LEE'S SUMMIT, MO, Jan. 5, 2012 -- General aviation industry leaders and regulatory executives will converge at the Aircraft Electronics Association International Headquarters, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, for a 2 ½ day rotorcraft forum to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the certification and installation of new avionics technologies in the rotorcraft market. The forum's aim is to open the lines of communications between industry and the Federal Aviation Administration's Rotorcraft Directorate.

Organized and moderated by the AEA, the event will take place at the AEA's Dan Derby Center for Professional Development in Lee's Summit, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City, Mo.

"The AEA has long worked with the FAA and other international regulatory agencies to promote the installation of new safety-enhancing avionics technologies in aircraft," said Paula Derks, AEA president. "This forum is the next step in a long-running dialog with the Rotorcraft Directorate. Previous AEA/FAA forums on ADS-B and airborne WiFi have proven extremely successful in opening communications and understanding the challenges from both industry and the FAA's perspective. We are confident that this forum will do the same in our efforts to enhance safety in rotorcraft through cockpit technology."

FAA leadership scheduled to attend include:

• Rotorcraft Directorate.
• Small Airplane Directorate.
• Aircraft Certification Division.
• Flight Standards Division.

Industry participants scheduled to attend include:

• Rotorcraft OEMs.
• Avionics OEMs for rotorcraft applications.
• MROs in the rotorcraft market.

The event will occur in cooperation with the following organizations:

• General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
• Aeronautical Repair Station Association.
• Helicopter Association International.
• National Air Transportation Association.

Persons interested in attending may visit www.aea.net/events/rotorcraft to register and learn more information.