The Aircraft Electronics Association’s second-quarter 2015 Avionics Market Report shows that avionics sales for business and light aircraft climbed 3.1 percent during the second quarter of 2015 over the first quarter, but decreased year-over-year by 8.5 percent (first half of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014). Both forward-fit and retrofit avionics sales reached a total of more than $1.192 billion in the first half of 2015. This included $568 million in retrofit activity and $624 million in forward-fit sales. In that period, 64.5 percent of sales were in the U.S. and Canada and 35.5 percent in the rest of the world.

"While there was a general improvement of 3.1 percent in the second quarter when compared to the first three months of the year, a decrease in year-over-year sales may indicate that the industry is facing some economic challenges," said AEA president Paula Derks. "The report also shows that a significant portion of the year-over-year decline in sales dollars is taking place in international markets outside the U.S. and Canada, and perhaps the strength of the U.S. dollar is having an impact on sales in those regions.” The avionics market report is based on net sales prices for cockpit and cabin hardware and software, portable units and noncertified aircraft electronics, as well as all other hardware, batteries and chargeable product upgrades. Not included are repairs, overhauls, extended warranties or subscription services.