Avionics News December 2021 - 40

MEET KEVIN BARTON
Continued from page 39
opportunity to do hands-on work before sitting in
an office or cubicle designing the next aircraft or
modification.
Our company is fortunate to have not been
impacted as much as some of the other companies in
our industry or in other industries. Even what used to
be a simple thing, like attending industry events, will
now be difficult due to the restrictions and various
travel restrictions for other countries.
Regarding modifications, what
are operators seeking more of recently?
Like other shops, we saw a pickup in ADS-B in the
last few years, but we have also seen a trend toward
people upgrading their current aircraft rather than buy
a new one. I think at Eagle, we're going to continue
to see strong demand for our Eagle 407HP and Eagle
Single conversion, and we'll likely see customers
upgrading their avionics and possibly leaning more
toward glass cockpits.
What types of classes did you teach at SAIT?
All of my classes were avionics or electrical courses.
I taught a couple of electrical theory classes, an
autopilot class, some communication systems courses
and did a standard practices lab.
The need to recruit and train the next generation of
aircraft mechanics and avionics technicians is one of
the most important issues facing the industry. As a
former instructor, do you have any insight you would
like to share on the subject?
As a society, we have encouraged the next
generations to be engineers, lawyers and doctors,
and we have done a great disservice to all the other
really important jobs out there. Without electricians,
plumbers and carpenters, who's going to build our
houses? Without nurses, radiologists and janitors,
who's going to keep our hospitals working and safe?
So I think we have really done a bad job, as a society,
to promote the other equally important fields that
support the systems.
I have been fortunate to have worked as an aircraft
maintenance engineer, an AME-E is the Canadian
version of an A&P, so I have benefitted in my career
from hands-on learning, something that most
university students who go directly into engineering
won't have. I have seen firsthand what happens in the
field when drawings and documents are not accurate
and clear. It's my belief that we should all have an
40 avionics news * december 2021
What advice would you give to young
people wanting to work in avionics or aviation?
I would encourage anyone who is interested in
electronics, computers and aircraft to enter the field.
I think with the UAV and drone market, the demand
for skilled technicians and engineers is only going
to grow. The best advice I can give anyone is have
patience and learn as much as you can.
What do you like most about the AEA?
I think the single-best benefit is the training the
AEA makes available: the yearly convention, Avionics
News magazine, the AERO (online training) and the
in-person and virtual live courses offered at the AEA
headquarters. I think this will help strengthen the
industry and provide skilled workers for the next
generation of avionics technicians.
How have you benefited from the AEA
personally or professionally?
The training from the yearly conventions has
contributed to my professional success for sure.
The regulatory roundtables and discussions have
helped me gain the knowledge to be successful in
certification.
What does being on the association's
board of directors mean to you?
It's an absolute privilege and honor to be
elected and that I get to contribute to growing and
strengthening the avionics industry.
Is there anything specific you hope to
accomplish as a board member?
I hope to be able to help bring the concerns of the
Canadian avionics industry to any discussions. Tim
Shaw has left some big shoes to fill, but I hope I can
learn from him and help continue to strengthen the
avionics industry in Canada. I would specifically like
to help ensure we continue to strengthen the skills
of the industry and help contribute to the regulatory
framework. q
To learn more about Eagle Copters, visit
eaglecopters.com.
http://eaglecopters.com
Avionics News December 2021

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