The deadline to register in advance and save $100 for the 67th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show is Friday, March 1. Join industry professionals at the largest gathering of aircraft 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 2024. The event will take place March 19-22, at Marriott's Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.

The attendee full registration package includes: four days of technical training sessions; exhibit hall entrance for two full days with lunch; and networking at the first-nighter event with manufacturers and distributors. Daily registration options are available for those who cannot attend the entire show. Register...

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association recently unveiled its 2023 General Aviation Aircraft Shipments and Billings Report during its annual State of the Industry Press Conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. According to GAMA, when compared to 2022, all aircraft segments saw increases in shipments, and preliminary aircraft deliveries were valued at $27.8 billion, an increase of 3.6%.

“For the first time in more than a decade, the general aviation manufacturing industry has eclipsed 4,000 aircraft delivered," said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. "In addition to this strong showing, there are robust and growing order backlogs for all segments of aircraft. This is a testament to the resilience of our industry and the integral role that general and business aviation plays in our communities." More...

On Monday, Helicopter Association International announced it will change its name to Vertical Aviation International. According to a joint statement from HAI Chair Nicole Battjes and President James Viola, "The decision to rebrand was unanimously endorsed by your dedicated board of directors as part of a comprehensive long-term strategic plan approved 18 months ago. The rebranding process has been methodical, including meticulous research, member outreach, workshops, and interviews.

"This transformation encompasses more than just a name change. We are evolving into Vertical Aviation International, complete with a fresh logo, vibrant colors, and a revamped annual conference and trade show, VERTICON.

"While our name and appearance have evolved, the most important change is our expanded focus: we support all aircraft capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing—and yes, that absolutely includes helicopters. Those aircraft complete missions that no other aircraft can accomplish, and we are proud to represent them." More...

The Australian government's Civil Aviation Safety Authority is offering three scholarships to help aircraft maintenance engineers earn their licence. The scholarships encourage aspiring engineers to pursue a career in aviation maintenance and engineering.

Scholarships are open to anyone who meets the criteria. Each scholarship is valued at $5,000 (plus GST). Applications for 2024 will be open until 3 March. More...

Ryan Hawk, who will give the keynote address at the 2024 AEA Convention in Dallas, is the host of The Learning Leader Show and has recorded more than 500 podcast episodes over the past eight years. Hawk worked in corporate America for 12 years, starting as an entry-level telephonic sales rep and worked his way to manager, director, and ultimately vice president of sales for a multibillion-dollar company.

When he’s not recording podcasts or writing books, Hawk helps leaders be more effective. Learn more about Ryan Hawk in this episode of AEA Amplified. Listen...

All AEA Convention attendees and exhibitors are invited to the First-Nighter Event on Tuesday, March 19. Join us from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Glass Cactus, adjacent to the Gaylord Texan, for "Moonshine and Mustangs." Enjoy drinks, food and live music.

Check in at the AEA registration desk located at the Gaylord Texan's Tate Ballroom Foyer in the Vineyard Tower before it closes at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, as your convention badge is required for entry. More...

On Feb. 20, the Federal Aviation Administration released a final rule to reduce carbon pollution emitted by most large airplanes flying in U.S. airspace. The rule requires incorporating improved fuel-efficient technologies for airplanes manufactured after Jan. 1, 2028, and for subsonic jet airplanes and large turboprop and propeller airplanes that are not yet certified.

Examples of commercial airplanes that will be required to meet the standards include the Boeing 777-X and newly built versions of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner; the Airbus A330-neo; business jets such as the Cessna Citation; and civil turboprop airplanes such as the ATR 72 and the Viking Air Limited Q400. The rule does not apply to airplanes currently in service. Civil aircraft such as these are responsible for 9% of domestic transportation emissions and 2% of total U.S. carbon pollution. More...

Backcountry flying offers light aircraft pilots and passengers who typically fly low and slow an opportunity to witness natural vistas often missed by people aboard more sophisticated aircraft operating at much higher altitudes. Higher-performance aircraft, of course, are usually equipped with hi-tech avionics that can enhance the safety margin for the aircraft and the people aboard.

Headquartered in Yakima, Washington, and an AEA member company since 2022, CubCrafters recently announced it is helping to fill that gap between the low-and-slow crowd and those high-performance aircraft with a new thermal imaging option to Garmin’s venerable G3X synthetic vision system. The new infrared system was developed in collaboration with Hood Tech Aero specifically for CubCrafters and the backcountry pilots who love these aircraft. More...

Talk to any professional recruiter, and they will tell you there’s a big difference between a job and a career. A job is something you do. A career is something you strive to excel at. That’s the primary difference between your typical aviation job website and the AEA’s recently introducedAeroCareers.net career portal. Built by aviation and avionics industry professionals and powered by the AEA, the new site offers a spotlight on career paths throughout aviation with direct links to jobs, scholarships, aviation schools, veteran resources, information for educators, salary data, and more – a whole lot more.

