Kenosha, Wis., April 2, 2014 – People around the world know that Boeing is synonymous for quality commercial and military aircraft. But Boeing is also known for its outstanding aircraft technicians.
Team Boeing bested nearly 30 other maintenance teams to win the second annual William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, presented by Snap-on, at the AviationPros LIVE Aerospace Maintenance Competition, last week in Las Vegas.
“I’m ecstatic over our performance and seeing the excitement of our guys by this win,” said Ron Vanhoy, aircraft manager with Boeing Test & Evaluation. “This win says a lot about Boeing’s commitment to aircraft maintenance.”
The William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, presented by Snap-on, is the grand prize for the team with the overall winning score from Aerospace Maintenance Competition. The O’Brien Trophy will be on display at one of Boeing’s maintenance facilities in Seattle for the next year. The trophy will return to the Aerospace Maintenance Competition next year and will again be up for grabs to the winning overall team.
“Aircraft technicians don’t often receive the recognition they deserve, but they truly are unsung heroes in keeping millions of passengers safe every day,” said Andy Ginger, president, Snap-on Industrial. “On behalf of everyone at Snap-on around the world, I’d like to congratulate Team Boeing for their achievements at this year’s Aerospace Maintenance Competition. Their performance embodies what the William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance is all about.”
The Aerospace Maintenance Competition is an event which gives teams of licensed AMTs, AMEs, international military personnel and qualified aviation maintenance students the chance to test their aviation maintenance skills against those of their peers. The competition included 14 challenges in areas such as avionics, hydraulics, jet engine troubleshooting, cockpit window sealing and other tasks. Teams had 20 minutes to accurately complete each task; teams that finished their tasks in less than the allotted time received higher scores.
The five members of Team Boeing began preparing for the competition in October, said John Donohue, aircraft maintenance technician and captain for Team Boeing. He said the overall competition was tougher this year, and was particularly impressed with the performances of the participating technical colleges, such as Denver-based Redstone College.
Tim Guerrero, academic dean, Redstone College, said 49 aviation technician students tried out for the six open spots. He said the competition just to make the team was intense, but it turned out well for Redstone as they won the Aerospace Maintenance Competition’s school category for the fourth year in a row.
“Winning this competition is a very big deal for us,” Guerrero said. “What I hope our students take away from the event is just seeing the level of professionalism that’s here in the industry and the accuracy that’s required to do the job every day.”
Guerrero said their program is aided by a partnership with Snap-on, which puts Snap-on tools in the hands of Redstone College students.
“The students learn firsthand that they have the best tools in the industry,” he said. “There’s no second guessing or taking second best. Snap-on tools are a part of their tooling kit. When they enroll they use the best all the way through school, and they start their careers with the best – Snap-on.”
In addition to the William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, Snap-on donated more than $75,000 in tools and equipment to top finishers in the competition.
Sponsoring the William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance is part of Snap-on’s expanded commitment to AviationPros Live. That commitment also positions Snap-on as the new Exclusive Sponsor of the Aerospace Maintenance Competition, and is the official tool sponsor of the event.
For more information about Snap-on, call 877.740.1900, or visit http://www.snapon.com; for information on the Aerospace Maintenance Competition, visit www.aviationprosline.com; for more information on Redstone College, visit http://www.redstone.edu/.
About Snap-on Industrial
Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and services are sold through the company’s franchisee, company-direct, distribution and Web-based channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.9 billion, S&P 500 Company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
