Kenosha, Wis., February 7, 2013 – More than 30 aviation maintenance teams from around the world will be vying for the inaugural William O'Brien Trophy for Aviation Tech Excellence, presented by Snap-on, at the AviationPros Live Conference, March 13-14, in Las Vegas.

Sponsoring the William O'Brien Trophy for Aviation Tech Excellence is part of Snap-on's expanded three-year commitment to AviationPros Live. That commitment also positions Snap-on as the new Exclusive Sponsor of the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition. The event 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 Maintenance Skills Competition runs from 10 a.m. March 13 through 5 p.m. March 14, with the award presentations starting at 9 a.m. March 15.

The William O'Brien Trophy for Aviation Tech Excellence, presented by Snap-on, will be bestowed to the team with the overall winning score from the Maintenance Skills Competition, and be on display in the winning team's facility for a year. In addition to the trophy, Snap-on is awarding more than $75,000 in tools and equipment to other top finishers in the competition.

Snap-on's expanded involvement with AviationPros Live and the Maintenance Skills Competition demonstrates its commitment and partnership with aviation technicians to further their profession.

“The AMT Society is pleased and honored to count on the continued support of Snap-on for the next three years,” said Tom Hendershot, executive director, AMTSociety. “Snap-on has been a stalwart in promoting excellence in the aviation maintenance profession and this partnership renews and reinforces that commitment to the future of the AMT Society and its members.”

“We are very pleased to expand our relationship with AMTSociety and strengthen our involvement in the Maintenance Skills Competition,” said Andy Ginger, president, Snap-on Industrial. “When it comes to aviation, Snap-on is much more than simply a tool and equipment supplier. We pride ourselves in working closely with the industry to develop solutions and become a true partner with aviation techs. That's the added value Snap-on brings to this critical industry.”

Attendees to AviationPros Live and the Maintenance Skills Competition will also be able to tour Snap-on's Advanced Technology Lab (ATL) vehicle. The ATL is a customized interactive lab on wheels that brings the Snap-on experience and aviation capabilities, such as the latest in tool innovation, hand and power tools, tool control and asset management, to its customers for hands-on demonstrations.

For more information about Snap-on, call 877.740.1900, or visit http://www.snapon.com; for information on the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition, visit www.amtsociety.org.

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.

2013 AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition

AMTSociety's 6th Annual Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC) will be held in Las Vegas, NV, March 13 – 15, 2013.

Professional AMTs and AMEs, as well as AMT students, from around the world will be speaking out for our proud craft and profession at AMTSociety's 6th Annual Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC) in Las Vegas, NV. They will help bring recognition for the knowledge, skill, and integrity that is needed to build, repair, and maintain aircraft. Regardless of the size of an aircraft or the mission one thing remains constant and that is the AMT/AME that has custody of that aircraft's safety and airworthiness. These highly skilled individuals will be competing against each other but together they will be representatives of our craft and profession.

There are 30 scheduled teams from around the world that will be going head to head in 18 different events that highlight just some of the many skills needed in today's aircraft maintenance world. In showing the public what AMT/AMEs do the MSC also shows where AMT/AMEs came from with an event related to Charles E. Taylor. Events will test each participant's ability to troubleshoot electrical and avionic problems as well as pitot static, hydraulic, engine, NDI, and safety wiring events. There are events to challenge an AMT/AME's skill at researching ADs, window sealing, composite repair, weight and balance, and even an external power receptacle and G IV wheel and brake event.

The events presented are made possible by companies such as PPG Aerospace, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, CAE, ATP, United States Navy, FPTI, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Redstone College, Alberth Aviation, U.S. Coast Guard, Nida Corp., DFW Instruments, FedEx, AirData, and the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association (AMTA).

There is the William F. “Bill” O'Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance that is presented to the one team out of all the teams competing with the lowest overall score. And 2013 will be the second year AMTSociety presents the Professional AMT Award that is awarded to the one AMT/AME/student that is viewed as having the most professional attitude/appearance, team spirit, and attitude. This award is decided by the judges who are scoring the many events.

