Mood Upbeat as AEA Convention Kicks Off
The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) is reporting strong turnout on the opening d

The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) is reporting strong turnout on the opening day of its annual convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla. About 1,500 people have registered for the show, which features 135 exhibitors and dozens of new product introductions. Some highlights from the convention so far have included the debut of a $9,000 cabin moving-map product from Flight Display Systems that is designed to serve as a direct replacement for older Airshow 100 and 200 units. PS Engineering, meanwhile, introduced the PMA8000B-T, the industry’s first Bluetooth-capable aircraft audio panel. DPI labs unveiled Smart Link HD, a high-definition cabin entertainment system that supports 22 uncompressed HD video channels. International Communications Group said it received an STC today for its NxtMail Iridium e-mail server in the Gulfstream G200. Aspen Avionics, finally, said synthetic-vision capability will be added to its Evolution family of flight displays early next year. The company is also developing for certification by the end of the year a backup display that will combine seven cockpit functions in one unit.