A Quarter Century of AMT

Nov. 25, 2014

It’s time to celebrate! 25 years ago the first issue of this magazine, then titled Aircraft Technician, arrived in the mailboxes of aircraft maintenance professionals around the country. I’ve been proud to be involved for the last five years. One of the most important people involved with AMT over the years and today is my co-editor Barb Zuehlke. Barb has been a solid figure with AMT throughout the years. In this issue Barb provides us with a timeline of AMT which includes many of the people involved with our magazine over the past quarter century.

In this 25th anniversary issue several notable figures in the aviation and aircraft maintenance industry take a look back at the last quarter century of our industry from their own unique perspectives.

Steve Prentice takes a look back at his 25 years with AMT. Steve was one of the very first contributing writers to AMT and still is today.  

In 1990 Bill O’Brien began writing articles for AMT with inside information from his long employment with the FAA. Bill was by far the most popular writer we had over the years. His no-nonsense views were appreciated by many and today Bill’s articles are still the most requested.

Dr. Bill Johnson, chief scientific officer for Maintenance Human Factors with the FAA, reviews the last 25 years of aircraft maintenance human factors.

Pete Bunce, president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, looks back at a quarter century of general aviation.

Kelly Murphy recalls the Regional Airline Association's 25th anniversary in the year 2000 and talks about the resilient regional airline industry.

Marj Rose describes how Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) entered into the market 25 years ago with independent hourly cost maintenance programs for virtually any turbine-powered engine in the business aviation market.

Stan Younger, vice president Service Centres for Bombardier Business Aircraft, highlights some of what he’s seen and experienced over the past 25 years of business aviation.

The Airbus A320 from Europe entered the airline scene around a quarter century ago, and Jerry Chandler provides a look at the A320 family and the expansion of Airbus manufacturing here in the United States.

Of course the success of AMT over the last 25 years was possible only with the continued support of our advertisers, our dedicated readers, and all the writers who have provided you the reader with the kind of articles you’ve come to expect and enjoy. For this everyone here at AMT thanks you the aviation industry very much.

Here’s to the next 25 years, Ron