Hello everyone and welcome to the combined November and December issue of AMT magazine. This issue is our annual Product Showcase and also includes a Tool & Equipment Supplement. I am sure you will find the comprehensive listing and description of the many featured products and tools of value to you in your aircraft maintenance role.
This issue’s Tool & Equipment Supplement features an article intended to update you on regulatory issues relating to workplace fall protection. Fall protection as you are keenly aware is an important item for anyone working at an elevated height, which many aircraft maintenance technicians do on a regular basis. The article, titled “New Fall Protection Standards,” was written by Arnold Galpin and he explains some of the recent regulatory developments within Occupational and Safety Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) relating to fall protection regulations and their potential effect on the aviation industry.
Tom Hendershot honored
Congratulations go out to Tom Hendershot executive director of AMTSociety, who last month was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame. Hendershot began his lifetime career in aviation after his first airplane ride as a youngster. His path progressed through chief flight instructor, line pilot for a commuter airline, and he held several maintenance related positions with Frontier Airlines. He holds FAA mechanic and pilot certificates and numerous ratings. In January 2007 Hendershot became the executive director of AMTSociety and since has led the growth of the organization to more than 2,800 members. Tom has also overseen the expansion of the growing aircraft maintenance skills competition, held annually as part of the Cygnus Aviation Expo.
Tom’s involvement with the aircraft maintenance industry led to the many nominations submitted on his behalf to the Colorado Aviation Historical Society. Earlier this year Hendershot was awarded the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) Meritorious Achievement Award, and he is one of only a handful of people to have earned both the prestigious Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic and the Wright Brothers Master Pilot awards. All of us here at AMT magazine are proud to be associated with Tom and the efforts of AMTSociety.
Maintenance Committee meetings
I attended the NBAA’s annual convention last month in Atlanta, GA. Attendance is reported to have been better than last year with more than 1,000 exhibitors and more than 90 aircraft at the static display area. Several companies that I spoke with expressed a positive outlook, with some stating their business was good. This was balanced by many other comments of business activity, including aircraft maintenance activity, to still be slow. The conclusion appears to be one of cautiousness, with slow business improvement over the next couple years.
A first for me, I attended both the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) Aircraft Maintenance and System Technology Committee and the NBAA Maintenance Committee meetings. These two groups, although they have slightly different missions, both take their role in our industry seriously, and from what I observed are doing excellent work for the aircraft maintenance technician and for the business of aircraft maintenance.
This will be the last issue of AMT for 2010. I had the honor of writing this column for all but one issue. I look forward to next year as AMT continues to provide you with the same great content in 2011.
Keep ‘em flying, Ron