And what competition would be complete without prizes? The 2013 MSC continues with the tradition of tool companies providing quality tools and the biggest sponsor is Snap-On Tools. There are also tools provided by Kennedy Tool Boxes, SK Hand Tools, Stahlwille, Proto/Stanley, ProBuilt Professional Lighting, Leatherman, DeWALT, Silvertronic, Led Lenser, David Clark, Noisebuster, Protective Industrial Products, Top Flight Watches, Bennette Design Group, and Sure-Step.

In addition to the prizes stated above, AMTSociety presents the first, second, and third place team members for each category with an engraved plaque to commemorate the occasion, and there are pictures along with stories of the MSC written for the AMT magazine, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

With teams from Australia, China, Mexico, Canada, and the United States, the goal of the MSC grows in that AMTSociety is able to show the public that those within our craft belong to a brotherhood. That AMT/AMEs belong to a society of professionals with the heavy responsibility of ensuring aircraft whether they are commercial aviation, general aviation, and military or from the manufacturing floor are maintained to the highest standards possible. On behalf of AMTSociety's board of directors I invite you to come and help speak out for our craft by either competing or by just coming out to cheer on those who are competing.

Gravity Can Be Grave

By Thomas E. Hendershot

Work stands and ladders are part of our work environment. We cannot do our jobs without them but we frequently forget how dangerous they can be. Gravity is not your friend when elevated by this equipment.

Falls from this equipment are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. Last year alone they attributed to approximately 163,000 emergency room visits due to falling from such equipment. We often take them for granted and get complacent when using them.

We can greatly reduce if not totally eliminate such accidents and incidents by thinking safety before use and safety during use. Read and follow all instructions, warnings, and cautions.

Report and remove damaged equipment from service and tag it until it is repaired or fixed. Choose the proper ladder or work stand for the intended task. Inspect for slippery surfaces and ensure it is not shaky or on an uneven surface. Do not overextend your reach. Use barricades/signs if placed where it can be displaced by other work activities. Engage all locks. Do not exceed the maximum load rating. Use safety harness/fall protection.

A few attentive moments before use may save you months of recovery, or death, due to unsafe use.

– Stay safe, Thomas Hendershot

Who Do You Trust?

By Thomas E. Hendershot

According to Webster's Dictionary trust is the “firm” belief or confidence in the honesty, justice, reliability, etc., of another person or thing. When it comes to maintenance and inspections, a question you should always ask yourself is. “Do I trust or have confidence that the previous maintenance or inspection was properly completed?”

Sadly, too many problems and accidents prove otherwise. When removing and replacing a component, don't “trust” that it was properly installed previously. This is especially true if a component requires bench tests, clearance or tolerance checks prior to installation.

Read, understand, and follow the manufacturer's instructions and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) rather than installing as it was previously installed. We are human and as hard as we try, we all make mistakes.

When it comes to inspections, carefully and thoroughly inspect every item required by the manufacturer's inspection checklist rather than being pressured to take shortcuts or cut corners to save time and or money. Do you have the firm belief and/or confidence that all the covers and panels were opened and/or removed and areas behind insulation were properly inspected during previous inspections? The truth is, you don't know for sure!

Here is a hypothetical example: Someone replaced numerous missing upholstery screws in an interior side panel. It should be documented, but it might not be. Nevertheless, were the screws too long, and maybe one or even several are now chaffing against a fluid line, hose, or electrical wire behind that panel? You don't know unless you inspect. The firm belief or confidence in reliability comes only after you have performed maintenance and inspection per the manufacturer's instructions and data. Back in the ‘80s, Ronald Reagan had a phrase he used when dealing with the old Soviet Union, “Trust, but verify.” Good advice for all of us.

– Stay safe, Thomas Hendershot

News Items

AMTSociety scholarship program

A reminder to all: The date for submission for all scholarship forms and accompanying material is Dec. 15, 2012. Select the scholarship you wish to apply for on the web site, www.AMTSociety.org, complete the form, attach the required information and mail it so that it is postmarked by Dec. 15, 2012 to: Joseph C. Hawkins, Chairman, AMTSociety Scholarship Program, 5419 Colonial Circle, Murfreesboro, TN 37129-7038

Lifetime Achievement Award

For those of you who are interested in nominating someone for this award, the nomination form can be obtained from the web site. After you have completed the form, mail it so that it is postmarked by Dec. 15, 2012, to: Thomas E. Hendershot, Executive Director, AMTSociety International Headquarters, 13183 Regulus Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124-2931

