Avionics News January 2014 - 64

THE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON
Continued from page 13

recommendations in early 2014, with the recommendations
being forwarded to the administrator by mid-year.
We completed our work on the EASA B2L working
group early in the year. This was an initiative originally
proposed by AEA members. With participation throughout
Europe, the association proposed a general aviation
approach for avionics licensing in Europe that would allow
for a progressive licensing system with progressively more
authority until the technician has achieved full B2 authority.
This project not only benefits the AEA membership in
Europe, but also the worldwide membership utilizing the
EASA-based regulatory structure.
The AEA also sponsored and co-sponsored other industry
events. This year brought an avionics certification forum to
the AEA's headquarters last June, as well as two rotorcraft
avionics forums in January and August. The AEA also
participates in the ASTM Committee on Aircraft Systems.
This committee developed the new standards for angle of
attack systems during this past year. Leveraging the intended
direction of many of the new Part 23 rulemaking initiatives,
including SARA, the committee on aircraft systems is well
positioned to provide performance standards for many of the
nonessential safety-enhancing equipment of the future.
The AEA also played host to two Regional Meetings
in the U.S., along with international meetings in Europe,
Canada, South America and the South Pacific. In addition
to the demands of our own meetings and conferences, we
also were present at other numerous industry events. Last
year, we participated in regulatory affairs meetings at HAI's
Heli-Expo, Aero Fredrischafen, AirVenture, LABACE,
and the NBAA Convention, along with various other
industry functions. The regulatory affairs team also attended
NextGen avionics forums with ICAO, Eurocontrol and the
FAA in 2013.
We participated in the annual EASA/FAA aviation safety
conference. The aviation safety conference, while hosted
by the FAA and EASA in alternating years, is a gathering
of aviation authorities throughout the world. This past year,
I facilitated a panel discussion with authorities from UAE,
EASA, TCCA and FAA. While my panel was limited and
stacked with the usual suspects, for the conference overall,
there were representatives from every continent with the
exception of Antarctica. It truly is the annual meeting of the
world aviation safety experts.
The other primary role we serve is consultation, which
we haven't touched on yet. Consultation is a continuum.
We function as the regulatory resource for the membership
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worldwide, every day. Since the AEA is resident in 43
countries, we have a huge database of resources to answer
most any regulatory question; legal questions get forwarded
to our legal counsel, Jason Dickstein. Along with being legal
counsel, he also is our expert on import/export topics.
Throughout this past year, we have supported regulatory
issues ranging from simple major/minor alterations questions
and installation and upgrade challenges to the regulations
governing repair stations. Most issues can be resolved via a
simple phone consultation. At other times, the issue is such
that it requires some face-to-face time with regulators. One
project in Canada was resolved after 18 months of work
directly with the membership and TCCA. We worked another
"fast track" field approval issue earlier this year with the
FAA that took six months just to change a policy document.
This year, we also had face-to-face discussions with the FAA,
TCCA, EASA, ANAC (Brazil); and CASA (Australia).
In Australia, we were able to sit side-by-side with CASA
and evaluate the AEA SMS solution. Together with the
regulator and an AEA member company, we performed a
line-by-line review of the AEA program resulting in the
acceptance of the SMS solution for Australian Part 145
maintenance organizations.
This type of schedule could not be accomplished without
great support. The government affairs team includes Franz
Redak in Europe; Kevin Bruce in Canada; Bruce Baxter
in Australia; and Jason Dickstein in D.C. Without their
continued support, we wouldn't be as active in regional
issues as we are. Add to that the AEA team in Lee's
Summit. While we continue to grow the regulatory training
offerings to the membership, this team gets all of the heavy
lifting (logistics) chores for these programs. The facilities,
communications and logistics are all local.
So as we welcome 2014, we look back at the successes
and failures of 2013. This is a snapshot of the year in review.
I've chosen not to dwell on the mundane daily tasks of
reading and review of the government, political and aviation
journals. Nor did I dwell on the regular interface between the
other "alphabet groups" in Washington.
I once read that there are more than 200 different aviation
associations represented. I'm not sure about the total
number, but I do know general aviation has a dozen solid
advocacy groups that work together for the better good of
our industry. We all do the same general tasks; our focuses
are different based on our membership, but how we do our
work is basically the same. And they, too, deserve credit for a
successful year.
So as we welcome in another year, thank you for the
privilege of representing you. May you, your family and your
business have a healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year! q
Avionics News January 2014

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