Future of Aircraft Maintenance?

Nov. 30, 2006
I am writing today’s blog from Virginia Beach where I am attending the “Future of Aviation Maintenance†symposium. The conference is being held to discuss the gap between what skills the industry feels an ideal aircraft mechanic should possess and what skills Part 147 schools are instructing. There are individuals from different alphabet associations, the FAA, Part 147 schools and industry. There are many speakers lined up to discuss the gap between the skills mechanics have coming out of school and the skills necessary to step into a job maintaining today’s advanced aircraft. There are other issues on the table such as how to attract today’s youth to a career in aviation when they could take the career path of least resistance pursuing other careers such as computer technology where they would be able to get an entry-level job making more money than an A&P out of school. So, what are your thoughts? What does industry need to do to close the gap between the skills A&Ps have right out of school and the skills they need in the “real world� If you could change the curriculum at the schools, what would you change? What courses would you concentrate more on? What would you concentrate less on? What would you delete or add? How can training evolve to meet tomorrow’s needs? But the bigger question - what can we do to help recruit more youth to pursue aircraft maintenance as a career? What can we do as aircraft maintenance professionals to help raise the interest level in aircraft maintenance? We look forward to your feedback. Joe Escobar A&P/IA