FAA Approved IA Maintenance Renewal Program @ the NWAC.
With our amazing exhibitors we are fortunate to have access to the wide knowledge base of National industry and government experts.
Each year the WAA team designs a unique series of FAA approved maintenance seminars .
Saturday's seminars will allow for the 8 hour refresher requirements.
Registration Open
$35.00 includes IA Renewal certificate and admission both days of the Conference. Bring picture ID.
Saturday- Check in and ID verification begins at 7:00 AM
Registered IA's attending the maintenance classes will earn credits toward certificate renewal. Attendees must pre-register for the event online, by phone or email. IA's must show picture ID at registration and are required to have registration card stamped at the close of each hour attended. If you do not have stamp we cannot verify your attendence in each session.
8 hours available SATURDAY - MUST BE IN CLASS BY 8:00 AM FOR IA RENEWAL CERTIFICATE. One hour available Sunday.
SATURDAY | 2026 Schedule
8:00 AM Room C | Founders
High Performance Brake and Wheels
Billy James, Beringer Aero
James has an Airframe and Powerplant technician certificate with an Inspection Authorization (IA) rating and over 35 years of experience. He earned a degree in Aviation Technology from Greenville Technical College and has worked in aircraft maintenance since 1987. He holds five jet school specialty certificates, has built nine experimental aircraft, and is a commercial pilot with airplane single-engine land (ASEL) and private airplane single-engine sea (ASES) ratings, as well as an instrument rating. James has endorsements for tailwheel, jets, and aerobatic flying. He was also an ultralight flight instructor for USUA, providing over 1,000 hours of instruction. He has been flying since 1985, has owned four aircraft, and logged over 2,500 flight hours.
9:00 AM | Room C | Founders
Assessing Alterations for Avionics Installations in Legacy GA Aircraft
Lyle Jansma, Six Pack Aero
An overview of some of the considerations involved with installing today’s modern avionics. With outdated guidance and ever evolving technology and avionics form factors, there are several considerations regarding whether alterations required to fit desired avionics upgrades are major or minor. Lyle will walk through the existing guidance, review industry standard references for decision making, and look at who ultimately is responsible for ensuring that avionics installations are completed in a manner that leaves the aircraft airworthy and, most importantly, safe for those who fly them. Six Pack Aero is a FAA Part 145 Repair Station specializing in avionics and airframe upgrades on legacy Cessna aircraft.
10:15 AM Room C | Founders
Logbook Do's & Dont's - Notes from the Field"
Jon McLaughlin, CEO, TBX (Airworthy.com)
Drawing on insights from hundreds of shops, maintainers, inspectors, and schools, this session distills the best—and worst—practices in aircraft maintenance logbook entries. Attendees will learn 20 practical rules, see real-world examples, and participate in a discussion to share experiences and fill in any gaps. This talk is essential for anyone involved in documenting or reviewing maintenance records. Jon McLaughlin is CEO of TBX (Airworthy.com), providing software tools that simplify record-keeping for the GA maintenance community. He has held leadership roles at Intterra, Erickson Air Crane, and Pan Am World Services. A private pilot based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jon brings hands-on aviation experience and a passion for practical, real-world solutions in aircraft maintenance documentation.
11:30 AM Room C | Founders
Tire Maintenance and Aircraft Safety
Randy Hedrick, Customer Support Engineer, Michelin Aircraft Tire
Aircraft tires operate under extreme load and speed conditions, yet their role in aircraft safety is often underestimated. This session highlights the importance of proper tire maintenance, covering common causes of tire-related events, the effects of under- and over-inflation, recommended inflation practices, and the impact of ambient temperature. The course is intended for pilots, maintenance technicians, ground personnel, and flight students. Randy Hedrick is a Customer Support Engineer with Michelin Aircraft Tire and has more than 27 years of experience in tire production, design, and aviation support. His background includes ultra-high-performance tire manufacturing, tire design at the Michelin R&D Center, and over seven years supporting General Aviation through training, inspections, and in-service evaluations. He previously served as a C-141 jet engine mechanic in the U.S. Air Force.
