  AEA News Release
For more information, contact Trisha Drape,
director of communications for the AEA, at 816-347-8400 or trishad@aea.net. For immediate release: April 8, 2010 AEA Members of the Year Nominees
Each year during the AEA
International Convention, two
prestigious awards are presented
at the AEA Annual Awards
Luncheon: the AEA Member of
the Year, which honors an individual
from an AEA regular member
company; and the AEA Associate
Member of the Year, which honors
a company that is an AEA associate
member. Michael Kus Avionics 2000 Pty. Ltd. — Australia  Michael Kus is the founder and director of Avionics 2000 Pty Ltd. in Australia. Since its conception 22 years ago, he has expanded his business by 2,000 percent. Prior to starting Avionics 2000, Kus served six years with the Victoria Police Air Wing. He became a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME) in 1986, while serving with the police and is credited for orchestrating the avionics plan for its air ambulance service. His passion for aviation was launched in 1976, when he joined the Royal Australian Navy. He received avionics technician apprenticeship training with the RAN Fleet Air Arm and trained as an electrical fitter. While concurrently serving his country, Kus received honors from the Department of Technical and Further Education, NSW, for completion of its electronics and communications course.Kus was elected to the AEA board of directors in 2007. He attends all AEA South Pacific regional meetings, participates in various CASA working groups on behalf of the AEA membership, and attends the AEA International Convention & Trade Show. When Kus isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kimberly, and their 2-year-old twins. Rick Ochs Spirit Avionics — Columbus, Ohio  Rick Ochs founded and manages Spirit Avionics Ltd., an FAA-certified avionics repair station in Columbus, Ohio. Ochs previously had an extensive career in the United States Navy and private avionics industry. With more than 25 years experience, Ochs has become a well-known representative and leader within the avionics community. He is dedicated to establishing avionics technicians’ national certification and academic accreditation standards to enhance professional development.Ochs presently serves on the AEA board of directors and is a member of the AEA Program and Member Services Committee. He also is involved in other industry organizations, such as NBAA, NCATT, EAA and Youth Aviation Adventure. Ochs serves on several advisory boards and has received many FAA and FCC certifications and awards. He is passionate about youth aviation careers and has invested a large amount of time and energy highlighting the positive potential of aviation careers. 2010 AEA Member of the Year Nominees DAC International  Organized in 1980, by Terry Armstrong and Michael Crouch, DAC International, a Greenwich AeroGroup Co. located in Austin, Texas, offers avionics and test equipment solutions for corporate and general aviation, airlines, special missions and military aircraft operators, modification centers and manufacturers worldwide. With many years of experience working as regional marketing directors of a Fortune 500 aerospace company, Armstrong and Crouch recognized the business opportunities of representing small, U.S.-based avionics manufacturers to worldwide markets.The DAC concept was to identify a group of companies that produced quality products but could not justify an in-house international marketing arm. DAC’s extensive knowledge of worldwide buyers and sellers, combined with a broad base of manufacturers, became an excellent resource when working with the airlines, aircraft OEMs, executive aviation dealerships and brokerage companies. As DAC’s success grew, the company was approached by major equipment manufacturers for exclusive sales contracts. DAC works with quality avionics manufacturers and often is viewed more as an extension of the manufacturer’s sales team than an outside distributor. DAC now has in-house capability for avionics design, system integration design and manufacturing. DAC International has been an active AEA member since 1983, and its staff regularly attends the AEA International Convention & Trade Show and all regional meetings in the U.S., Canada, Europe and the South Pacific. Flight Display Systems  Flight Display Systems was founded in 1999, in Alpharetta, Ga., by David Gray. After two years of research and development, the company launched its low-cost moving map system. The company now offers more than 70 different FAA PMA-authorized products, including high-definition LCD monitors, articulating mounts, Blu-ray and DVD players, and other audio/video cabin entertainment products.Additionally, Flight Display Systems has developed innovative product solutions being utilized in military and special operations applications for front-line deployment around the world. In 2009, Flight Display Systems was recognized as the No. 1 customer service and support company for cabin entertainment by the Aviation International News annual reader’s poll. Flight Display Systems maintains a small business perspective and prides itself on being nimble, responsive to customer needs and continually investing in research and development. Another unique aspect of the company is a large in-stock inventory and 24-hour turn-time on all in-shop repairs. Flight Display Systems can ship most products the next day. Recently, the company has grown by adding engineering and manufacturing employees to its team. Creativity and a can-do attitude have helped Flight Display Systems launch contemporary solutions for retrofit aircraft applications. Flight Display Systems has been an active AEA member since 2003. J.P. Instruments  J.P. Instruments was founded in 1986, in Huntington Beach, Calif., by Joseph Polizzotto. Polizzotto was educated at Villanova University as a mechanical engineer and began his career in the 1960s at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. He worked as a test engineer, measuring temperatures and pressures on jet aircraft engines.With the experience gained in thermocouple technology at Pratt & Whitney, he designed the Scanner in 1979, for his personal aircraft, a Cessna 172. When friends and fellow pilots saw the new instrument in the 172 panel for the first time, they all were interested in one for themselves. Several prototypes were built for friends, and JPI was born. Following the success of the Scanner, came the EDM-500, the predecessor to the EDM-700 series. J.P. Instruments has added an entire line of reliable and cost-effective aircraft instruments. Among these are engine data management systems, fuel-flow gauges and GPS moving maps. All systems are TSO- and STC-approved. Pilots and mechanics have come