Toolbox raffle and scholarship program

Once again, Snap-on Industrial has supported AMTSociety with a KRA 4107D toolbox valued at $2,500 and your choice of Snap-on tools valued at $2,500. The tickets are one ticket for $5 or three tickets for $10. The color of the toolbox is your individual choice, and the toolbox and tools will be shipped to the address you specify. Should you win and decide to donate this toolbox and tools to an A&P school, like the last two winners have so graciously elected to do, Snap-on will add an additional $1,000 worth of tools for the school. Tickets can be obtained from any AMTSociety director, or you can send me a check for the number of tickets you wish to purchase and I will send the tickets to you (address above). The drawing will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013, during the Maintenance Skills Competition Awards program in Las Vegas. The winner need not be present to win.

Notice: Las Vegas AMTSociety IA Renewal

For all of you who are planning on attending AMTSociety's IA Renewal Consortium Program in Las Vegas, NV, at AviationPros LIVE in March 2013: The program will be a one-day meeting on March 13. Registration is from 7:00 to 8:00 with the program scheduled from 0800 to 1700. AMTSociety will host the morning and afternoon breaks as well as lunch. The cost will be $70, which includes a one-year membership, breaks, lunch, the eight-hour course plus the certificate of completion for the FAA. Please don't forget to pre-register at www.AMTSociety.org. The date again: Wednesday, March 13, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact Thomas Hendershot, at (303) 799-6870 or (800) 547-7377 Ext. 1565.

Moving away from paper

A reminder for those of you that are also certificated pilots, effective Oct. 1, 2012, pilots must use FAA MedXPress to complete an electronic application for an Airman Medical Certificate or Airman Medical and Student Pilot Certificate, FAA Form 8500-8. As many of you know, the federal government is taking steps across the board to become more efficient and to reduce costs, and our move to electronic records is consistent with those initiatives. If you have any technical issues, you may reach MedXPress support at (877) 287-6731 or https://medexpress.faa.gov.

Wall of Honor

$10,000 Charles Taylor Goal Reached for Wall of Honor

By Ken MacTiernan

Due to the generosity of individuals and organizations and companies worldwide $10,000 was raised in eight weeks to have Taylor's name engraved with the largest size lettering.

The people who help populate our “society” of aircraft maintenance professionals have recently come together to have Charles E. Taylor's name written on a very prestigious “history book” located at the same Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center where his likeness is on display.

The Hazy Center has an airfoil shaped memorial that recognizes those with a passion for flight called the Wall of Honor. Lettering ranges in sizes from 3/16 to 1 inch and because of the generosity of individuals and organizations and companies worldwide $10,000.00 was raised in eight weeks to have Charlie's name engraved with the largest size lettering.

Since mankind conquered the challenge of powered, controlled flight there have been many technological advancements in both airframe and power plant. Throughout these small steps and large leaps in better technology to make flying faster and safer the Aircraft Maintenance Technician has remained silently vigilant. Perhaps the reason for this “silence” is due to the fact that Charles E. Taylor, considered the “Father of Aircraft Maintenance,” was himself “silent.”

Having created the first aircraft engines for the Wright Flyer, Charlie never looked for notoriety or fame. There were no reality shows or paparazzi back in 1903, there was just hard work, determination, and professionalism. Charles E. Taylor might have been able to turn his contributions to aviation into a personal fortune, however, like today's proud, skilled aircraft maintenance technicians and aircraft maintenance engineers Charlie was given a task and set out to accomplish it to the best of his abilities.

History is written with facts by those who wish to make these facts available for people so they can remember the past and those who contributed to our future. The Wright brothers always gave Charlie his well earned recognition. However, since the first aircraft engine propelled mankind airborne it would take almost 100 years before Howard R. DuFour, with Peter J. Unitt, wrote the biography on Taylor titled “Charles E. Taylor 1868 - 1956 The Wright Brother's Mechanician.”

It would take 99 years before Richard “Dilly” Dillbeck would have the State of California introduce and pass the first AMT Day Resolution that recognizes May 24 as AMT Day in honor of Charlie's birthday. In 2006 the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association would donate a bronze bust of Charlie, created by Artist Virginia Hess, to the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. This bust donation would be followed by further bronze bust donations and AMT Day Resolutions being passed.

