Avionics News December 2012 - 13

2012 Rate and Labor Survey Results Available to AEA Members
AEA Members Optimistic for Increased Business Growth in 2012
In comparing this year’s annual survey results with the last three years of AEA Rate & Labor Survey data, Aircraft Electronics Association members have a more positive business outlook, as negative growth expectations are leveling off and improved numbers for increased growth are emerging. Of those repair stations responding to this year’s survey, 56 percent said they expect their business to increase this year compared to 49 percent in 2011. In addition, only 6 percent expect a decrease in business compared to the 15 percent that expected a decrease in 2009 and 8 percent in 2010. Business growth is expected in installations, modifications, upgrades and completions specifically with glass cockpits, ADS-B and Wi-Fi products. Consistent with the rest of the aviation industry, AEA members also are seeing an increase in rotorcraft activity. The number of shops reporting rotorcraft as a type of aircraft maintained jumped 14 percent from the previous year. “It’s clear the rotorcraft market is building momentum and attracting new and innovative products from avionics manufacturers,” said Mike Adamson, AEA vice president of member programs and education. “With the AEA’s focus on improving the certification of avionics equipment in rotorcraft, it is possible that we will see even greater growth in the years to come.” According to the survey, employee wages are climbing and driving repair shop rates higher, and the trend is expected to continue. “The largest increases in wages appear to be on the East Coast and West Coast of the U.S.,” Adamson said. “The Midwest shows only a slight increase in repair shop and labor rates.” This annual survey, which is distributed to AEA members at no charge as one of their membership benefits, examines and compares shop and labor rates by national and international regions. It also shows employee benefit/compensation

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RATE & LA
A N D LA B O R R AT ES

SURVE

BOR
Y

AV ER A G

E SH O P

Bench $17.26 Top Install $29.09 $15 Instrum ent $18 .98 $25.09 .44 $29 .88

LABOR

Service $ 9 Install 5.94 $ 9 Engineer 0.17 Instrum ing $ 107. 81 ent $ 97.2 2

SHOP RATES

WEST U.S.

Start

Bench Install Instrum ent

LABOR

Service $86 Install .93 $81 Engineer .19 Instrum ing $89.30 ent $88.50

SHOP RATES

CENTRAL

U.S.
Service $88 Install .08 $85 Engineer .71 ing $98.11 Instrum ent $99.82 $16.74 $16.16 $27.36 $15.14 $26.41 $26.32

SHOP RATES

EAST U.S.

$16.44 $15.23 $26.51 $17.06 $24.65 $27.15

Start

Top

Bench Install Instrum ent

LABOR

Start

Top

Bench Install Instrum ent

LABOR

Service nadian $) $ 9 Install 5.63 $ 9 Engineer 5.03 Instrum ing $117.9 ent 1 $ 98.1 0
(Ca

SHOP RATES

CANADA

$18.66 $18.05 $33.05 $20.60 $33.24 $33.80

Start

Top

3570 N

Bench Install Instrum ent

LABOR

Service stralian $) $ 9 Install 7.72 $ 9 Engineer 3.86 ing $106.6 Instrum 7 ent $ 98.6 5
(Au

SHOP RATES

SOUTH PA

CIFIC

E Ralp

h Powell

$23.33 $22.70 $35.48 $23.33 $38.79 $36.17 *Rates are per hour

Start

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package information, a profile of technician experience, regional employment demand and a business outlook perspective. The quick-glance layout allows repair shop owners and managers to easily compare their businesses to others in their regions of operation. AEA members may view the entire survey results online with a member login at www.aea.net/memberservices/ rateandlabor.asp. q

In Memory
Frank Pendergrass, 75, passed away Oct. 18 in Tulsa, Okla. He worked at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, an AEA member company, for 31 years. Most recently, he served as director of general education and avionics on Spartan’s South campus and was responsible for the avionics program, the Associate of Applied Science degree and the Bachelor of Science degree program in aviation management. Pendergrass was born Dec. 18, 1936, in Sallisaw, Okla., to Ray and Edith Steeley Pendergrass. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1955 and retired in August 1977 as an avionics technician, having bravely served his country at home and as a veteran of the Vietnam War. He joined the Spartan staff as a teacher and served in many roles during his 31 years of service. Pendergrass is survived by his wife, Molly, and five children, and several grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Judy, and one son, Joseph Pendergrass. Jacqueline Diane Morgan, 56, passed away Oct. 16 in Tallahassee, Fla. Morgan served in the customer service department at Castleberry Instruments and Avionics, an AEA member company. She was born in Greenville, S.C., to Jack D. and Carolyn L. Ward. Morgan is survived by her husband, Michael J. Morgan; son, Stephen M. Morgan; daughter, Carolanne L. Morgan; brother, Wesley D. Ward; and two sisters, Patricia A. Shirley and Kathleen R. Ward. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Linda G. Bindel. A celebration of life occurred Oct. 23 at Tom Brown Park. q

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2012

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Avionics News December 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News December 2012