This week at the 64th Annual Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) Convention & Trade Show in Dallas, the mood was positive, attendee numbers were relatively high, and exhibitors were excited about opportunities to serve avionics dealers and their customers. After canceling last year’s show due to the Covid pandemic, AEA delayed this year’s in-person event to June from the normal March timeframe.
According to AEA, the show saw “nearly 1,500 avionics manufacturers, repair stations, installers, and other general aviation professionals” attend the four-day event. Most were from the U.S. because of international travel restrictions. With avionics shops seeing record growth and high demand for upgrades to the latest products, a key topic of discussion on the exhibit floor was the personnel shortage.
Thirty-four companies highlighted new products on the first day of the convention, and more than 120 companies filled the exhibit hall. AEA members delivered more than 100 hours of regulatory, technical, and business management training and professional development courses. Attendees were also invited to take Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certification and endorsement examinations at no charge, thanks to the AEA Educational Foundation and ASTM International's National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies.
Duncan Aviation components/OEM business development manager Kevin Miesbach was named the AEA Member of the Year and EDMO Distributors the AEA Associate Member of the Year.