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WICHITA, Kan. — The Aircraft Electronics Association presented the 2006 AEA Lifetime Achievement Award to John Winter at the 49th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Palm Springs, California on April 20th. “I speak on behalf of the AEA staff, board of directors and membership, when I applaud John for the many years of service and dedication to this industry,” stated AEA President Paula Derks. “John’s innovative gyro designs and his willingness to ‘give back to his industry’ surely earned him the highest honor the Aircraft Electronics Association bestows upon an individual.” John Winter began his aviation career in the late 1950s with an RPI degree in mechanical engineering, and then received a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Yale University. He is recognized as a pioneer in the field of aviation gyros. In the early 1960s, Winter helped develop one of the first ARC autopilots for general aviation during his tenure as chief engineer at Aviation Instrument Manufacturing Corp., known as AIM. In 1980 John Winter purchased Mid-Continent Instruments, which at the time employed only 16 people. He focused solely on service work for aircraft instruments. The company enjoyed significant growth throughout the 1980s and ‘90s and added a branch office in Van Nuys, California. Today, the company is run by his son, Todd Winter, and has over 170 employees between two locations. New manufactured equipment comprises 50% of the company’s business. Throughout his career, Winter has been a strong supporter and active participant in the AEA and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). He served on the AEA board as a regional director, then 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.
Mid-Continent Instruments manufactures aircraft instruments for the general aviation industry. Services at the Wichita, Kansas facility include developing and manufacturing new avionics products. Mid-Continent Instruments West in Van Nuys, California provides new instrument sales and is the top-rated instrument overhaul shop on the west coast. For additional information, visit the company website at http://www.mcico.com.
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