audit requirement in your EASA supplement? Do you have foreign certifications that require an internal audit program? Is your FAA inspector asking you about an internal audit program during their surveillance? Do you want to enhance your basic quality control program with a proactive internal audit program? This course focuses on the basics of internal auditing and the development of an internal audit program, providing the tools and methods necessary to meet the international regulatory needs as well as the continuous improvement of the repair station.

Basic Wiring & Avionics Installation (10 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 (12 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 federal aviation regulation 91.411 and 91.413 checks.

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.

This virtual 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.

PFD Installation & Integration (New course: 15 seats remain)

This course is designed for technicians who have experience with avionics installation practices and are looking for more training integrating common general aviation installations. Technicians will learn how to plan, install, interface, configure and check out an installation consisting of a Garmin GTN 650 touch screen nav/com/GPS, Garmin GTX 345 transponder and dual Garmin GI 275 primary flight display.

Pitot-Static & Transponder Testing & Inspection with ADS-B Implementation (14 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. With so many questions surrounding ADS-B, this course will provide the answers and what you need to know.

IFR6000 & IFR4000 Operations (15 seats remain)

This course is designed to provide maintenance personnel with the knowledge and skills required to operate the IFR6000 to verify and maintain transponder, UAT, TCAS, and DME system and to operate the IFR4000 for ILS, VOR, COMMs and ELT.

Certified Repair Station Training (11 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.