Nearly 100 general aviation maintenance and manufacturing professionals gathered for the 24th annual AEA Europe Meeting in Cologne, Germany. Attendance at this year’s three-day conference was up nearly 15 percent compared to last year’s meeting, and a record number of exhibitors displayed their latest avionics products and services.
“Part of the AEA’s focus in Europe is to assist members with their EASA continuation training requirements, and this year’s program was filled with a variety of technical and regulatory topics designed to meet that goal while informing and educating the European avionics industry,” said Mike Adamson, vice president of member programs and education for the AEA.
One of the hot topics at this year’s gathering was the anticipated fees increase EASA and the European Commission are considering. The new fees and charges structure is expected to increase costs dramatically for the issuance of supplemental type certificates, among other services.
The program also featured presentations by Michel Voorwinde of the European Aviation Maintenance Training Committee, and Brian Davey, director of European affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
The AEA’s European program also included new product introductions; a regulatory round-table session; a full-day session regarding the U.S. regulations for foreign repair stations; a half-day weather radar course; an electrical load analysis class; technical sessions from Garmin and Avidyne; and a presentation from Brian Davey, director of European affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
The dates and location of the 2011 AEA Europe Meeting will be announced soon.
Nearly 100 attendees representing 13 countries throughout Europe benefitted from various workshops and classes during the 3-day meeting.
Tom Harper, Avidyne, (left) congratulates Lionel Salavin, RUAG Switzerland, on receiving the door prize during Avidyne’s technical workshop.