These acts of recognition were made possible by many people who have the same passion for making sure that Charles E. Taylor is remembered in the pages of aviation history.

It is rewarding to know that the craft and profession which Charlie started remembers its past by making sure Charles E. Taylor is not forgotten.

The following donors made sure that the Wall of Honor will include a man who deserves to be written in aviation history: Ken Abeldt; Kyle Acuna; Aeronautical Repair Station Association; Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association; Aircraft Technical Publishers; American Airlines M&E; AMT Magazine; AMTSociety; Anonymous Donor; Baker's School of Aeronautics; Mr. & Mrs. Brian Banks; Gregory Bowles; Mike & Karen Brennan; Gary Brossett; Ms. Jane Brown; Mr. & Mrs. Rick Browning; Mrs. Gloria Cosby; Crimson Technical College; Andy Curtis; Russ Dittmer; Kerry Dodge; D.O.M. Magazine; Mr. & Mrs. Brett Doran; Frank Dudek III; Ms. Jessica Espinoza; Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Fotoulis; Ms. Rhonda Fuston; Ms. Carol Giles; Honorable John Goglia; Ms. Sandra Gordon; Peter Guy, Mark Loetscher, and Michael Morelock; Dale Hasenkamp; Joe Hawkins; Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Hayes; Thomas Hendershot; Mrs. Virginia Hess; Ms. Lauren Hurlburt, Michael Molzhan, Jermay Spenser, and Eugene Wells; Jack Jones; Kurt Kadel; Joseph Kilfeather; Aaron Klippel; Frank Krznaric; Andy Littel; Roger Martin; Byron Masters; Patrick McDevitt; Mr. & Mrs. Rich McNeely; Jim Milardo; Pete Miller; Ms. Lauren Morris; David Ostang; Dennis Pelletier; Lane Perry II; Russell Peterson; Marlin Priest; Mr. & Mrs. Phil Randall; Jimmy Ray and Questle Davis; John Ruiz; Ms. Tigist Ryals; George Sayner/Cindy Tagliapietra; Snap-on Tools; Todd Stranczek; Murray Thole; Arthur Tobey; TWU Local 561; TWU Local 562; and Chris Violanti.

Finish all the steps before calling the task complete

Does this sound basic? Yes, it is ... But, there continue to be maintenance-induced aircraft accidents where the mechanic did not follow the order of the steps, did not finish a step, or did not complete all the steps of the task as instructed.

Instructions for continued airworthiness contain sequential steps for completing a task. It goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway!) that the sequence of steps developed by the manufacturer is very important! The job will be performed correctly and safely when each individual step is started and completed; one step at a time, in sequential order.

It is not a bingo game out there, it really is a matter of safety, and safety cannot be compromised.

Charles E. Taylor

As most of you are aware by now, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum has undertaken a major project to honor the man who made it possible for the Wright Glider to become the Wright Flyer. In doing so, it is expanding the Wall of Honor that is established in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Kenneth J. MacTiernan, director of AMTA, as well as board member for AMTSociety, has spent many hours requesting contributions from all of the aviation industry to assure that the name of Charles E. Taylor will be written in 1-inch lettering on this wall. Attached is the list of donors.

As of press time, the donations went over the $10,000 needed to have 1-inch letters which are the largest size. This will not only place his name on the Wall of Honor at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in recognition of Charles E. Taylor's achievements, it will also bring attention to the thousands of skilled craftsmen that have followed in his footsteps.

Wall of Honor donors

Thank you to everyone who has made a donation or helped spread the word about the Wall of Honor effort. Here is the list of donors:

