Avionics News July 2016 - 4

Putting the Part 23
rewrite in perspective

aving just returned from the AEA International
of customers expect, and we have to find ways to deliver.
Convention & Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, I
How will the Part 23 rewrite help accomplish this? Well,
have to say that this year's event was pretty lively. There
first off it's going to enable manufacturers to gain approvals
was the usual chatter about ADS-B: primarily how to get
through demonstrating process-based performance rather
customers to comply. But there was a growing conversation
than having to follow specific articles of compliance. Let's
about how the pending Part 23 rewrite will impact the avionface it: Most of the current requirements are very prescriptive and were written long before you could put a computer
ics business.
in your pocket. Simulation, testing and validation have come
What I am most excited about is that the Part 23 rewrite
a long way, and we need to put that to good use.
is an FAA-led, industry-wide effort to streamline the entire
The new Part 23 will allow us to look at how
certification process for everything that goes
we meet a set of guidelines through a product's
in an aircraft. When it's all done, I feel the
specific demonstrated performance. That should
Part 23 rewrite will unlock the next wave of
eliminate a lot of the current testing requirements,
truly innovative avionics.
which not only speeds up the certification process
For too long, our industry, for one reason
but also allows manufacturers to introduce new
or another, but mainly due to the constraints
of certified avionics, has been a "me-too"
products faster.
To me, the Part 23 rewrite is an important and
business. The Part 23 rewrite will change
prudent first step in that direction. But it is not a
all that. It will encourage companies to get
John Uczekaj
magic wand for approvals. Not everything is going
innovative and introduce products that offer
to get easier. The new Part 23 will still be the gateincreased capabilities, improved flight safety,
keeper that puts safety at the forefront of everything we do.
and, of particular importance to our company, unleash our
Going from a regulatory- to performance-based approval
ability to take a more creative approach to introducing the
system will update many of today's out-of-date and unpronext great thing that will help attract new people into the
ductive requirements for certification that are currently
world of private aviation - all of which will pay huge dividends for pilots and avionics dealers while improving the
keeping some very new, very beneficial and very exciting
overall safety of flying.
capabilities out of light GA aircraft cockpits.
Being able to take a more creative approach will be a
No, the Part 23 rewrite isn't perfect, but I applaud the
major driver to attracting the next generation of pilots and the
FAA for being open to the idea of a better way. And with
revitalization of our industry. We have to find ways to make
luck, persistence and innovation, that will open the door to a
flying more fun, and from an avionics perspective, this means
better future for us all. q
delivering mainstream capabilities into an aircraft's cockpit.
By mainstream capabilities, I am, of course, talking
about connectivity and the social aspects they represent to
JOHN UCZEKAJ
millennials. We have to follow the lead of today's carmakers.
President and CEO, Aspen Avionics
It's almost impossible to find a new car that doesn't offer
Albuquerque, New Mexico
some kind of connectivity. That's what our new generation

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