State of AMTSociety Address
On behalf of AMTSociety, the board of directors, and staff, I would like to wish you good health and happiness during the year ahead!
As you know, our industry has not been immune to the impact of the recession. The good news is that we believe aviation is on the upswing and we are part of the solution. The skills and dedication of our aircraft maintenance professionals set us apart. Each of us lives and breathes our industry and I am sure you share my belief that we will not only survive, but thrive, during the months and years to come.
AMTSociety has existed to serve your IA renewal needs for four years by offering quality education programs in convenient locations. Our relationship with the FAA has ensured our ongoing ability to meet your continuing education hours.
Please note that due to the current economic conditions, we will be introducing an $18 IA renewal fee for all registrations received after Dec. 31, 2010. The fee will be payable online or during on-site registration of the event. My team will continue to work diligently in maintaining a program that offers great value and convenience to our members.
I appreciate your continued commitment to AMTSociety and promise, individually and as an organization, we remain committed to promoting, protecting, and enhancing our craft and the aviation industry.Be safe.
— Tom Hendershot
Ground operations
As winter gets in to full swing across the country, as mechanics we should be aware of its impact on our surface operations at the airport. Operating on a snow or ice-covered surface — either in a ground vehicle or an aircraft — requires an extra degree of caution. Movement of ground equipment should be done in a manner that allows you to avoid sliding or skidding into other equipment or aircraft, or skidding across hold lines.
Extreme caution also is required/needed when towing an aircraft due to the added weight, and the fact that most of the time you are relying solely on the braking action of the tug to stop both the aircraft and the tug. On wet, slick, or icy surfaces, the aircraft in tow can suddenly jackknife out of control as you turn or attempt to stop. The same cautions must also be adhered to when taxiing on aircraft in these conditions.
When diminished braking action is present, the aircraft can slide off taxiways and/or runways if one is not careful. When you are taxiing and approaching hold lines and turns, be sure to use minimal speed to ensure your ability to come to a stop prior to the hold line or to avoid skidding off the taxiway. Another very important factor, as with all ground operations, keep your eyes outside the cockpit while taxiing and be sure to adhere to all ATC instructions.
Toolbox raffle
To support the AMTSociety Scholarship Awards program, Snap-on Industrial is donating a $2,500 seven-drawer toolbox, Model KRA4107D, along with $2,500 Snap-on tools of the winner’s choice. Measuring 40” x 20”, the toolbox will be awarded to the winner of a drawing following the Maintenance Skills Competition on Feb. 25, 2011 in Las Vegas. The winner can decide on the color along with $2,500 worth of Snap-on tools of his or her choice.
The cost of the tickets is one for $5 or three for $10 and is tax deductible as the scholarship fund is under 501(c)3 status. Tickets will be available at IA seminars, Cygnus Aviation Expo, and from the board of directors.
Mark your calendars
2010-2011 IA Roadshow
Please take the time to review the schedule below, and keep in mind that this training is not just for the holders of Inspection Authorization but for all personnel involved in the aircraft maintenance process. The previous IA renewals have been well attended and we appreciate you taking the time to attend and benefit from the speakers and training that we provide. If you are going to attend, please preregister so we can plan accordingly.
Feb. 16, 2011, Kansas City, MO
Feb. 23-24, 2011, Aviation Industry Expo, Las Vegas
March 16, 2011, Aurora, CO
April 9, 2011, ATEC Annual Meeting & FAA/DME Renewal, Orlando, FL
AMTSociety scholarships
At the December board of directors’ meeting, it was unanimously decided that notification will be sent to each of the winners upon the committee’s selection. That will give the recipient of each award the chance to attend (at their expense) the Cygnus Aviation Expo to be held in Las Vegas where the winners will be formally announced on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011. Contact Joseph C. Hawkins, scholarship chairman or Tom Hendershot for additional information.
AMTSociety would like to thank Michael A. Molzahn for his very gracious donation again this year to the scholarship program. It is very much appreciated. This is one way we can give the students today the financial help to keep this great industry trained and well-prepared.
Maintenance Skills Competition
The AMTSociety’s 4th Annual Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC) will be held in just a few short weeks, Feb. 23 -25th, 2011. It is again being held in Las Vegas during the Cygnus Aviation Expo. The MSC has grown from just nine teams in 2008 to 15 teams in 2010 to 25 teams in 2011. There doesn’t seem to be a slow down in the interest in companies, organizations, or individuals teaming up who want to compete.
The 2011 MSC will again see the return of international teams from China and Australia as well as a scheduled team of AMTs forming Team Mexico! The 2011 MSC will see the entry of some new teams most notably Team Boeing, Team Alaska, and Team UPS. But there is also an entrant that is competing to show the industry that they are serious about the AMT craft and profession. This team is the Association of Maintenance Professionals (AMP) and they are currently in the process of trying to represent the AMT craft and class at American Airlines. MSC provides an opportunity to showcase the knowledge, skill, and integrity each and every AMT/AME possesses in order to provide safe, airworthy aircraft.
As the chairman for the MSC it is my honor to assemble the events for the MSC, which would not be possible without the support of the companies who supply the events, but my privilege to be associated with the many men and women who compete in each and every MSC! See you in Las Vegas!
— Ken MacTiernan, Director AMTSociety,
Chairman MSC Corporate Sponsors: Bell Helicopter
Founded in 1935 as Bell Aircraft Corp., Bell continues to set the pace for the industry and expand the scope of vertical lift. Bell Helicopter was the first to obtain certification for a commercial helicopter. Over its rich history, Bell has delivered more than 35,000 aircraft to its customers around the world.
With forward thinking in advanced concepts, Bell Helicopter invented tilt rotor aircraft. These unique aircraft lift like a helicopter, then fly like an airplane with twice the speed, three times the payload, and five times the range of traditional helicopters.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, Bell Helicopter has additional plants in Amarillo, TX, and Mirabel, Canada. It maintains key logistics supply and service centers in Europe, Canada, and Singapore as well as in the United States.
Dassault Falcon
Dassault Falcon is responsible for selling and supporting Falcon business jets throughout the world. It is part of Dassault Aviation, with a presence in more than 70 countries across five continents. Dassault Aviation produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcon business jets.
The company has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities on multiple continents. It employs a total work force of more than 12,000. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, 2,000 Falcon jets have been delivered to 67 countries worldwide. The family of Falcon jets currently in production includes the tri-jets — the Falcon 900EX EASy, 900LX, and the 7X — as well as the twin-engine Falcon 2000LX.
Falcon Customer Service provides product support and assistance to operators of all Falcons, from legacy aircraft to the most modern models. Call anytime at: (201) 541-4747 or (33) 1 4711 3737.
