More than 30 avionics companies unveiled new technology this morning during the new product introductions session at the 2015 Aircraft Electronics Association International Convention & Trade Show, which opened today at the Gaylord Texan Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. The AEA is offering more than 75 hours of training and professional development at the four-day convention for the more than 1,500 attendees, which include avionics manufacturers, repair stations, avionics dealers and installers and other general aviation professionals. More than 135 exhibitors will fill the sold-out exhibit hall, which opens tomorrow.
During the opening session this morning, retired Garmin vice president of marketing Gary Kelley received theAEA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. “The product is everything,” he said. “Keep the customers happy and take care of your employees. I want to thank you, the membership, for this wonderful award and allowing me to work in your industry.”
Also speaking at the opener, FAA deputy administrator and chief NextGen officer Michael Whitaker urged those involved in avionics equipment installations “to continue to work to meet the 2020 ADS-B deadline by encouraging early equipage. That rate needs to continue to increase. Encourage your customers to equip now.”