AEA South Pacific Regional

September 16-17, 2026

Cairns, Australia

 

Schedule

Wednesday, september 16

7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. AEA Registration Open
8 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. President Opening Remarks
8:15 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Regulatory Update: The Latest in Aviation Regulations

An informative regulatory update session focused on key developments affecting the general aviation maintenance sector. This session will provide practical insights into current and emerging regulatory changes, clarify areas of industry concern, and offer attendees the opportunity to better understand CASA’s expectations and processes.

Topics will include:

  • Regulatory Update – An overview of recent and upcoming regulatory developments impacting general aviation.
  • Part 43 Update – The latest information on the implementation and application of Part 43, including key changes and lessons learned since introduction.
  • New Pathway for Part 66 Licence Exclusions – An examination of the recently introduced pathway for removing exclusions from Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licences, including eligibility, requirements, and practical considerations.
  • CASA Fees and Charges – Discussion on CASA's approach to charging for activities related to volunteer changes and audit findings, including regulatory basis, industry impacts, and common questions.
  • Conflict Resolution and Regulatory Interpretation – Guidance on addressing situations where issues may be presented as regulatory concerns by a CASA surveyor, despite not having a clear regulatory basis. This segment will explore effective communication, escalation pathways, and best practices for achieving fair and constructive outcomes.
9 a.m. Exhibitor Setup
10 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Change Without Risk: Using SMS to Strengthen Your Business

Every repair station faces change, new equipment, new personnel, revised procedures, or evolving customer demands. But in a regulatory environment that expects perfection, even small changes can introduce unintended risk.

This session explores how SMS change management tools move beyond simple regulatory compliance and become a practical business advantage. Learn how to proactively assess risk, protect airworthiness outcomes, and integrate change into your quality system without disruption.

Whether you operate a small shop or a complex organization, this session will demonstrate how structured change management:

  • Prevents costly errors before they occur
  • Strengthens consistency in maintenance outcomes
  • Enhances regulatory confidence during oversight
  • Supports continuous improvement across your operation

If your organization is making changes, and every organization is, this session will show you how to do it safely, intelligently, and in full control.

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Avionics Troubleshooting: Transponders
Using a structured troubleshooting methodology, attendees will review ATC transponder fundamentals, testing requirements, and the most common failure modes encountered in the field. Explores practical troubleshooting techniques for issues such as missing or erroneous Mode A/Mode C data, altitude encoder and interface failures, transponders that fail ramp tests, low transmit power, off-frequency operation, configuration problems, communication faults with connected avionics systems, and antenna or wiring-related defects. Real-world case studies will demonstrate a step-by-step approach to isolating problems, testing hypotheses, and identifying root causes efficiently.
12:15 p.m. - 1 p.m. Lunch
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. FlightCell Technical Training
2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Technical/Business Training
2:45 p.m. - 3 p.m. Break
3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Technical/Business Training
3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Cirrus SR & SF Service Bulletin Update
Stay current with the latest Cirrus maintenance guidance in this one-hour technical update. This session includes a deep dive into the newest Service Bulletins for the SR Series and SF50, covering the technical background, compliance requirements, and maintenance considerations. Additional highlights will include a review of other recently released maintenance bulletins and service information affecting the SR fleet, ensuring attendees leave with an understanding of the latest changes impacting Cirrus maintenance.
3:45 p.m. - 4 p.m. Local Product Info Session
4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Product Info Session
  • FreeFlight Systems
  • Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open
6:30 p.m. Exhibitor Teardown
7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. AEA Social Event

Sponsored by Fieldtech Avionics

Thursday, September 17

7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. AEA Registration Open
8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Garmin Technical Training
The objective for Garmin’s training is to provide participants with in-depth knowledge and skills related to installation, troubleshooting and configuration of Garmin products. The training will be tailored to current topics that may include:

  • New product and process training
  • Discussion of the latest retrofit and integrated flight deck installation, troubleshooting, configuration, and administrative topics from training classes and FSE calls
  • Garmin autopilot installation trends and troubleshooting tips, and
  • GDL 60 installation and registration topics.

Topics:

  • 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. - AXIS & New Product and Upgrade Training
  • 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. - GDL 60 Configuration with Remote Aircraft Status
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Lunch
1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Garmin Technical Training

Topics:

  • 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - GFC 500 Troubleshooting, Servicing, and Support
  • 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - G1000NXi STC Upgrades (Perspective)


Last updated Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Every attempt not to deviate from the above schedule will be made; however, the AEA reserves the right to make changes when necessary without notice. Please check back often to ensure you have the latest schedule.

 

Sponsors

The AEA would like to thank the following sponsors.

Interested in sponsoring? Contact Linda Adams, lindaa@aea.net or 816-347-8400

2026 AEA Regionals

Canada

August 26-27, 2026

Toronto, Ontario

Toronto Airport Hilton

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East

September 1-2, 2026

Orlando, Florida

Orlando Airport Renaissance

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South Pacific

September 16-17, 2026

Cairns, Australia

Hilton Cairns

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October 8-9, 2026

Cologne, Germany

Hyatt Regency Cologne

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West

October 29-30, 2026

Reno, Nevada

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Central

November 4-5, 2026

Kansas City, Missouri

Hilton KCI Airport Hotel

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