The avionics industry will gather at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, Oct. 27-28, for regulatory and technical training from leading avionics, instrument and test equipment manufacturers. Avionics technicians will learn about new products, their application, certification and installation, and have the opportunity to Connect with their regional sales and product support representatives.

From selling to installation, configuration and certification testing, the AEA Connect Conferences are where aviation's technology experts gather to answer questions. See the complete schedule for more information, a list of exhibiting companies, along with a list of major OEMs and their technical training topics. 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. More than a dozen new courses that took place at this year's AEA Convention in Dallas are now available, including OEM technical sessions, Pitot-Static and Transponder Certification training, Electrical Load Analysis, and Marketing Beyond the Runway. Convention attendees may access the sessions recorded at AEA Dallas for free, and those AEA members who could not attend the convention may purchase them.

Training content is exclusive to AEA members at aea.net/aero with a member login and password. AEA AERO will continue to add and update content to help members accomplish their training goals. Members with questions about the new AERO online training system may contact Aaron Ward directly at aaronw@aea.net. More...

Congratulations to Arnold Hill of Des Moines Flying Service, 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 Garmin GPS 100.

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.

Some electric vertical takeoff and landing manufacturers are aiming for aircraft certification in 2023 with commercial operations launches planned for 2024. These manufacturers and future operators make up part of the advanced air mobility or urban air mobility movement.

Aircraft certification and regulator authorization for commercial operations are just part of the story, though. Manufacturers and future operators must also plan for ground infrastructure, including charging, line service and training, passenger handling, and even aircraft rescue and firefighting.

These considerations are not new, nor do they come as surprises to original equipment manufacturers and future operators. In fact, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology report from 1970 highlighted ground infrastructure needs for VTOL in “intercity air transportation.” More...

Based in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, SKYTRAC Systems has been a full-service data-driven solutions provider for private, business, commercial, and military aviation since 1986. Today, its systems are certified on more than 900 airframes with over 7,500 users around the globe. From performance trending and operations reporting to real-time asset tracking and situational awareness – SKYTRAC offers a one-stop response to meeting the needs of its customers.

Company executive Ray Larkin has the latest scoop on what’s next for SKYTRAC in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company. Listen...

Not only are electric aircraft starting to fly, but many current aircraft have replaced pneumatic and hydraulic systems with electric systems, thus saving engine power for thrust, which yields better fuel efficiency. Once in the field, technicians may encounter electric motors with cooling systems such as one type with circulating oil for lubrication and cooling.

Those of us teaching avionics and aviation maintenance need to ask ourselves whether or not we are teaching students enough about batteries, generators, alternators, inverters and motors. Traditionally, those in an airframe and powerplant curriculum would learn about the list above. Most A&P curriculums devote the time available for battery subjects to lead acid and nicad batteries. Few, if any, programs devote a significant amount of time to lithium polymer, lithium iron phosphate, or lithium-ion batteries. A&P students are reluctant learners of most things electrical. The result is A&P mechanics learn about the systems used on electric aircraft in the field. More...

The latest numbers came in just after Labor Day, and signs indicate that business aviation started to rebound from the impact of the novel coronavirus back in the summer, while airlines continued to struggle with lower enplanements and regulatory restrictions on international operations.

To paraphrase several business aviation leaders, the use of private aircraft started rebounding from a low of 9,102 flights a day in April 2020, about the same time the commercial carriers hit their global low of 54,022 flights par day on average.

But commercial carriers remain well short of 2020 averages of about 100,000 flights per day, while business aviation surpassed its nominal average – a global high of 12,287 flights per day in August 2021 – and continues to average about 13,000 flights per day, according to the flight-tracking service FlightAware. More...

In just five years, Circle Air Group has found its niche keeping businesses flying in Southern California. Entertainment executives, winery owners and farmers as well as convention guests and tourists attending concerts and popular events rely on the Federal Aviation Administration Part 145 repair station to maintain their Beechcraft King Airs and business jets so they can be on time for their next meeting, grand opening or gala.

“We have a mix of customers, from small businesses to large corporate operators and quite a few farmers,” said Clint Wilson, who serves as director of maintenance for the Gillespie Field repair station. “With farms in Mexico, throughout California and some in Arizona, they use airplanes as utility vehicles to travel between them. We also have businesses that fly between here and the wineries in Napa Valley.

“Being this close to Mexico, we also see a lot of people flying into Cabo San Lucas and Baja California for vacation. Also, a lot of people go to Vegas from here because the flight isn’t that long.” 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...

It’s rare for an employee, especially a skilled one in a competitive industry, to stay in one place, loyal to one company for an entire career. Randy Morelock is proud of his contributions to the growth and success of Eagle Creek Aviation, an FAA-certified repair station in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he started working more than 23 years ago.

After serving five years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an avionics technician for the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Morelock joined Eagle Creek Aviation in 1998. Since those early days as an avionics technician, he has served as director of avionics as well as project manager overseeing mostly long-term projects. More...

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. Scholarship applications are available at aea.net/scholarship.

It has been four years since the European Union Aviation Safety Agency established the eRules project, addressing the lack of a single, integrated source of aviation rules. One of the outputs of the project are Easy Access Rules presenting the aviation rules in a consolidated, transparent, and user-friendly manner.

Having gained some experience, EASA considers it important to evaluate the usefulness of Easy Access Rules and check if they have played a role in increasing work efficiency. EASA welcomes the actual end-users of Easy Access Rules as respondents. The survey may be completed by more than one representative of a stakeholder (e.g. several representatives of an organisation or association).

Click here to access the survey on Easy Access Rules. Please note that completing it should take no more than 10 minutes. The survey is open until 3 November 2021. More...

Save the date for the annual AEA Europe Connect Conference, which takes place Nov. 17-18 at the Hyatt Regency Cologne in Cologne, Germany.

Reserve your hotel room by Oct. 18. From the AEA website, you will find a link to make a reservation. After you select the hotel reservation link, click the "book now" button and enter your arrival and departure dates, which must be between November 16 and November 19. If you require a room before November 16 or a departure after November 19, contact the hotel directly to make your reservation. More...

Registration has opened 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 platform of choice 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 Dec. 31, 2021, to receive the early-bird discount price of $695 (AEA member rate) for a full convention registration. The early-bird promotion offers a $180 per person savings off the on-site registration fee. 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 Men's Basketball Final Four 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. More...

Published annually by the Aircraft Electronics Association, the 2021-22 edition of the AEA Pilot's Guide was recently unveiled. This year marks the 19th 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...

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 inflight 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.

Basic Wiring & 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 (5 seats remain)

This course is designed for entry-level avionics technicians or those looking for basic training on pitot-static and aircraft transponder systems. This 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.

Primary Flight Display Installation & Configuration (15 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 (15 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 upon course completion.

Transponder Service Training (14 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 upon course completion.

Nav/Comm Equipment Service Training (14 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, and ADS-B: Testing & Inspection (17 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.

Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft (14 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.

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.