September is upon us. Here in the upper Midwest of the United States, what seems like a short summer season is rapidly coming to a close. The summer was filled with a full schedule of activities, events, and picnics. One may easily wonder where the summer has gone as it seems like just yesterday spring began. As the old saying goes time flies when you’re having fun! My summer has taken me to a few local airport fly-ins and airshows, to Oshkosh, WI, for the EAA AirVenture, and a number of other excursions where I’ve had the pleasure to meet aircraft maintenance technicians and other aircraft maintenance professionals.
Last month I had the pleasure of attending a great summer picnic that was organized by a group of area corporate and business aircraft maintenance personnel here in Minnesota. Hundreds of maintenance people gathered to enjoy the camaraderie felt among aircraft maintenance folks, and many people from companies which support the business aviation community also attended. Staying actively engaged in the industry and meeting with the people who make up this industry is critical when it comes to providing you with up-to-date news and current technical articles. AMT continues its long tradition of providing our readership with technical articles written by industry professionals on a whole host of topics.
This month’s issue of AMT contains several technical articles relating to aircraft battery technology, battery testing, and test equipment, which have been written by people in the aviation industry. Also included in this month’s issue is an article describing a critical program which primarily relates to airline maintenance and inspection, the required inspection item or RII program. The article goes on to describe the important link between a RII program and the associated work turnover procedures. This issue’s Tools and Equipment Supplement focuses on nondestructive testing or NDT equipment. A seasoned nondestructive testing professional provides an article describing qualification and certification for NDT personnel.
Next month, Oct. 19 through 21, will be the National Business Aviation Association’s Annual Meeting and Convention held in Atlanta, GA. At the writing of this column, a quick review of the NBAA web site revealed a list of more than 800 exhibitors. Static display of aircraft will be located at DeKalb Peachtree Airport and allows attendees a chance to review a wide variety of business aircraft. An NBAA Maintenance Preview Supplement is included in this issue which highlights many of the NBAA maintenance related sessions and events taking place at this year’s convention.
Back in the office here at AMT we are working to finalize our plan for next year’s issues and travels. Perhaps our paths will cross somewhere around the aircraft maintenance industry. Take time for an end of the summer picnic. I hope you enjoy the issue and thanks for reading AMT. We’ll see you at NBAA next month, Ron.
