Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

The FAA has formally recognized the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) credential as meeting the agency’s requirements for training to show eligibility for issuance of a repairman certificate.
In 2025, the AEA <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2025-03-18/aea-launches-caet-technician-certification-program">introduced</a> the CAET program. To become a repairman, a person can either accumulate 18 months of related practical experience or complete formal training, for which the CAET now qualifies.
“The CAET certification program has been thoroughly reviewed and found to effectively demonstrate the knowledge base of technicians while assessing the competencies of each qualified individual,” wrote Jackie Black, manager of the FAA’s Aircraft Maintenance Division, in a letter to the AEA. “We conclude that the CAET certification program provides current, comprehensive, and rigorous assessments, and is an acceptable [alternate method of compliance]. As such, it meets the intent of the regulatory requirements outlined in 14 CFR § 65.101(a)(5)(ii) for the issuance of a repairman’s certificate.”
“The CAET represents the next generation of aircraft electronics technician certification and signals the start of a technical and professional journey for avionics integrators,” said Mike Adamson, AEA president and CEO.
“This recognition culminates the efforts of an ASTM task group convened in 2024 to modernize the legacy standard to reflect the evolving technical complexity of avionics systems and the operational needs of Part 145 repair stations,” said Ric Peri, AEA v-p of government and industry affairs.

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FAA Grants Recognition of AEA Tech Training for Repairman Certificate

CAET program is an acceptable alternative method of compliance

To become a repairman, a person can either accumulate 18 months of related practical experience or complete formal training, for which the CAET now qualifies.

FAA Recognizes AEA Training for Repairman Certificate

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