Avionics News December 2013 - 53

POINT OF COMMUNICATION
Continued from page 4

The AEA is continuing to build a
dynamic Safety Management System
program at no cost to our membership.
Participation builds each month,
along with new features added to the
online program and more international
authorities recognizing the SMS
program for repair stations to utilize.
In 2013, the AEA's Dan Derby
Center for Professional Development
offered more technical classes and
industry forums than ever before.
And 2014 will see the addition of
even more classes available for the
avionics industry.
The AEA is at the forefront of
rulemaking around the world. We
actively participate in rulemaking
committees
and
regulatory
representation before the FAA,
Transport Canada Civil Aviation,
European Aviation Safety Agency,
and both the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority in Australia and the
Brazilian Agência Nacional de
Aviação Civil.
Our voice is being heard. We are
sounding off about the recent U.S.
government shutdown resulting in
long delays in aircraft registry, product
certification and field approvals. We
are voicing our support of NextGen
and working on a public/private
partnership to be announced in early
2014 to provide incentives to your
customers to fund ADS-B equipage.
We travel to various regions in the
world to represent our members with
difficult regulatory issues. And we
will continue to do so in 2014.
One of our biggest accomplishments
in 2013 was the introduction of the
AEA Avionics Market Report, which
provides quarterly sales figures of
both forward-fit and retrofit avionics
products in the business and general

aviation industry. Today, 20 of the
leading avionics manufacturers
contribute to the report, and in the
coming year, the report will provide
even more valuable sales data for the
industry, Wall Street and our elected
officials to consider when making
investment choices and seeking the
true economic value of the avionics
segment of the market.
There is no doubt 2013 has been a
rollercoaster year for the majority of
the AEA membership. The peaks and
valleys have been frequent with no true
growth pattern established as the year
comes to a close. However, industry
forecasters are bullish in their forecasts
for 2014 and beyond, with airframe
sales trending upward and positive
outlooks coming from the avionics

manufacturers and repair stations.
As we plan for the future, we realize
it won't be "business as usual." Our
global industry and our economies are
changing. But rest assured, the AEA
will be here every step of the way to
offer our assistance in any way we can.
On behalf of the entire AEA staff
and the AEA board of directors, we
appreciate your continued support of
this organization, and we wish you a
peaceful and joyous holiday season.
Here's to a healthy and prosperous
New Year!

PAULA DERKS
AEA President

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Avionics News December 2013

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