Consistency in Change

I’m really amazed by the changes we’re seeing in the aviation industry.

I’m not talking about just post-pandemic changes either. We’re seeing a generational upheaval across all facets of the industry when it comes to technology and talent.

The shortage of workers isn’t a new challenge, but we’re seeing a shift in leadership across the industry. If you’ve attended an industry event in the past year, you’ll notice a lot of new faces in the crowd while some of the stalwarts are calling it a career and going to wrench on their own plane for fun instead of for a paycheck.

Change is uncomfortable. It brings uncertainty and challenges as the shop gets younger. And let’s be honest, it feels a little weird when you realize your next director of maintenance was born during the Clinton Administration.

I personally take comfort in change. It’s the only constant in this world and embracing continuous change as constant brings direction to your life if you really lean into it.

The AMT Top 40 Under 40 program is a positive example of change. The winners of this program are the up-and-coming stars of the industry and the future of Part 145 management.

We’re seeing it now. Winners from past years are already taking over. And they’re using the skills the old guard taught them to teach the next generation.

These up-and-coming leaders have a big task ahead of them. New technicians and technology are entering the industry and they’re taking the reins of teaching it.

The FAA recently injected $5 million into building the aviation maintenance workforce pipeline. Once that pipeline starts pushing new workers into the field, it’s going to be up to these next-generation leaders to grow tomorrow’s technician skills and keep the knowledge of the previous generations alive in the industry.

The deadline for the 2023 Top 40 Under 40 program is May 12, so I encourage you to nominate your talented future leadership today, so they get the recognition they deserve as someone who’s going to keep the aviation maintenance industry on track.

It’s going to take your knowledge of what makes a great leader to build the next two generations of the aviation maintenance workforce. Make sure that knowledge lives on even after you’ve left the industry.