Story ID: 
AEA Invites Start-ups to Tech Incubator
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: The AEA's Technology Incubator is designed to help foster communication between the FAA and start-up companies serving the certified aviation market.
Word Count: 215
The Aircraft Electronics Association is holding a one-day AEA Technology Incubator event on August 16 to help start-up companies learn how to “navigate the complex world of aviation regulations.”

AEA has for many years helped new-technology companies learn how to work with the FAA to meet regulatory requirements for making aircraft parts. But this assistance has been as-needed, and the association developed the incubator as a more structured event to help these nascent vendors.

Only startup companies are invited to the incubator, and companies must not already hold an FAA-production approval, although they may hold a non-required safety-enhancing equipment (NORSEE) approval. The incubator’s goal is to help startup companies “demystify the path forward to producing parts for certified aircraft with a focus on producing these parts under FAA oversight.” Subjects covered will include understanding the FAA regulatory structure and Part 23 and production regulations, guidance, and policies.

“The best and most successful way to demystify anything in aviation is to open the path for communication,” AEA said, and thus the incubator will bring together attendees, AEA staff, and FAA personnel.

The incubator is being held at the AEA’s Lee’s Summit, Missouri headquarters. A maximum of two participants from each company is invited to participate.