“We’ve created an awareness tool to showcase all of the opportunities that are not only in the avionics career field but throughout aviation today,” explained Nick Brown, AEA’s director of workforce development. “But it goes well beyond jobs; it’s been created to introduce educators, school career guidance counselors, students, and parents to all the opportunities aviation and aerospace have to offer." More...

Harv’s Air, a family-owned air services business near Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, trains pilots from around the world, helping them earn their licenses, ratings and endorsements and brush up on skills with recurrent training. The company operates one of the largest fleets of training aircraft in the country along with on-demand charter, an extensive online training program and an in-house Transport Canada approved maintenance organization.

“We have a virtual line around the building for training. About 75% or more of our students are international – from Europe, India, China and other places,” said director of maintenance and aircraft maintenance engineer Dale Siemens, who has been with Harv’s Air for 20 years.

The company offers training and AMO capabilities at two bases – a private airfield in Steinbach and a busy, tower-controlled reliever airport at St. Andrews. Nearly a dozen aircraft maintenance engineers and technicians play a vital role in keeping the active 48 training aircraft ready to fly. Each aircraft logs about 50 hours in the sky every two-and-a-half weeks, according to Siemens. More...

For individuals interested in pursuing professional opportunities in the avionics industry, the AEA jobs board is your one-stop resource. Search the AEA's job listings and see what's on your horizon. Free resume posting is available for job-seekers.

Here's a brief sampling of some of the outstanding opportunities currently listed:

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 2023 issues of Avionics News, technicians can get a head start on their FAA-accepted training. Individuals who pass the exam receive credit toward their repair station training program requirements, IA renewal, 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. Take the test...

The AEA Educational Foundation will award multiple scholarships for the 2024-25 school year to students pursuing a career in aviation electronics 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, 2024. More...

MarketLift, an aviation marketing company specializing in communications and media relations, offers AEA members special rates on services, including press releases, sales presentations, e-newsletters as well as custom packages. AEA members can save 15% and more on MarketLift’s services.

To learn more with your member login and password, click here.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s 46th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is now underway, reporting on calendar year 2023. 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.

Aircraft Instrument Systems (10 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. Register Now...

Digital Databus Theory and Analysis (12 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. Register Now...

Safety Management System Coordinator Training (12 seats remain)

Risk management is a vital element of any successful business. Whether driven by best practices or responding to a regulatory requirement, the AEA has your solution. Leveraged by the 900-strong repair station membership, the AEA developed a proprietary SMS program designed specifically for maintenance organizations. This program is currently used on every continent. The AEA has been coordinating 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. Register Now...

AET Prep Course and Exam (13 seats remain)

This is a hybrid virtual-live class for aviation technicians who want to earn their NCATT AET certification. Students who register in advance will have access to online modules to self-study the AET coursework before attending the one-day virtual-live class. The online modules take approximately two weeks to complete. After the course, students will be fully prepared to take the AET certification exam. The $175 value for the exam is included in the course registration. Upon registration, instructions to access the AET Prep online modules will be emailed to the attendee. Register Now...

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. Learn More...

AVX-10K & IFR6000/4000 Operations Training (10 seats remain)

This course is designed to provide maintenance personnel with the knowledge and skills required to operate and configure IFR6000 and IFR4000 to verify and maintain transponder, UAT, TCAS, DME, ILS, VOR, Comms and ELT. Plus a complete review of all features and benefits of the AVX-10K Flight Line Test Set with emphasis on testing transponder (Mode S and ADS-B In/Out), UAT, TCAS and DME. Register Now...

Basic Pitot-Static & Transponder Theory, Testing & Troubleshooting (9 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. Register Now...

ADS-B Configuration, Testing and Troubleshooting (15 seats remain)

This course is designed for currently employed repair station personnel and installers of ADS-B systems. Approximately 4.8% 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. Register Now...

Certified Repair Station Training (7 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 plan to attend. Register Now...

The sky is not the limit in aerospace. If you are ready to reach a higher altitude, visit this one-stop resource that was built by industry professionals and powered by the AEA. The site offers a spotlight on career paths in aviation and includes links to jobs, scholarships, aviation schools, veterans’ resources, information for educators, salary data and more. From the hangar floor to low-earth orbit, opportunities abound. 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.

Published annually, the 2023-24 edition of the AEA Pilot’s Guide is available upon request.

This year marks the 21st annual edition of the publication, 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 approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics equipment in general aviation aircraft. It also includes the manufacturers and distributors of these products, as well as technical schools and universities, delegated engineering firms, and consultants for the industry. Individuals residing in the United States may request a free copy while supplies last. Get the Guide...

Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of aircraft electronics systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of aircraft electronics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.