FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, First Officer Jeff Skiles of the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’
Guest Speakers Tomorrow During the 53rd Annual AEA Convention & Trade Show

ORLANDO, Fla. — Nearly 1,500 avionics manufacturers, dealers, installers and other general aviation professionals have converged so far at the 53rd annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, from now through April 10, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, which Paula Derks, president of the AEA, officially kicked off this morning with a high-energy presentation.
The AEA convention is the preeminent venue dedicated solely to the general aviation avionics industry. Not open to the public, this event’s primary focus is providing avionics professionals with educational and marketing opportunities between equipment manufacturers, distributors and government-certified repair stations. The general aviation avionics community knows the AEA International Convention & Trade Show is a must-attend gathering for growing their businesses, training their technicians and meeting with their customers.
This four-day event features:

• More than 30 new avionics products and systems being introduced.
• More than 75 hours of technical and business management training sessions.
• An Exhibit Hall filled with the latest avionics technologies.
• The latest regulatory updates with agency personnel.
• More than $100,000 in scholarships for avionics and aviation maintenance students.
• Unique networking opportunities with industry colleagues.
• Recognition of Dan Walker, former employee of King Radio, as the recipient of the AEA Lifetime Achievement Award.

New this year, and in keeping with the growing importance of the association’s involvement with international regulatory issues and its large international membership, the AEA Convention is hosting three international regulatory round tables representing Canada, Europe and the South Pacific.
In addition, because of the large number of regulatory changes and proposals in the U.S. and worldwide, each morning of the convention features a regulatory general session.
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS
Randy Babbitt, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, is one of the featured speakers during the upcoming AEA convention. As part of the FAA Leadership Panel, scheduled for Friday, April 9, Babbitt will share with attendees what’s on the organization’s radar screen in the coming years. He also will address the safety management system proposal and NextGen initiatives. Other civil aviation authorities also will present panels and round tables for attendees during the convention.



Jeff Skiles, first officer of US Airways Flight 1549, “The Miracle on the Hudson,” is the guest speaker for the AEA Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 9, during convention. Rockwell Collins and the AEA are sponsoring Skiles who details — with a great sense of humor and natural storytelling ability — the lessons, training and scenarios that led to the safe evacuation of 155 passengers and crew in January 2009.
AEA ANNUAL AWARDS
The 2010 AEA Member of the Year and 2010 AEA Associate Member of the Year will be announced during the AEA Annual Awards luncheon tomorrow. Last year’s winners were Tom Richmond of Gulfstream Avionics, Appleton, Wis., who was named the 2009 AEA Member of the Year, and Aspen Avionics, named the 2009 Associate Member of the Year.
Nominees for the 2010 Member of the Year are Peter Flanagan of Pacific Avionics, Bankstown, NSW, Australia; Kirk Fryar of Sarasota Avionics, Venice, Fla.; Soren Jakobsen of Dansk Fly Elektronik, Roskilde, Denmark; Michael Kus of Avionics 2000, Melbourne, Australia; and Rick Ochs of Spirit Avionics, Columbus, Ohio.
Nominees for the 2010 Associate Member of the Year are DAC International; Flight Display Systems; J.P. Instruments; L-3 Avionics Systems; Satcom Direct; and Universal Avionics.
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA:
Download high-resolution photos of FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt and First Officer Jeff Skiles, as well as the Aircraft Electronics Association logo, at: http://www.aea.net/Convention/FL2010/LogosAndImages.asp