Gone West: Former AEA President And Industry Icon Monte R. Mitchell | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.02.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.03.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.04.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.05.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.06.25

Wed, Oct 17, 2012

Gone West: Former AEA President And Industry Icon Monte R. Mitchell

Held Leadership Roles With The Organization From 1977 Until 1996

The AEA has notified ANN of the passing of Monte R. Mitchell, former president of the association and a legend in the avionics industry, who served nearly 40 years in the general aviation industry. Born Feb. 6, 1929, in Quincy, MO, he passed away Oct. 16, 2012, in Lee's Summit, MO, at the age of 83, following a brief illness.

Mitchell (pictured) served first as the AEA executive director, then as president of the association from 1977 to 1996. He received the 2007 AEA Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony at the 50th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show in 2007, at the Grand Sierra Resort Theater in Reno, Nev. The AEA Lifetime Achievement Award is presented for exemplary service to the general aviation industry and is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the AEA board of directors.

Mitchell's career in aviation began in 1956, when he joined Wilcox Electric Co., a transponder manufacturer. When he left Wilcox in the mid-1970s, Mitchell became vice president of marketing at a new face in the aviation manufacturing industry, Bonzer, where he was responsible for marketing its line of radar altimeters.

In 1977, Mitchell was recruited for the position of executive director of the AEA. Up to 1977, a volunteer staff managed the AEA. Realizing the potential for growth and the work involved, the board of directors decided to hire a full-time, paid staff to properly grow the AEA. During his tenure as AEA president, Mitchell tripled the membership size and introduced new programs and services to the members, including the EEDirect equipment exchange program and the annual AEA Rate & Labor survey, and he quadrupled the size of the association's monthly magazine, Avionics News. Under Mitchell's leadership, the AEA reached beyond North American borders and hosted the first AEA Europe Regional Meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1987. Today, AEA membership reaches every corner of the world in more than 40 countries.

On Aug. 17, 1994, Mitchell stood next to President Bill Clinton inside the Oval Office of the White House during a signing ceremony, as Clinton signed the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994. The law reduced the liability faced by aviation manufacturers, and production gained momentum from its lowest levels. The cost of liability insurance had previously reduced the investment into research and development by general aviation manufacturers. Mitchell led the AEA's efforts to help pass the landmark piece of legislation.

Mitchell also led the establishment of the AEA Educational Foundation to help promote careers in the aviation maintenance industry. Since its inception in 1990, the AEA Educational Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in educational scholarships to students.

Mitchell was united in marriage on Feb. 14, 1954, to JoAnn Ryan Mitchell. She preceded him in death on Aug. 16, 2000. Together, they had three daughters: Debra McFarland, Paula Derks and Lisa Lufft; three son-in-laws; and six grandchildren. Two of his daughters, Debra McFarland and Paula Derks, followed in Mitchell's footsteps. Currently, they help lead the AEA with Derks serving as president and McFarland as executive vice president. In addition, one of Mitchell's grandchildren, Lauren McFarland, serves the AEA as manager of marketing and advertising, making three generations of family service to the association.

A U.S. Army veteran, Mitchell served his country in the Korean War. He was a deacon and member of the Noland Road Baptist Church in Independence, Mo.

"I know from personal experience that Monte Mitchell devoted his entire professional career to serving the general aviation avionics industry," said Paula Derks, AEA president, and one of Mitchell's three surviving daughters. "He was respected and trusted by aviation professionals, and his knowledge and dedication to avionics made him a powerful leader in our industry. He truly loved serving and guiding the vision and mission of the AEA, and he will be dearly missed by so many friends and family."

A visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9:30-11 a.m. CDT at Speaks Suburban Chapel; 18020 E. 39th Street; Independence, MO; 64055. A memorial service will immediately follow the visitation.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the AEA Educational Foundation; 3570 NE Ralph Powell Road; Lee's Summit, MO; 64064. For more information, contact the AEA headquarters at 816-347-8400.

FMI: Memorial Site

Advertisement

More News

Citation Operators Get Another Flight Data Connection for QA

LinxUs System Adds Capabilities for Data-Driven Operators Textron Aviation announced another option for operators processing their post-flight data, adding interoperability with GE>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.01.25)

Aero Linx: The de Havilland Moth Club Ltd The de Havilland Moth Club evolved from a belief that an association of owners and operators of Moth aeroplanes should be formed to create>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Bellanca 8GCBC

(Pilot) Inadvertently Applied Excessive Braking Action, And The Airplane Nosed Over Analysis: The pilot reported that, while landing at a remote, rough and uneven airstrip in a tai>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (06.01.25)

“MCADT is committed to rapidly integrating armed first-person view drones into the FMF, enhancing small-unit lethality and providing organic capabilities that warfighters cur>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: High-Speed Match-up - Venom and GE Rebirth A Legend

From 2017 (YouTube Edition): Major Engine Supplier Joins Forces With Small Aircraft Manufacturer… GE recently made an agreement with Venom Aircraft to supply engines for the>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC