Sponsored by Mid-Continent Instruments & Avionics
AEA Wired by Aircraft Electronics Association
May 11, 2016
Keeping the general aviation industry connected
The Current 
News from the general aviation industry
 
 
AEA Convention Highlights and New Product Introductions on YouTube
Complete coverage of the 2016 AEA International Convention & Trade Show is now available on the AEA's YouTube channel, courtesy of the production efforts by the Aero-News Network. Video highlights include the on-site presentations made by 30 companies that participated in the AEA's New Product Introductions session, which took place April 27 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Viewers also can watch the convention's opening address given by FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta. The playlist includes the welcome from David Loso, AEA chairman of the board of directors, along with the state of the association address from AEA President Paula Derks. Watch...


Silent Auction Raises more than $32,000 for Scholarship Program
A total of $32,515 was raised during the AEA Silent Auction at the 59th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show. The event benefited the AEA Educational Foundation's scholarship program, educational outreach initiatives and headquarters training programs. The auction took place April 28-29 in Orlando, Florida. This was the third-highest dollar amount raised in the 26-year history of the AEA Educational Foundation. More... 

Sponsored by TGH Aviation Instruments & Avionics Regulatory Update
All the latest from the international aviation authorities

 
The European Plan for Aviation Safety
Despite Europe's excellent aviation safety record, recent events remind us of the need to always remain vigilant and constantly search for system weaknesses before they can manifest in an accident. One of the best tools for this preventive approach is the European Plan for Aviation Safety. The EPAS seeks to further improve aviation safety throughout Europe. The plan looks at aviation safety in a systemic manner by analyzing data on accidents and incidents. It considers not only the direct reasons, but also the underlying or hidden causes behind an accident or incident. Moreover, the plan takes a longer term view into the future. More...


2015 General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey
The 38th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is now underway. It is the Federal Aviation Administration's primary source of information about the size and activity of the general aviation and on-demand Part 135 fleet. The survey is conducted on behalf of the FAA by Tetra Tech, an independent research firm, and all survey responses are confidential. Tetra Tech would like to hear from everyone who receives an invitation to complete the survey to prepare accurate statistics on aviation activity. The GA Survey is a scientific sample of aircraft from the Civil Aviation Registry. If you have questions, please contact Tetra Tech at 800-826-1797 or email [email protected]. To see survey results from previous years, click here.

Sponsored by Pacific Southwest Instruments On the Radar 
Upcoming AEA and industry events


EAA AirVenture: Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 25-31
For seven days from sunrise to well past sunset, Oshkosh is filled with dazzling displays of aerobatics, informative programs and hands-on workshops, diverse aircraft spanning all eras of flight, concerts and more. More...


AEA Latin America Connect Conference: Bogota, Colombia, August 25-26
The annual AEA Latin America Connect Conference is a two-day event that personally connects general aviation industry professionals. Formerly known as the AEA Regional Meetings, the AEA Connect conferences have grown beyond simply receiving regulatory updates and technical training via a classroom-style lecture -- attendees are now more engaged than ever in the educational environment with interactive discussions and analysis. More...

Garmin Ad for Wired The Connection
Meet the leaders in the general aviation industry


South African Avionics Shop Thrives Despite Challenges
At Rand Airport on the eastern outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa, Dart Aeronautical tends to thousands of avionics and instruments every year. Its six licensed aircraft maintenance engineers spend the warm, temperate days repairing and overhauling, recalibrating and recertifying various systems, including altimeters and airspeed indicators, temperature and pressure gauges, gyroscopes and autopilots. They also handle installations and create custom panels. Some 70 percent of the company's clients are private owner-operators, mostly from farming communities up to 500 kilometers away. Without Dart Aeronautical, many of the operators would be forced to fly into busy Lanseria International Airport for instrument repairs. More...

In the Classroom 
Professional development opportunities


New FAA Course -- Applying Systems Safety Principles to Product Certification: May 17-19 and Aug. 16-18
The intent of this three-day course is to focus on how systems engineers should apply concepts of system safety principles to the products they will certify. It will expand the approach systems engineers can take to build safety into the products they certify in the context of applying the rules and considering other safety-related factors that supplement FAA regulations. Attendees will include systems engineers, flight test pilots, propulsion engineers, and human factors engineers in headquarters, directorates, and COs. It is offered two times in Oklahoma City with limited seating available to industry. Contact Madeline Kettler at 405-954-7890 for registration information. More... 


Register Now Button Certified Repair Station Training Course: May 16-20
A weeklong course divided into training modules designed for startup repair stations as well as mature operations looking to improve their understanding of the regulations, perform internal audits and edit repair stations manuals. Who should attend? 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. More... 


