The Aircraft Electronics Association recently announced the 2006 AEA Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to John Winter at the 49th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Palm Springs, Calif., later this month.
John Winter is a well-known figure in the general aviation industry. He began his aviation career in the late 1950s with a degree in electrical engineering, then received a master's degree in electrical engineering from Yale University.
In the early 1960s, Winter helped develop one of the first gyros for aviation during his tenure as chief engineer at Aviation Instrument Manufacturing Corp., known as AIM. He purchased Mid-Continent Instruments Co. in 1980, and relocated the company from Houston to Wichita, Kan.
Gradually growing the company from providing only instrument repair into both instrument manufacturing and repair, the company enjoyed significant growth throughout the 1980s and '90s. Today, the company has 170 employees and a branch office in Van Nuys, Calif.
Throughout his career, Winter has been a strong supporter and active participant in the Aircraft Electronics Association. He served on the AEA board of director as a regional director, advancing to the office of treasurer from 1994 to 2000. Winter was named AEA's Member of the Year in 1995. His company, Mid-Continent Instruments, was named AEA Associate Member of the Year in 2001.
Winter is being recognized by his industry peers as a pioneer in the field of aviation gyros, instrumentation and countless hours of volunteerism to the association and the general aviation industry.
John Winter will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the AEA Official Opening on Thursday morning, April 20, in the California Ballroom of the Wyndham Hotel in Palm Springs. Winter's family will be in attendance for the recognition.
For more information about the annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show, visit www.aea.net or call (816) 373-6565.The Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 aviation businesses, including repair stations that specialize 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, and educational institutions.
