Few sub-industries within aviation prove to be as much of a
bellwether as does the avionics industry. While most of the recent
major developments in aviation utility can be laid at the doorstep
of all things avionics, this industry benefits from both major
business outlets... new and upgrade sales. So... as goes the
avionics industry, so goes the rest of aviation -- and thus the
reason for our interest in the health of the avionics biz.
Herewith, the Final Part of our annual Three Question survey at
the 2009 AEA Convention... the first part focused on the most basic
of questions... how's business? The Second Question revolves around
what this year's attendees found to be new and notable. And today's
third and final question (for now) was an opportunity to judge, via
the membership itself, how well AEA is supporting the aims of such
an advanced and complex industry.
This year's rendition of the annual AEA Convention wound up
being a surprisingly upbeat affair. While everyone bemoaned the
awful economic situation forced upon them, to a persons there was
unanimity in the belief that the industry would not only survive
but come back bigger and stronger than before.
“We are purposely choosing to emphasize the positive
attributes of the industry this week,” said Paula Derks,
president of the Aircraft Electronics Association on the opening
day of this year’s annual convention and trade show, which
took place from April 1 to 4, at the Gaylord Texan Resort in
Dallas.
Setting this tone seemed to work as nearly 1,500 attendees
crowded the AEA Exhibit Hall and the meeting rooms to research
products and gain knowledge through educational forums on technical
and regulatory issues.
Among the positive highlights of this year’s convention
were:
- More than 31 companies taking part in the “New Product
Introductions” session.
- More than 140 companies and organizations displaying during the
trade show.
- Attendees receiving more than 75 hours of FAA-accepted
technical training classes.
“It would be premature to announce the light at the end of
the tunnel,” Derks said, “but many of the manufacturers
told me they are making good contacts and writing orders at the
booths, which means their dealers — our members — are
buying product.”
Next year’s AEA International Convention & Trade Show
is set from April 7-10, 2010, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in
Orlando, Fla.