Register Now Button Avionics Installation for Experimental Aircraft Training Course: June 1-3
Presented by Pahan Ranasingha of Avionics Installations, this course is designed for the aircraft technician or homebuilder who is looking for guidance in completing an installation on an experimental aircraft with the popular Garmin G3X Touch large-format flight display system. From the do-it-yourselfer to the avionics shop looking to carve a niche in this ever-expanding market, this class has something for everyone. More...

The Static
News from AEA member companies

 
GULF COAST AVIONICS entered into a joint venture program to be the exclusive avionics sales and engineering support provider for AviaZi�n Group -- Panama. 

UNIVERSAL AVIONICS SYSTEMS CORP. was selected by the U.S. Army to provide the avionics for the design and development of the Army's next generation reconnaissance aircraft. STC'd installations are now underway at Aerovation's Tucson, Arizona, modification facility. In addition, Universal Avionics is offering a Satellite-Based Augmentation System-Flight Management System upgrade incentive program for Learjet 40/45/40XR/45XR and Citation Excel/XLS aircraft operators. The company's Field Service Engineering team also is offering complimentary FMS and UniLink UL-800/801 Communications Management Unit Integration and Installation Training to its authorized dealer and integrator network. More training options for Universal Avionics authorized dealers and integrators are now available with the addition of online familiarization modules to the UniNet Online Service Center.

DALLAS AVIONICS announced exclusive distributorship of the NavWorx ADS600-B that meets all of the FAA ADS-B requirements. 

EDMO DISTRIBUTORS named MICHAEL SCHMIDT vice president of sales and marketing. He also will take the lead in vendor relationship management and business development. 

SABRELINER AVIATION and Innova Aerospace launched MyCytation560.com dedicated to outlining current and future modernizations and enhanced performance programs specifically designed for the Citation 560 series aircraft. 

EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY's Daytona Beach Campus has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

ACR ARTEX's suite of ARTEX emergency locator transmitters received Industry Canada approval. 

APPAREO announced that the experimental version of Stratus ESG, an all-in-one, panel-mounted ADS-B Out transponder, is now shipping. Product is currently available through the company's network of avionics installers. 

AVIATION SPECIALTIES UNLIMITED announced that the company's new Ecliptus product is now available on GSA. 

COMLUX AMERICA recently celebrated the expansion of its VIP completion hangar, which now has the capability to house wide-body and narrow-body aircraft simultaneously. 

ROBOTIC SKIES announced that Spectral Sky selected the company to provide maintenance worldwide for its unmanned aircraft systems products. In addition, Robotic Skies said that DPI UAV Systems selected the company as its global field maintenance provider for DPI's unmanned aircraft vehicles.

FLIGHTSTAR CORP. announced the completion of a second option for its ADS-B Out STC. This option for the Learjet 40 and 45 covers GPS pairing with UNS-1Ew installations. 

WAAS AVIONICS completed the first Canadian installation of the Garmin G950 Integrated Flight Deck in a Beech 1900D using a PMA installation kit from AMI Aviation Services. 

ROCKWELL COLLINS recently approved DUNCAN AVIATION as an authorized service provider for repair, service and modification of its TDR-94 and TDR-94D transponders. 

DUNCAN AVIATION recently completed an STC, which will upgrade existing Honeywell Primus radios in Hawker 800/800XP aircraft so they're ADS-B Out compliant. 

JET AVIATION ST. LOUIS signed its first agreement to install Honeywell's JetWave satellite communications terminals in a Global Express to upgrade the in-flight Internet experience. The company also signed its 35th 120-month inspection for Globals.

CONSTANT AVIATION named DAN DAVENPORT as the south central regional sales manager. In addition, the company secured the Global Express Wi-Fi STC. 

SPIRIT AERONAUTICS named PETRE LILIAC as an aircraft maintenance lead technician. 

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY POLYTECHNIC CAMPUS introduced Fly K-State Academy, a three-day program, June 27-29, for high school students entering their freshman through senior year who dream about a future in aviation. 

ESTERLINE appointed MICHEL POTVIN president of its Avionics Systems business group. 

FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL said that BRUCE WHITMAN, chairman, president and CEO, received the M�daille de l'A�ronautique from France. 

BLUE AVIONICS teamed with Universal Avionics to offer TAWS Mode 5 alerting for LPV approach. 

JEPPESEN entered into an agreement with BridgeNet International, a provider of airspace management and technology solutions. Jeppesen will provide its Total Airspace and Airport Modeler software to supplement BridgeNet's visualization and simulation technology used in complex airspace operations and airport environments. 

SANDEL AVIONICS announced that Western Aircraft, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, will join the certified Avilon dealer family for King Airs. 

ALTO AVIATION unveiled its new Cabin Audio Amplifier ALTO Acapella DZ-290, the company's new qualified and FAA-approved solution specifically engineered as a solution for cabin audio upgrade, to update new or legacy systems with outstanding sound. 

