JENKS, Oklahoma -- The Aerospace Maintenance Council hosted the Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) on April 25-27, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The event showcases the talent required of aviation maintenance technicians to maintain aircraft and spacecraft in safe, airworthy condition.
Fifty-one, five-person teams of professionals and students from seven countries competed in 26 events that tested the knowledge and skill required to maintain aircraft. Competitors competed in events such as electrical troubleshooting, composite repair, turbine engine troubleshooting, structure repair, nondestructive testing, and written exams testing knowledge on history, human factors and weight & balance.
United Airlines Team Cleveland came away with the best overall score and the coveted William F. “Bill” O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance. Top teams in each event and category were also recognized, including:
School Category
1st Place: Indian Hills Community College
2nd Place: Aviation Institute of Maintenance
3rd Place: Utah State
Commercial Aviation Category
1st Place: United Airlines Team Cleveland
2nd Place: Alaska Airlines Team Seattle
3rd Place: FedEx
MRO/OEM Category
1st Place: Boeing
2nd Place: Flybe
3rd Place: HAECO
Military Category
1st Place: USCG Clearwater Air Station
2nd Place: Team Apache
3rd Place: US Army
General Aviation Category
1st Place: Flexjet
Space Category
1st Place: Virgin Galactic
In addition, two individuals were recognized for exemplifying the true spirit of the competition. “Recipients of the Charles E. Taylor Professional AMT Award are technicians who embody the true traits of Charles Taylor, the first aircraft mechanic, and demonstrate pride and professionalism,” says AMC Chairman Ken MacTiernan. “These team members were chosen based on their attitude and willingness to share knowledge and learn, as observed by judges during the competition.” This year’s award recipients were Chris Chido from Team Apache and Shayna Newman from West LA College.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also presented the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. The award recognizes lifetime achievement and is the highest honor given to certificated airframe and powerplant mechanics. Recipients are those that have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years in the aircraft maintenance profession as ‘master mechanics.’
FAA Safety Inspector Richard “Dilly” Dilbeck presented the award to The Honorable John Goglia. “The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Awards is a formal recognition by the FAA of the knowledge, skills and professionalism John has demonstrated during his aviation career.” Dilly, a long-time friend of Goglia, highlighted Goglia’s continued service to the aviation maintenance community, “Our aviation professionals are still in need of his experience, wisdom and common sense. We thank him for teaching us to be giants, and for his daily contribution to the industry.”
Goglia was the first and only airframe and powerplant mechanic to receive a presidential appointment to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), serving from August 1995 to June 2004. He played a key role in focusing international attention on the increasing significance of aircraft maintenance in aviation accidents. Now an independent aviation safety consultant, adjunct professor at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, president of the Aerospace Maintenance Council, and recently named chairman of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association, Goglia shows no signs of slowing down.
Next year’s event is scheduled for April 9-12, in conjunction with Aviation Week’s MRO America’s in Orlando. The AMC is made possible through overwhelming industry support. Companies sponsor events, teams, prizes, scholarships, travel, tours, meals and cash awards. A complete list of supporters is available at www.aerospacecompetition.com/sponsors.
The Aerospace Maintenance Council is a non-profit organization that promotes and supports the aviation maintenance profession. The council’s flagstone event, the Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC), recognizes and celebrates the aviation maintenance technician, and raises awareness of the knowledge and skill required to maintain safe, airworthy aircraft, worldwide. The competition is held annually in conjunction with Aviation Week’s MRO Americas.
