Speakers Include FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, First Officer Jeff Skiles Of The 'Miracle On The Hudson' 

Hundreds of avionics manufacturers, dealers, installers and other general aviation professionals are preparing for the 53rd annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, from April 7-10, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, FL.

AND... while we're not going to say anymore for just a few more days, AEA 2010 will also serve as the launching pad for ANN's newest programming initiative... and we guarantee you that its going to be hot stuff.

The AEA convention is the preeminent venue dedicated solely to the general aviation avionics industry. Not open to the public, this event's primary focus is providing avionics professionals with educational and marketing opportunities between equipment manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations. The general aviation avionics community knows the AEA International Convention & Trade Show is a must-attend gathering for growing their businesses, training their technicians and meeting with their customers.
 
This four-day event features:

• Nearly 30 new avionics products and systems.
• More than 75 hours of technical and business management training sessions.
• An Exhibit Hall filled with the latest avionics technologies.
• The latest regulatory updates with agency personnel.
• More than $100,000 in scholarships for avionics and aviation maintenance students.
• Unique networking opportunities with industry colleagues.
• Recognition of Dan Walker, former employee of King Radio, as the recipient of the AEA Lifetime Achievement Award.
• AND... Something NEW and EXCITING from ANN!

New this year, and in keeping with the growing importance of the association's involvement with international regulatory issues and its large international membership, the AEA convention is hosting three international regulatory round tables representing Canada, Europe and the South Pacific.

In addition, because of the large number of regulatory changes and proposals in the U.S. and worldwide, each morning of the convention features a regulatory general session.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt is one of the featured speakers during the upcoming AEA convention. As part of the FAA Leadership Panel, scheduled for Friday, April 9, Babbitt will share with attendees what's on the organization's radar screen in the coming years. He also will address the safety management system proposal and NextGen initiatives. Other civil aviation authorities also will present panels and round tables for attendees during the convention. Also scheduled to speak is Jeff Skiles (pictured, below), first officer of US Airways Flight 1549, "The Miracle on the Hudson," is the guest speaker for the AEA Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 9, during convention, where the 2010 AEA Member of the Year and 2010 AEA Associate Member of the Year will be announced. Last year's winners were Tom Richmond of Gulfstream Avionics, Appleton, WI, who was named the 2009 AEA Member of the Year, and Aspen Avionics, named the 2009 Associate Member of the Year.

Nominees for the 2010 Member of the Year are Peter Flanagan of Pacific Avionics, Bankstown, NSW, Australia; Kirk Fryar of Sarasota Avionics, Melbourne, FL; Soren Jakobsen of Dansk Fly Elektronik, Roskilde, Denmark; Michael Kus of Avionics 2000, Essendon, VIC, Australia; and Rick Ochs of Spirit Avionics, Columbus, OH.

Nominees for the 2010 Associate Member of the Year are DAC International; Flight Display Systems; JP Instruments; L-3 Avionics Systems; Satcom Direct; and Universal Avionics.

Registration deadline is March 12.

FMI: www.aea.net/Convention