Online Reader Poll

In early April we posted a question on the AMT Online Reader Poll regarding certification for aircraft maintenance technicians and advanced certification provided by industry organizations. There were three short answers to choose from. After two months well over 300 people responded. The question restated was, Is a more specialized system for advanced certification/ratings beyond the FAA A&P/IA certificates needed? Here is a breakdown of the responses: 177 votes (54%) answered the current system for maintenance technician certification is adequate. 88 votes (27%) answered that FAA certification should include advanced or specialized certification/ratings. 57 votes (17%) answered that industry associations should provide advanced or specialized certification/ratings. Although not a huge sample-size and we’d like to see more responses, it is what we received. So what does it mean? I feel the numbers are too small to make any conclusions, but perhaps better put, let’s make some statements regarding these numbers. Again a small sample-size, yet it would appear that the majority of the respondents feel the current system for certification of aircraft maintenance technicians is adequate. However, it also appears that there are those of you who feel that FAA certification should include some sort of advanced certification/ratings. And finally, the smallest group feels that industry associations should provide advanced certification/ratings. When this question was first posted I did receive some feedback stating that this question was too broad, and a short “check-the-block†type of answer could not be used for such a question. AMT understands this point - and yes many questions or issues are complex and not simple. Training, education, certification is certainly one of those complex issues. So again what does it all mean? Draw your own conclusions. The purpose of the AMT Online Reader Poll is not to solve a complex issue, but a quick and easy way to provide a yes/no or snap-shot type of answer to a whole host of topics, questions, or issues. Information such as this, included with reader feedback, industry events, and other inputs, helps us understand what’s on your mind and the critical issues in the industry. Thanks to everyone who responded to this poll and keep ‘em flying, Ron.