Consumer Electronics is Born
Loren and Susan Friedle establish Consumer Electronics, initially providing a range of electronic products and services including burglar alarms, CB radios, microwave ovens, and other consumer electronics.
A Legacy Built on Doing Things the Right Way
CE Avionics began as a family business in 1970, founded by Loren and Susan Friedle with a commitment to technical expertise, quality workmanship, and taking care of their customers.
In 1972, they established CE Avionics at Sanford Airport, where the company began building the relationships and reputation they have sustained for more than five decades.
Karen Friedle and Chris Friedle grew up in the family business, learning not only the technical and operational sides of aviation, but also the principles their parents relied on to build a successful company. Those lessons shaped how CE Avionics treats its customers, supports its employees, and approaches every job.
Today, the next generation of leadership carries those principles forward, protecting what made CE Avionics successful while continuing to expand its capabilities for the future.
More than 50 years later, the philosophy remains simple: do things the right way and stand behind the work.
The Values Behind Our Reputation
Knowledgeable
Our collective knowledge in avionics is one of our greatest strengths. We share our education, training, and experience to strengthen our technical capabilities and find the best solutions for our customers.
The Value of a Reputation
A good reputation takes decades to build and must be earned every day. We protect ours through integrity, responsiveness, quality workmanship, and standing behind the work we do.
Do What It Takes
The customer doesn’t care whose job it is, and neither do we. We step beyond titles and job descriptions to meet our customers’ needs and our company’s commitments.
The Next Generation of Leadership
More than 50 years after CE Avionics was founded, the company remains family-operated and owner-led. Today, Karen Friedle-McKinnon, Christopher Friedle, and Michael Hughes carry that legacy forward, combining decades of experience with a shared responsibility to protect what CE Avionics has built while continuing to grow its capabilities for the future.
Karen Friedle-McKinnon
President & CEO
CE AvionicsKaren grew up in the family business her parents founded, and joined CE Avionics full-time in 1988. Today, she leads the company’s business operations and financial strategy while helping preserve the reputation for quality, integrity, and customer service that has defined CE Avionics.
Before joining CE Avionics, Karen worked in public accounting with Ernst & Whinney. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and remains active in the aviation community through the Central Florida Business Aviation Association.
Chris Friedle
Vice President & Chief of Operations
CE AvionicsChris combines his technical avionics experieince with a passion for finding better ways to serve CE Avionics customers. He oversees technician training and the continued expansion of the company’s service capabilities.
A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. in Avionics Technology, Chris gained experience with Raytheon Aircraft Services and Atlantic Aero before bringing that knowledge back to the family business. His forward-thinking approach also led to the development of CE Avionics’ Mobile Service Vans in the 1990s.
Mike Hughes
Vice President & Chief Inspector
CE AvionicsMike has been part of CE Avionics since 1980 and has worked in virtually every area of the business, giving him an exceptional understanding of both the technical work performed in the shop and the standards required of an FAA-certified repair station.
As Chief Inspector, Mike oversees regulatory compliance and helps ensure CE Avionics’ commitment to quality is reflected in every job. He holds a B.S. in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and works closely with FAA representatives.
1970
First Airport Location Opens
Consumer Electronics establishes its first location at Sanford Airport. In addition to selling burglar alarms, CB radios, microwave ovens, and other electronic products, CE began working on and selling aircraft avionics, laying the foundation for what would become CE Avionics.
1972
1978
Aviation Becomes the Focus
As the aviation side of the business continues to grow, the company begins marketing itself as CE Avionics, emphasizing complete aircraft avionics sales, installation, and panel fabrication. Early advertisements showcase a full-service approach to supporting both piston and turbine aircraft.
Second Airport Facility
CE Avionics relocates to its second airport facility, a former Navy base fire station and garage. The original garage served as the company’s hangar before a dedicated hangar addition was constructed.
1980
1985
Growing Team & Reputation
As demand increased, CE Avionics expanded its team of technicians and established a reputation for quality avionics installations throughout Florida and beyond. Historic advertisements from this era reflect the company’s growing capabilities.
Mobile Service Takes Flight
Led by Chris Friedle’s vision to bring CE Avionics’ expertise directly to customers, the company introduces its Mobile Service Vans, expanding its ability to provide avionics service beyond the Sanford shop.
1990
1991
Company-Owned Piper Comanche
The company-owned Piper Comanche became a familiar sight outside the CE Avionics facility and reflected the team’s passion for aviation while supporting flight operations and customer demonstrations.
A New Home at Sanford Airport
CE Avionics moves into its current purpose-built office and hangar facility. Designed specifically for modern avionics installations and aircraft service, the new headquarters provides room for continued growth and an improved customer experience
2000
2026
Continuing the Legacy
More than five decades after opening its first airport location, CE Avionics continues to serve aircraft owners with advanced avionics upgrades, repairs, inspections, and installation services while remaining committed to the craftsmanship and customer service that built its reputation.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Another avionics shop couldn't get my new avionics working properly. Took my plane to CE. CE got the job done!! Found the issues. Got them fixed. I'm in the air flying with a Full Glass New Avionics upgrade thanks to CE!
