PHOENIX, ARIZONA, March 18, 2025 – The Aircraft Electronics Association introduced its brand-new certification for the avionics industry, the Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET), during today’s opening session at the 68th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Phoenix. Developed and supported by the AEA, the CAET becomes the primary certification for technicians.
The CAET is a knowledge-based certification for entry-level technicians and requires passing a written exam that must be taken online through the AEA’s new partner, the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI). The credential is the foundation for a series of stackable certifications that will eventually include the CAET-Advanced with more in-depth knowledge and skill requirements and a practical test, along with the CAET-Pro designed for experienced technicians and avionics managers, which assesses skills needed to successfully lead a team of professionals.
“The AEA is committed to supporting the growth and development of the aircraft electronics industry by providing high-quality training and certification programs,” said Mike Adamson, AEA president and chief executive officer. “The launch of the CAET program is a significant step toward addressing the workforce shortage and ensuring the continued safety and efficiency of business and general aviation. We expect avionics professionals will be able to take the initial certification exam in the second quarter of this year, and in the fall, we will launch the training and certification program in high schools and colleges through our partnership with USI.”
“Beginning this fall, CAET training and exams will be available to USI’s network of schools and colleges,” said Josh Olds, co-founder, president and CEO of USI. “We envision this certification both as a stand-alone career track as well as a maintenance skill enhancement for those in our UAS programs. We are excited to partner with the AEA and provide the avionics industry with a standards-based certification that is the ultimate resource for growing a skilled workforce.”
With more than 300 instructors and over 20,000 USI certifications awarded around the world, USI works with large commercial enterprises and nearly 500 schools in all 50 states. It also is the global leader in commercial and academic UAS training and certification, delivering the most highly regarded training program of its kind. USI offers primary, advanced and complex training and certification programs that are applicable to VLOS, BVLOS and advanced air mobility operations.
“USI has the scale to administer credential testing for the avionics industry and has already established important relationships with hundreds of schools through its work in the drone segment of the aviation industry,” Adamson noted. “Avionics professionals from a broad range of organizations came together to modernize the knowledge-based test, and it will be a must-have certification for technicians. Approved maintenance organizations will want to include CAET certifications as part of their hiring processes as well as their continuous training requirements for current employees.”
For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the CAET, visit aea.net/caet.
About Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA)
Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of aircraft electronics systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of aircraft electronics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.
About Unmanned Safety Institute (USI)
Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) is the industry’s most widely recognized leader in workforce development programs for individuals, academia and organizations focused on UAS best practices for civil or commercial purposes. It provides UAS education, training and certification to operational standards based on the adoption and modification of time-honored aviation safety practices. Its training and certification programs are endorsed by major aviation insurance providers and utilized by numerous organizations seeking standardized UAS operations for their staff and vendors. The USI turn-key solution is implemented nationwide as a workforce pathway program from secondary or post-secondary to the career field to align skill sets to industry pay scales. Learn more at FlyUSI.org.
AEA media contact:
Geoff Hill
AEA Director of Communications
Phone: 816-347-8400
Email: geoffh@aea.net
Unmanned Safety Institute media contact:
Stephanie Holland
Director of Marketing and Communications
Phone: 407-499-2065
Email: Stephanie.Holland@FlyUSI.org
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Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of aircraft electronics systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of aircraft electronics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.