Ken Abeldt , Kyle Acuna , Aeronautical Repair Station Association, Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association , Aircraft Technical Publishers , American Airlines M&E , AMT Magazine , AMTSociety , Anonymous Donor , Baker's School of Aeronautics , Mr. & Mrs. Brian Banks, Gregory Bowles , Mike & Karen Brennan, Ms. Jane Brown , Mr. & Mrs. Rick Browning , Mrs. Gloria Cosby, Crimson Technical College, Andy Curtis, Russ Dittmer, Kerry Dodge, D.O.M. Magazine, Mr. & Mrs. Brett Doran , Frank Dudek III , Ms. Jessica Espinoza , Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Fotoulis, Ms. Rhonda Fuston , Ms. Carol Giles , Honorable John Goglia, Ms. Sandra Gordon, Dale Hasenkamp, Joe Hawkins , Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Hayes , Tom Hendershot , Mrs. Virginia Hess , Ms. Lauren Hurlburt, Michael Molzhan, Jermay Spenser, and Eugene Wells , Kurt Kadel , Joseph Kilfeather , Aaron Klippel , Frank Krznaric , Andy Little, Roger Martin, Byron Masters , Patrick McDevitt, Mr. & Mrs. Rich McNeely , Pete Miller , Ms. Lauren Morris , David Ostang , Dennis Pelletier , Lane Perry II , Russell Peterson , Marlin Priest , Mr. & Mrs. Phil Randall , Ms. Tigist Ryals , George Sayner/Cindy Tagliapietra , Snap-on Tools , Todd Stranczek , TWU Local 562, and Chris Violanti.

Tom Hendershot

Tom Hendershot's name is also going to be engraved on the Wall of Honor at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center for his contributions to the preservation of the aviation and space exploration history and as a testament to his commitment to and passion for flight.

AMTSociety Mx Logs Update

With maintenance vehicles and aircraft towing, you have a lot of responsibility and a job to do and you also want to get it done right – right? This, in many cases, requires you to drive maintenance vehicles or move aircraft by taxi or towing in the airfield maintenance areas. Be proactive and learn the tower frequencies, especially the ground control frequency (jot them down), recognize and be certain that you understand the airfield markings and signs, and by all means, before you move, get authorization/clearance – and VERIFY!

Following this procedure each and every time will reduce your risk of: causing an unauthorized or unapproved movement within the movement area or an occurrence in the movement associated with the operation of an aircraft that affects or could affect the safety of flight resulting in a reported surface deviation incident – or causing any occurrence at an airport involving an aircraft involving an aircraft, vehicle, person, or object on the ground that creates a collision hazard or results in the loss of separation with an aircraft taking off, intending to take off, landing, or intending to land resulting in a reported runway incursion.

New mission and vision statements

Mission Statement: To honor the legacy of the aviation community while advancing opportunities for aircraft maintenance technicians to further their profession and ensure the future of aviation.

Vision Statement: To actively promote and protect the professional aircraft maintenance technician's craft and profession, advance the future of our profession, and to provide resources and benefits to its members.

Additions to the board of directors

Thursday, May 17, 2012, three more individuals joined your AMTSociety Board: Gloria J. Cosby, EVP of the Diversified Group, Cygnus Business Media; Ronald W. Donner, Editor of AMT magazine; and Michael R. Sasso, National Sales Account Manager, AMT.

Gloria Cosby started as publisher at Cygnus Business Media in 1989. In 2007, she was promoted from Group Publisher to Brand Director. In 2011, she was promoted to one of just four Executive Vice President positions overseeing the Diversified Group. As EVP, she is responsible for managing strategy and implementation of print, digital and tradeshow brands in several top U.S. industries including transportation and aviation. She is a recognized expert on digital assets and integrating business-to-business platforms for advertisers and was previously named to MIN's list of “11 Women to Watch.”

Ronald (Ron) Donner is an aviation professional having spent his entire life involved in aviation. He holds FAA certificates as an A&P/IA, commercial pilot, single and multi engine land, instrument airplane, glider, and is an airplane owner.

Ron began his aviation career working line service while attending aviation school. From 1975 until 1983 he held positions in general aviation as line service, technician, inspector, and charter pilot. He then began a long career with Northwest Airlines holding positions as a technician, supervisor, manager, quality assurance auditor and FAA liaison. His activity in the QA/FAA liaison group gained him significant experience in regulatory compliance, safety, airport operations, and repair station/MRO activity worldwide. In January 2010 he left NWA and now uses his aviation experience as the Editor of Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) magazine.

Ron has been a volunteer member of the board of directors for Minnesota based Stanton Sport Aviation Inc. from 2000 to present, president from 2004 to 2009, and is currently vice president. He serves on the advisory committee for the annual Minnesota Aviation Maintenance Conference, is an FAA Safety Team Representative, and a member in good standing of many aviation organizations.