to know JPI for its high quality, good service and utmost reliability. J.P. Instruments has been an AEA member since 1997. L-3 Avionics Systems  L-3 Avionics Systems has been helping pilots fly since 1962, when it was founded as the avionics division of Learjet in Grand Rapids, Mich. The company has operated under a few different owners and names, including Jet Electronics & Technology, BFGoodrich Aerospace and Goodrich Avionics Systems Inc. L-3 Communications Corp. purchased Goodrich Avionics Systems in 2003. L-3 Avionics Systems initially manufactured flight control systems and remote- and panel-mount gyros for the Learjet 20 series aircraft.Today, the company provides a wide array of avionics technologies designed to improve situational awareness and enhance safety, and it has been a pioneer in the development of collision avoidance and solid-state standby safety systems for general aviation. L-3 Avionics products include the popular Stormscope lightning detection system installed in more than 55,000 aircraft; the Skywatch collision avoidance system, the first active collision avoidance system certified for general aviation; the GH series of electronic standby instrument systems; and its latest product, the Trilogy electronic standby system, the first digital standby system for general aviation aircraft. According to L-3, its dealer members have been integral to its growth and success. The opportunities offered by the AEA to provide training, exhibit products and exchange information with avionics dealers and regulatory agencies worldwide, make the AEA an essential and valued business partner. L-3 Avionics has been an AEA member since 1969. Satcom Direct  Satcom Direct was established in 1997 to provide global satellite communications to aeronautical users. The company has set a high industry standard for providing excellence in satellite communications services, support and technology. Today, its clients include business and general aviation, military, government, emergency response, media, and a growing list of others who demand reliable global communications. According to Satcom Direct, achieving this level of excellence has been accomplished by listening to its customers’ needs and developing exclusive applications to fit their requirements and ensure their continued satisfaction.Technology advancements have allowed satcom systems to be reduced in size, making them popular on a variety of airplanes. From the cockpit and the cabin to the pilot and the VIP, customers now have satcom options that were not available in the early days of aeronautical satellite communications. As an industry leader for aeronautical satcom service, Satcom Direct said it supports more than 90 percent of all corporate flight departments. Working closely with both the Inmarsat and Iridium satellite networks, its focus continues to be delivering unparalleled technology and customer support to ensure private aviation travelers get connected and stay connected — on demand. Satcom Direct has been an AEA member since 2001. Universal Avionics Systems Corp.  Universal Avionics Corp. is an industry leader of innovative avionics systems used for more than 27 years on a large number of aircraft types, from helicopters and business turbine aircraft to large commercial airliners. Universal Avionics’ journey began with founder Hubert Naimer’s vision of a “master navigation system.” This system, he concluded, should be capable of accepting inputs from a variety of navigation and air-data sensors, as well as have the ability to integrate new data sources in the future. This innovative concept led to the development of the world’s first flight management system, which was introduced to the market as the UNS-1 in the fall of 1982. Today, there are approximately 19,000 UNS-1 systems installed in more than 10,000 aircraft in more than 150 different aircraft types.Universal Avionics’ product offering has since expanded to include flat-panel instrument displays, cockpit voice and data recorders, navigation position sensors, Vision-1 synthetic vision systems, terrain awareness and warning systems, electronic flight bags, and cockpit/ground communications data-link systems. In 2008, Universal Avionics became the first in the industry to complete FAR Part 25 certification for its WAAS/SBAS family of FMS with LPV-approach capability. Most recently, the Arizona Technology Council named Universal Avionics “Innovator of the Year” during the 2009 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation awards ceremony in Phoenix, Ariz. Universal also was recognized by Pro Pilot magazine as “Avionics Innovator of the Year” for the development of WAAS/LPV-capable avionics. Paul DeHerrera, chief operating officer for Universal, formerly served as the AEA’s chairman of the board. He also worked on numerous committees, including aviation tort reform. Universal Avionics has been an active AEA member since 1982. – 30 – |
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“AEA’s annual convention is a premier trade show for Universal Avionics. The AEA provides a well organized, cost effective, unhurried venue attracting a unique segment of the market: our product dealers, associates and suppliers. Most recently, we doubled the floor space of our exhibit for this show due to the increase in activity.” Paul DeHerrera, COO, Universal Avionics Systems Corporation |
Peter Flanagan has nearly 30 years of experience in the avionics industry. He completed an apprenticeship with the Royal Australian Navy and remained with them for 11 years. Upon leaving the Navy, Flanagan worked in the general, corporate and regional airline fields. He has completed his radio, electrical and instrument licenses. Flanagan is the current business development manager for Pacific Avionics in Australia; previously he was the general manager for seven years.
Kirk Fryar’s involvement in avionics began at the young age of 8, sitting in the co-pilot’s seat next to his father. Growing up in Winchester, Tenn., Fryar spent every summer working at the local airport as the airport gofer in exchange for flying time to become a pilot. This interest in aviation led Fryar to attend Colorado Aero Tech and begin a career in avionics. After his training, Fryar opened his first repair station in one small room.
Soren Jakobsen is the third generation of Jakobsens to pursue a career in aviation. His involvement in avionics began more than 45 years ago, when he began a four-year apprenticeship at Avia Radio. Following his apprenticeship, Jakobsen served in the Royal Danish Navy. Upon completion of his service to his country, Jakobsen was able to return to Avia Radio where he worked as a technician for seven more years, then became a manager at the Avia division in Roskilde, Denmark.