Avionics News January 2014 - 24

ABOVE: Bench technician Robert Bartels repairs a KX170B nav/comm. BELOW: Beacon's avionics upgrades to a Ford Tri-motor include a AA20-431 public
address system, KX165 Nav/Comm, KX196A Comm, KT76A transponder, A-30 altitude digitizer, NSD360A HSI, KR22 marker beacon, and a KLN90B GPS.

BEACON AVIATION OF MICHIGAN
Continued from page 23

here, which isn't bad. The people at the Detroit FSDO were
fantastic. We had our repair station in record time for the state
of Michigan. It only took months versus what could take years
in some cases to get a repair station. They accommodated us
and made it happen, and it was just fantastic."
The shortage of experienced, knowledgeable technicians
continues to stifle business growth for Cooper and other shops
in the area. A local avionics technician training program
closed several years ago, contributing to the shortage.
"Lansing Community College used to have an avionics
program," he said. "There has been some talk about getting the
program up and running again so we can have some schooling
for these kids. We're willing to work with the college on that.
In the meantime, I'm facing some new challenges with youth,
trying to train kids and get them up to speed. Some of our
experienced people have retired."
Using EEDirect
According to Cooper, there's one thing that makes
his job easier - AEA's online avionics marketplace.
Called EEDirect, short for Equipment Exchange Direct,
the marketplace allows AEA members to buy and sell
equipment, some 20,000 items each month.
"I love the EEDirect system," Cooper said. "We use it
quite a bit especially on some of the bigger jobs. I just sold a
KI-229 radio magnetic indicator that we took out of a Beech
Baron. A lot of times, I pull out bad equipment and it goes
into our archives for parts, but we put the good stuff online."
24

avionics news

*

january

2014

Beacon Aviation uses EEDirect to buy equipment, too.
During the last five years, Cooper has seen the business
change with customers preferring repairs and used
equipment over new installations. Now, there seems to be
fewer aircraft overall in the area.
"A lot of aircraft are being sold and leaving the state,"
Cooper said. "I think it's the economy, especially in
Michigan. People feel like they can't afford to operate
their airplanes anymore. Everyone's worried about fuel
costs and other expenses. We're seeing a lot of the aircraft
going down south, even to Brazil and other parts of South
America. The market's hot and they're paying good
money, too. Even so, we do what we can - provide a very
high-level of service and keep our invoices reasonable." q



Avionics News January 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News January 2014

Point of Communication
AEA Now
The View From Washington
International News and Regulatory Updates
The In Crowd
Member Profile
Sales and Service
A Conversation With...
Make Way for LCDs
Lithium Batteries 101
Member Profile
Autopilot Upgrades
Aviation Aces
NCATT Becomes Part of ASTM International
Essential Documentation
What Do Dealers Want?
Legal Ease
Business Basics
What's New
Marketplace Classifieds
Avionics News January 2014 - Intro
Avionics News January 2014 - Cover1
Avionics News January 2014 - Cover2
Avionics News January 2014 - 1
Avionics News January 2014 - 2
Avionics News January 2014 - 3
Avionics News January 2014 - Point of Communication
Avionics News January 2014 - 5
Avionics News January 2014 - AEA Now
Avionics News January 2014 - 7
Avionics News January 2014 - 8
Avionics News January 2014 - 9
Avionics News January 2014 - 10
Avionics News January 2014 - 11
Avionics News January 2014 - The View From Washington
Avionics News January 2014 - 13
Avionics News January 2014 - International News and Regulatory Updates
Avionics News January 2014 - 15
Avionics News January 2014 - 16
Avionics News January 2014 - 17
Avionics News January 2014 - The In Crowd
Avionics News January 2014 - 19
Avionics News January 2014 - 20
Avionics News January 2014 - 21
Avionics News January 2014 - Member Profile
Avionics News January 2014 - 23
Avionics News January 2014 - 24
Avionics News January 2014 - 25
Avionics News January 2014 - Sales and Service
Avionics News January 2014 - 27
Avionics News January 2014 - 28
Avionics News January 2014 - 29
Avionics News January 2014 - 30
Avionics News January 2014 - 31
Avionics News January 2014 - A Conversation With...
Avionics News January 2014 - 33
Avionics News January 2014 - Make Way for LCDs
Avionics News January 2014 - 35
Avionics News January 2014 - 36
Avionics News January 2014 - 37
Avionics News January 2014 - Lithium Batteries 101
Avionics News January 2014 - 39
Avionics News January 2014 - 40
Avionics News January 2014 - 41
Avionics News January 2014 - Member Profile
Avionics News January 2014 - 43
Avionics News January 2014 - 44
Avionics News January 2014 - 45
Avionics News January 2014 - Autopilot Upgrades
Avionics News January 2014 - 47
Avionics News January 2014 - 48
Avionics News January 2014 - 49
Avionics News January 2014 - 50
Avionics News January 2014 - 51
Avionics News January 2014 - Aviation Aces
Avionics News January 2014 - 53
Avionics News January 2014 - NCATT Becomes Part of ASTM International
Avionics News January 2014 - 55
Avionics News January 2014 - Essential Documentation
Avionics News January 2014 - 57
Avionics News January 2014 - What Do Dealers Want?
Avionics News January 2014 - 59
Avionics News January 2014 - Legal Ease
Avionics News January 2014 - 61
Avionics News January 2014 - Business Basics
Avionics News January 2014 - 63
Avionics News January 2014 - 64
Avionics News January 2014 - 65
Avionics News January 2014 - What's New
Avionics News January 2014 - 67
Avionics News January 2014 - 68
Avionics News January 2014 - 69
Avionics News January 2014 - Marketplace Classifieds
Avionics News January 2014 - 71
Avionics News January 2014 - 72
Avionics News January 2014 - Cover3
Avionics News January 2014 - Cover4
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