AEA Amplified

Forge Flightworks CEO Mark Lee turned to automotive interiors expert Gil Vigil of Speed & Design to help the shop expand beyond the avionics business. Vigil brings his award-winning craftsmanship and experience from working on premier custom cars to the aviation industry, allowing Forge Flightworks to offer its customers a new service – premier-quality aircraft interior upgrades. In this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company, Lee and Vigil share their unique story on how they have successfully grown their repair station in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Phil Straub, Garmin executive vice president and managing director for aviation, discusses a variety of important topics impacting the avionics industry and the company’s dealer network in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company.

The Aircraft Electronics Association is collaborating with NextOp to connect U.S. veterans and military members with career opportunities in the avionics industry. NextOp recruits, develops and places high-performing middle-enlisted (E-3 to E-7) leaders into industry careers. For qualified candidates, NextOp employment coordinators will partner with enlisted service members and veterans through every step of the process until the individual finds, receives and accepts an offer of employment. For AEA businesses looking to hire, NextOp will support each company to develop and execute their veteran hiring and retention strategies. Learn more from Patrick McManus, employment coordinator for NextOp, in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company.

Bill Hanf began his avionics career in the United States Marine Corps. Today, he is the owner and president of Green Mountain Avionics in Middlebury, Vermont, a company he founded in 2011. During the recent AEA Convention in New Orleans, the association’s board of directors elected Hanf as its new chairman. Learn more about Hanf’s avionics career and how he plans to lead the association in the years ahead in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company.

Garry Joyce recently completed a successful three-year term as chair of the AEA’s board of directors. Under his leadership, the association completed a strategic planning process to set the course for the years ahead while navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain constraints, and workforce development challenges. Joyce is the co-owner of IAE, which is located at Little Staughton Airfield in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, and he is the first AEA chairman from outside North America. He reflects on his time as AEA chairman and looks ahead to the future in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company.

The 65th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show is the place to be for avionics training, networking, new product introductions and more. The four-day event takes place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, March 28-31, 2022. Avionics technicians and small-business owners will reconnect with their manufacturer and distributor representatives, train on the latest products, and learn industry best practices. Two full days of exhibits with more than 120 companies await. Tune in for a sneak peek of this year’s event with AEA President and CEO Mike Adamson in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company.

With a history that dates back to 1923 (1968 for IFR), VIAVI Solutions’ Avionics Test group out of Wichita, Kansas, is a leader in design and manufacture of avionics test equipment. The company provides accurate, reliable and cost-effective test solutions for maintenance needs. One of the company’s latest innovations is the AVX-10K for testing navigation, communications and surveillance gear – in and around the aircraft or on the test bench. Learn more from Guy Hill, director of avionics test products at VIAVI Solutions, along with Kerry Crawford, product manager of avionics test products, in this episode of AEA Amplified, sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company.

Kent Career Tech Center offers aviation maintenance and electronics programs to high school students in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In this episode of AEA Amplified, we visit with instructors Nick Brown and Josh Miller to learn how Kent Career Tech Center is a model program for other schools to follow in educating the next generation of avionics technicians. AEA Amplified is sponsored by Genesys Aerosystems, a Moog Company.