Amid signs that avionics shops are busier than they have been in nearly a decade, the 58thAircraft Electronics Association convention opens this week in Dallas with a sold-out hall and record pre-registrations. “Since the beginning of 2015, it seems like general aviation, especially the electronics industry, has really been picking up some steam,” says Paula Derks, president of AEA.
“The mood is more positive. People seem to be busier, the repair stations are busier. Our advance registration is way up and our exhibit hall has been sold out for a month,” she added. AEA expects 33 new product announcements at the convention, a record, and while we don’t yet know what the products are, it’s a sure bet that some of them will be in the ADS-B segment, despite a growing glut of choices. Connectivity and cabin entertainment systems are also a hot market area, particularly for Part 25 aircraft plying the business market. Perhaps sensing rising demand, manufacturers are stepping in with 95 hours of specialized training aimed at supporting their products, another robust year for this activity. Derks says the product mix is likely to be all over the map.
Sure to be on the agenda at AEA is discussion about ADS-B market penetration, installation costs and above all, a lack of clarity for buyers seeking to install these systems. We count nearly three dozen choices, with more appearing every month. “What we’re really promoting to our repair station members is that they really need to know the products so that they can educate their customers, the pilots, who are coming in looking for answers on what they need to install,” Derks says.
When asked if AEA expects the ADS-B mandate to be pushed back, Derks told AVweb that the FAA remains adamant that it will not be, despite the fact that every such mandated program in the past—Mode-C transponders, ELTs, TAWs and RVSM—were given implementation extensions.
In addition to new product intros, AEA offers extensive technical and regulatory training to attendees and the convention’s opening speech will be given by Michael Whitaker, the FAA deputy administrator heading up the agency’s NextGen program. AVweb will have full coverage of the convention beginning Wednesday. You can hear a podcast interview with Paula Derks here.
