AEA's 2010 Rate & Labor Survey Forecasts Growing Need for Avionics Technicians, Business Growth into 2011

LEE'S SUMMIT, MO - The Aircraft Electronics Association released the results from its 2010 Rate & Labor Survey this week to participating AEA member companies. The complete AEA Rate & Labor Survey will be available in October online at www.aea.net

In comparing this year's annual survey results with the 2009 Rate & Labor Survey, the AEA discovered a promising business outlook for the remainder of 2010 and into 2011.

Of those repair stations responding to this year's survey, 50 percent said they expect their business to increase this year, and 42 percent expect their business to at least remain the same. Only 8 percent expect a decrease in business, compared to 15 percent of respondents expecting a decrease in operations last year.

With the anticipated growth, repair stations are turning to the rotorcraft market for alternative revenue streams. As revealed by AEA members, this segment of the market is rising; members performing work on rotorcraft is up 11 percent this year.,/p>

The 2010 Rate & Labor survey also indicates future hiring will increase dramatically. The number of technicians needed across all disciplines is up nearly 40 percent compared to 2009. While the majority of repair stations still believe economic conditions are negatively impacting their business, the numbers have subsided since 2009.

"All in all, the results from this year's Rate & Labor Survey are a welcome sign that business is improving, repair stations need additional avionics technicians, and the outlook for growth is trending upward," said Paula Derks, president of the AEA.

This annual survey, which is distributed to AEA members at no charge as one of their membership benefits, examines and compares shop and labor rates by national and international regions. It also shows employee benefit/compensation package information, a profile of technician experience, regional employment demand, and a new business outlook perspective.

Non-AEA members can purchase the 2010 Rate & Labor Survey results, available digitally, for $129. For more information, contact Mike Adamson, vice president of member programs and education for the AEA, at 816-347-8400 or at www.aea.net

The Aircraft Electronics Association represents more than 1,300 repair stations from throughout the world specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. AEA membership also includes manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.