The Annual gathering of the truly 'uber-professional' folks who populate the ultra-high-tech avionics business was a great success this year -- with outstanding attendance, accomplishments and achievements to be boasted about for years to come. But... who are these people and what do they get out of gathering each year? Aero-TV crews spent some time at the convention and on the exhibit floor to find out for ourselves. These are interesting people... and they belong to an equally interesting organization. Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) represents more than 1,300 aviation businesses, including repair stations that specialize in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. AEA membership also includes instruments facilities, manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, and educational institutions. AEA tells ANN that their mission is to be a worldwide, self-sustaining organization committed to enhancing the profitability of its members by... • providing effective leadership to its members, • facilitating the communications between members and with their various constituent groups, • encouraging members to establish quality processes, • furthering the education of its members and their various constituent groups, • influencing the applicable legislative and regulatory processes. Among those attending are a number of different types of members... Regular Members who may be an avionics or instrument facility with a Government-approved repair station. Applications for membership must include radio or instrument ratings, as well as a photocopy of their Certified Repair Station Certificate. Associate Members may be an avionics manufacturer, instrument manufacturer, test equipment manufacturer, airframe manufacturer, wire/cable manufacturer, major distributor, company dealing in used equipment, ...
