Invited Letter: AEA Advocacy Includes Avionics Technicians 

Ric Peri
Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs, Aircraft Electronics Association

Keywords: Aircraft Electronics Association, aviation, aviation technician training, avionics technicians

© 2023 under the terms of the J ATE Open Access Publishing Agreement

I am, first and foremost, a professional aircraft mechanic. I began my career as a line mechanic working on Huey (UH-1N) aircraft, transitioning to Sikorsky HH-52 helicopters, then Lockheed HC130 aircraft. During my military experience, I obtained my Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings and began working on a wide range of general aviation aircraft. As my maintenance career evolved, I finished the line maintenance chapter as the chief inspector/director of quality.

Following my line maintenance chapter, I progressed into the advocacy activities of the trade association of Washington, representing aviation maintenance individuals and businesses before the FAA. Currently, I work with the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) providing regulatory training and counsel, writing a monthly column for Aviation News, and continuing to advocate before the FAA as well as international authorities worldwide. In addition to my position with AEA, I also support individual maintenance technicians as a member of the board of directors of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA).

Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in the 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.

The association’s mission is to educate, communicate, and advocate for aviation businesses worldwide that manufacture, support, and install innovative technologies for flight. The association represents businesses that employ well over 100,000 technicians. Their work ranges from the design and certification of aircraft electronics systems and the manufacturing of these systems to the installation and maintenance of the latest technologies.

An avionics technician is a unique qualification that involves a fundamental understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The science and theory of electricity, sound, and movement; the digital technology of the most advanced computer technologies; the engineering design and application of aircraft design and the integration of electronic technologies; and well as the mathematics necessary to install and repair electronic technologies are the working environment of an avionics technician.

Ric Peri
Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs
Aircraft Electronics Association
Washington, DC
Lees Summit, MO