Lunch from 12-1:30 — please visit exhibits
1:30 PM Room C | Founders
Nose Gear Shimmy: Causes, Prevention, and Effective Solutions
John Cowan, Business Development, McFarlane Aviation, LLC
Nose gear shimmy is a common but often misunderstood issue that can lead to increased wear, handling concerns, and repeated maintenance actions. This seminar explains what nose gear shimmy is, what causes it, and why some fixes fail. Attendees will learn how factors such as tire condition, alignment, damping, and steering forces contribute to shimmy—and how proper inspection, rigging, and dampener selection can effectively prevent and eliminate it. John Cowan is part of the Business Development team at McFarlane Aviation, LLC, where he works closely with maintenance professionals to address real-world aircraft reliability and performance challenges. With hands-on industry experience and a practical approach to problem solving, John focuses on helping technicians understand the root causes of common issues and apply effective, long-term solutions.
Includes admission both days to Conference, reserved seat at all sessions, FAA certified certificate.
•••• NOTE: You will need to click on cart in lower right hand corner of screen to complete purchase. Here you will enter your name, address and email. Please be sure to enter your name as it appears on you FAA certificate if you wish to receive a certificate after the 8-Hour renewal. Sorry for the confusion! •••••
2:30 PM Room C | Founders
Engine Leaning for Mechanics
Bill Ross, Superior Air Parts
This session explores lean-of-peak and rich-of-peak engine operations and how mechanics can advise their customers safely and effectively. Using sound engineering principles and tested data, Bill Ross explains how these practices impact engine performance, reliability, and operational costs, relevant to Superior Air Parts, Continental, and Lycoming-powered aircraft. Bill Ross has nearly 40 years of experience in aviation, including flight instruction, corporate and charter flying, and A&P maintenance. Currently with Superior Air Parts, he previously held technical and engineering roles at a major piston engine manufacturer. Bill is the author of Engine Management 101 and was named the 2023 GAA National Aviation Technician of the Year.
3:30 PM Room C | Founders
The Future of Unleaded Fuel
George Braly, Head of Engineering, General Aviation Modifications, Inc. (GAMI)
This session explores the transition to unleaded aviation fuels, including GAMI’s G100UL, FAA-certified via STC for most piston engines and airframes. George Braly will share insights from over 15 years of research, formulation, and testing, covering engine performance, fuel behavior, and the path forward for widespread unleaded fuel adoption. George Braly is Head of Engineering at GAMI, a 10,000+ hour CFII, and a multi-discipline DER with a degree in aerospace engineering from Brown University. He has led world-class R&D on engines, fuels, and turbo systems at the Carl Goulet Memorial Engine Test Facility.
4:30 PM Room C | Founders
Tempest Spark Plug Design and Maintenance
Jeff Schans, Director of Sales, Tempest Aero Group
Spark plugs are a critical component in engine performance and reliability. This seminar covers spark plug design, materials, and application eligibility, as well as practical maintenance techniques including inspection, cleaning, gapping, rotation, and troubleshooting. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of proper procedures to maximize spark plug life and ensure consistent engine operation. Jeff Schans is the Director of Sales at Tempest Aero Group, with extensive experience in aircraft engine components and maintenance solutions. He specializes in spark plug design, application, and support, providing training and guidance to pilots, technicians, and aviation maintenance teams to ensure safe and reliable engine performance.
SUNDAY
10:15 AM | Room C | Founders
Fuel Level Accuracy in General Aviation “Why ‘close enough' fails”
Daniel Alm, Cies Corp
This presentation examines fuel quantity accuracy in general aviation from a maintenance-centered perspective. It explains why fuel indication should be treated as a measurement system rather than a single instrument, how normal maintenance activities can introduce subtle but dangerous errors, and why “close enough” is not an acceptable standard.Using operational context and accident trends, the session reinforces the IA’s role in maintaining not just hardware, but the accuracy and truthfulness of fuel information that pilots depend on in flight.
Priority will be given to pre-registered attendees.