DALLAS — More than 1,500 avionics manufacturers, repair stations, installers and other general aviation professionals have converged at the 58th annual Aircraft Electronics Association International Convention & Trade Show, which opened today at the Gaylord Texan Convention Center in Grapevine (Dallas), Texas.
The four-day event, which goes until April 11, is the largest gathering of avionics manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations in the world.
The event’s primary focus is providing avionics professionals with educational and marketing opportunities between equipment manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations.
Highlights of this year’s convention include:
- Opening address from FAA Deputy Administrator and Chief NextGen Offier Michael Whitaker;
- More than 30 companies will participate in the AEA New Product Introductions session;
- The 2014 year-end AEA Avionics Market Report will be unveiled April 9;
- More than 75 hours of regulatory, technical and business management training and professional development, all approved for credit toward the AEA’s Avionics Training Excellence Award, as well as accepted for FAA IA renewal and the AMT Awards Program;
- Presentation of the AEA Lifetime Achievement Award to Gary Kelley, a retired Garmin executive;
- Recognition of the 2015 AEA Member of the Year Award recipient;
- Recognition of the 2015 AEA Associate Member of the Year Award recipient;
- Free Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certification and endorsement exams to convention attendees, courtesy of the AEA Educational Foundation and its partnership with the National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies (NCATT) and ASTM International. Attendees may test their knowledge in achieving the NCATT’s highly regarded avionics technician certification, and this $100 value is only available through the AEA at the convention.
Several events will be streamed live on the AEA website, including the Opening Session, New Product Introductions and live Exhibit Hall coverage.