Future of GA Avionics Discussed at Oshkosh

July 12, 2018 — Technology is changing how we fly and the tools we use at a speed not seen before. At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018, founders and leaders in the avionics industry will be hosting a roundtable to talk about what they see as the next steps for the technology in your cockpit.

The executive roundtable will take place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, in the Aviation Gateway Park forum tent. It will focus on ADS-B, open-source development, GA/UAV crossover technology, and more.

Among the presenters are:

• John Torode, founder and CEO, Dynon — A serial entrepreneur, Torode founded Dynon after selling his previous startup to Cypress Semiconductor. Almost two decades later, his passion project is now the leader in light aircraft avionics. A lifelong pilot, Torode’s Murphy Moose, Cessna 180, and Beaver are all floatplanes.
• Andy Davis, founder and CEO, Trig Avionics — Davis founded Trig in 2004 and as CEO has established a company selling globally. With a background in software development, design, and engineering, Davis also has significant experience of setting up and running technology and data communication businesses. Davis is an experienced fixed-wing pilot with more than 4,000 hours, including single-engine and multi-engine piston aircraft, multi-engine turboprop, and jet type ratings.
• Phil Straub, executive vice president and managing director for aviation, Garmin — Straub graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's in electrical engineering. He holds an airline transport pilot certificate for multi-engine, as well as a flight instructor certificate with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument privileges. Prior to joining Garmin, Straub was a pilot and flight instructor at Executive Beechcraft and Baker’s Aircraft Center.
• Dan Schwinn, president and CEO, Avidyne — Schwinn founded Avidyne in 1995 to bring sophisticated electronic instrumentation to general aviation aircraft. Schwinn currently flies a TBM 850 and a Lake Renegade seaplane, and he is also type-rated in the Falcon 10 jet. He is a graduate of MIT and also a member of the Visiting Committee on Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT, a board member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the Small Aircraft Manufacturers Association (SAMA), and a director of EAA.
• Steve Sokol, founder and CEO, Open Flight Solutions — Sokol is a serial entrepreneur with an aviation fixation. After 20 years in telecom, Sokol is living the dream building avionics after founding Open Flight Solutions in 2016.       

This forum is part of EAA’s Innovations Day on July 24, which highlights new technology from throughout the aviation community. This will include displays, exhibits, forums, and aerial demonstrations of the latest technology for flight. These activities are all included with AirVenture admission.