Bobby Killingsworth
02:32 18 Jun 26
My Century 2000 autopilot stopped working. CE Avionics are one of the few avionics shops that can still diagnose and repair faults with this unit. The whole experience from start to finish was helpful and positive. They replied immediately to my email unlike one other shop I contacted. The unit was repaired and I picked the plane up 3 days after I had left it with CE Avionics. I would recommend them and I intend to use them in the future.
Chris S.
20:45 17 Jun 26
Excellent service and our go to for Avionics needs. Cannot thank CE and their crew for always providing top tier service to us and our community.
Jason Lopez
17:05 17 Jun 26
Super helpful staff. Very informative and really nice. I will definitely use them again in the future!
Rob McGrath
21:23 01 Jun 26
On time delivery of parts and certification and excellent support during installation.
Edward Grindrod
08:37 12 Nov 25
cheryl mcphillips
15:20 11 Nov 25
We have used CE Avionics for decades now, and their service and support staff is excellent in all respects. When managing eight different types of jet aircraft, it is a comfort to be able to have excellent avionics support at hand! Thank you to the CE team, and keep up the great work!
Robert Jones
19:17 22 Jul 24
CE Avionics solved a Garmin/auto pilot problem in my Citation 501 that three others companies failed to solve, and they solved it within a few days. Great work.
Don Williams
17:00 04 Jul 24
Had substantial work done on my Citation CJ1+ replacing FMS, FSU, installing a data loader, and replacing my Garmin 500 with a new Avidyne IFD. Bill, Paul, and their team did excellent work. They even sent a service crew to my hangar afterword to correct a small issue. Great people and organization.
Julie Gilardi
17:38 03 Jul 24
A MUST HAVE contact for anyone operating a BENDIX FGS-70 Autopilot… Great work and on time 👍🏼
daniel licona
16:51 03 Jul 24
Dirk and his team provided me with an excellent customer experience. They were on time taking the job into their shop, communication was on point and the job was done right the first time. I highly recommend CE Avionics.
William Whelan
15:49 24 May 24
Always providing a great service!!
Alexsandro Nogueira
13:46 16 Apr 23
We have been using the services of CE Avionics, Inc. for more than 12 years on our Gulfstream. They have always been prompt with scheduling, and get the issues corrected the first time.
wilbranka
20:32 23 Dec 22
No need to look further. CE Avionics is the best Avionics Shop I have ever dealt with. I have a fleet of 11 aircraft at a flight school and manage 3 medium size jets. They are on the ball, wether it is a Cessna 172 or a Falcon 2000. Always very available and focused on customer satisfaction....rare to find these days.
Piercarlo Ciacchi
11:29 22 Dec 22
The staff is very knowledgeable and professional in their work … the field tech for our needs was Tony and he was super to work with and got all our problems remedied quickly …
John Fletcher
19:19 21 Dec 22
Always prompt knowledgeable service. A pleasure to do business with !
Denny Parsons
17:38 21 Dec 22
Convenient professional service. He came right to the hangar did the transponder check signed the paperwork. Perfect!
Dell Foley
17:27 21 Dec 22
Thank you for taking care of my issues in a matter of hours while visiting, you guys are the best!!!
Francisco Campa
01:26 21 Dec 22
CE is a great place to get you plane fixed
Steve Travers
19:53 20 Dec 22
Outstanding service from Brian. He is very knowledgeable, possesses an excellent work ethic, arrives on time and ready to work. I recommend him without reservation.
Wes Crouch - NOAA Federal
17:13 20 Dec 22
On time and price as quoted. Thanks
Michael Zielke
17:01 20 Dec 22
Professional bunch of guys
edd conn
16:31 20 Dec 22
CE was a great help with resolving an autopilot issue on our Cessna 414A. Chris went above and beyond to make sure that everything worked as it should.
Melvin Teal
16:14 20 Dec 22
Had to order a simple battery for an Aspen 1000 and Mary in Parts took care of it ASAP. Thank you Mary!
Robert Towe
15:19 20 Dec 22
Great attitude and work ethic.
Hector Laurie Ramirez
15:15 20 Dec 22
Good service & great people
David Scott
19:25 15 Nov 21
Jack Flinn
23:20 10 May 21
Awesome shop! Auto pilot repair that two other shops were unable to properly diagnose and repair. CE was spot on with the diagnosis and repaired the Century IV. My flight home was flawless and IFR approach was spot on.
BR Team
22:42 11 Apr 21
Nice avionics Shop
Shiraz Souliman
18:23 22 Jan 20
Great People Ross The Best
Eugenio Carrasquillo
16:51 06 Aug 19
Ryan Knott
16:43 13 Feb 19
Tia Vermast
23:34 27 Aug 18
Went there for my ADS-B Transponder, and GPS database update.They work quickly and knowledgeable, fair prices. I would definitely recommend CE Avionics for all Instrument needs.
Carlos Pereda
19:58 21 Nov 16
Experience the CE Avionics Difference
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