AVIONICA announced that Brazil has approved the avCM 3G and 4G cellular modules, which are compatible with Avionica's line of miniature quick-access recorders (miniQAR). In addition, Avionica announced that Dubai-based flydubai has selected a suite of communications avionics that comprises Avionica's second-generation satellite communications system satLINK MAX, the integral miniature quick-access recorder (miniQAR), the 4G avCM module for wireless communications, the gatelink terminal Wi-Fi communications system, and the aviONS onboard server platform, with an integrated cabin Wi-Fi hotspot, for 11 Next-Generation Boeing 737 aircraft. 

TRUE BLUE POWER unveiled the TA202 Series High Power USB Charging Port, the latest addition to the company's popular line of USB chargers. The company also introduced its new TC120 (DC-to-DC) and TC280 (AC-to-DC) converters.

OUTERLINK announced FAA STC approval of its fully integrated IRIS voice, video, flight data and broadband satcom system in the Bell model 206L and 407 series helicopters. 

SATCOM DIRECT introduced new Wi-Fi Hub, calling it the best stand-alone connectivity solution for small to mid-size aircraft and the perfect enhancement to the Satcom Direct Router for larger aircraft. 

CMD FLIGHT SOLUTIONS announced FAA approval on the addition of a third Collins TDR-94/94D Transponder and GPS pairing. CMD joined forces with AVMATS and FreeFlight Systems to add the FreeFlight Systems 1203C as an approved GPS pairing. 

THOMAS GLOBAL SYSTEMS is celebrating 60 years of innovation in aviation and defense electronics. 

FREEFLIGHT SYSTEMS announced that Nebraska-based Trego�-Dugan Aviation has received AML STC approval for installation of a FreeFlight 1201 WAAS/GPS sensor and Garmin GTX330ES Mode S transponder in 460-plus aircraft. In addition, FreeFlight announced that global aerospace, defense and transportation company Finmeccanica has selected the FreeFlight RA-�4500 radar altimeter as standard equipment for AW119 single�-turbine light helicopters. 

ASPEN AVIONICS received a supplemental type certificate for installation of its Evolution Backup Display. 

GOGO BUSINESS AVIATION successfully completed the initial phase of flight testing for its Gogo Biz 4G service, marking a significant milestone in the company's development of a new generation of connectivity and enhanced capabilities for business aviation. 

VECTOR AEROSPACE announce that its Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada facility is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It has been providing engine MRO services since 1991. 

ELLIOTT AVIATION announced its STC certification on an ADS-B In and Out solution for the 2002 and newer, Pro Line 21-equipped Hawker 750, 800XP, 850XP and 900XP. 

MCMURDO announced a new 10-year standard warranty on its Kannad Integra Emergency Locator Transmitters. 

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. received approval from the FAA to offer a synthetic vision upgrade to GIV-SP aircraft equipped with PlaneDeck. 

PENTASTAR AVIATION partnered with SMARTSKY NETWORKS to develop supplemental type certificates for Gulfstream G450 and G550 aircraft. 

AVMAX said its engineering division has created ADS-B Out solutions for Dash 8 and CRJ aircraft. The solutions are Part 25 STCs for Dash 8-100/200/300 and CRJ 100/200/700/900; both aircraft types are approved by Transport Canada Civil Aviation Administration and the FAA, with the EASA approval pending. In addition, Avmax recently acquired three CRJ-200 aircraft msn 7114, 7128 and 7391 from Bombardier Capital Inc. The three aircraft were formerly operated by UTair. It also purchased one Bombardier Challenger 850 msn 8085 from Agger Air Limited, Bermuda. 

As of 3-9-2016 Mystery Make & Model
Guess the make and model -- enter for chance to win $100 Visa gift card


Click to enlarge
Congratulations to Jim L. Katopodis II of BizJet International in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who won a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Southeast Aerospace, for knowing the correct product make and model featured in the previous issue of AEA Wired.

The correct answer was a computer amplifier CA-520B from Aircraft Radio Corp.

Avionics technicians can put their "inside" knowledge to work in the next issue of AEA Wired. Stay tuned for the next Mystery Make & Model challenge!
 

Sponsored by AVWeb GA Caucus

Industry advocates on Capitol Hill

 


In 2009, General Aviation Caucuses were formed in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate to inform congressional members and staff about the importance of general aviation to the nation's economy and transportation system. Today, the House GA Caucus has grown to become one of the largest caucuses in the House of Representatives. A listing of current House and Senate GA Caucus members is available on the AEA website. More... 

 

Aircraft Electronics Association
About the AEA
Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in 43 countries, including government-certified international repair stations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions. 


Contact:
Aircraft Electronics Association
3570 NE Ralph Powell Road
Lee's Summit, MO 64064
Phone: 816-347-8400
Fax: 816-347-8405
Email: [email protected]
Web: aea.net 
Advertising:
Lauren McFarland, director of marketing
Phone: 816-347-8400
Email: [email protected]

The "AEA Wired" e-newsletter is published twice a month by the AEA.