As a second generation A&P technician Mike Sasso started his aviation career in high school graduating from Aviation High School in New York with his Airframe and FCC License, graduating with honors and receiving a scholarship to attend Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. He also received an AAS degree from Spartan as well as worked to complete a BS degree through Tulsa University.

He started in the industry as an avionics technician for United Airlines while completing his Powerplant certification at Solano Community College. He worked his way up at United from technician to overhaul maintenance supervisor managing the 727/737 heavy check lines, the moving out to post check test flight management and then onto terminal operations and line operations including a stint as a station maintenance controller. Mike left United to move back to the Midwest and started at American Airlines as a sheet metal/structures mechanic, quickly moving up to run the 727 heavy check line once again and then moved to DFW where he managed the MD11 B check line operations.

After leaving American, he worked at Kitty Hawk as a MX controller and a second term as a base manager, as well as line maintenance manager for FedEx; station MX manager for Air Wisconsin; and a maintenance controller, then MRO supervisor for Comair.

More recently, he was the manager of maintenance control for Mesaba Airlines, as well as the director of the SOC and then director of maintenance until the time it was purchased by NWA. Upon moving out of the management realm, he was instrumental in the writing of the maintenance electronic logbook for the EFB for Teledyne Controls, and also spent some time with Jeppesen as a sales and service rep managing one of its largest accounts in NWA until it was merged with Delta.

He became active in his community starting and managing a local chamber of commerce which focused on community and b2b networking and sales and marketing training for small to medium businesses. He still works with the Chamber at a local level in both Rockford, IL, and Minneapolis, MN.

Currently he has combined his aviation and sales knowledge at AMT magazine and Cygnus Aviation where he is National Sales Account Manager. And he has started working with Rock Valley College, preparing to lead a summer program as an adjunct instructor in its A&P program.

Safety Tip

We all have heard the saying, “Cool it.” It is slang for relax, calm down, take it easy. And, in this sense, it is safe to say we all need to do this from time to time – to avoid making mistakes – especially when feeling the pressure and stress from our work environment. But to you folks who maintain and operate aircraft engines, it takes on a whole different meaning. Many engines may require you to “cool it” down before shutting it down. Improper cool down could lead to sudden damage or even latent damage resulting in future failure. Whether you operate engines frequently and have tremendous knowledge about them or you only operate engines infrequently, always use the engine run checklist. Whether you operate turbine and/or piston-powered engines, and especially if you operate a variety of make and model engines, the bottom line is to understand and comply with the manufacturer's current operating procedures. And always heed the “Notes, Cautions, and Warnings” for the engine you are working on.

As a result, when you “cool it” properly, you will be able to relax, calm down, and take it easy!

– Stay safe, Tom Hendershot

AMT Day

AMT Day, or Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, was created to recognize Charles E. Taylor who was the Wright brothers' mechanic and aviation's original “Unsung Hero,” or otherwise referred to as the “Father of Aircraft Maintenance.” Having built the first aircraft engines, by hand no less, which enabled mankind to conquer controlled powered flight is a remarkable accomplishment. Recognizing Charlie's rightful place in aviation's history, which history almost forgot, is just and warranted. But how did AMT Day start? Why was it created? What does it mean?

To begin with we need to go back to 2001 when an FAA Inspector from the Sacramento FSDO named Richard T. “Dilly” Dilbeck first decided that Charles E. Taylor needed to be remembered. Charlie's accomplishments were recognized by the FAA with the creation of the Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award thanks to another FAA Inspector, William F. “Bill” O'Brien. Bill created this award for AMTs who had served at least 50 years in aircraft maintenance with a minimum of 30 of those years as a certificated A&P mechanic. This award is very prestigious and rightfully so. What Dilbeck did was expand the recognition Charlie deserved by having all 50 United States, Commonwealths, and Territories introduce and pass an AMT Day Resolution. OK, you ask, so what does this resolution do?

Dilbeck had then California Senator Knight introduce a resolution that officially recognized May 24th of every year as Aviation Maintenance Technician Day in honor of Charlie's birthday. This resolution remembers Taylor's place in history as being as important as that of the Wright brothers since it was Charlie who enabled the Wright Glider to become the Wright Flyer. But this resolution goes further and also recognizes the many skilled men and women who followed in Charles E. Taylor's footsteps in the craft Charlie created; the craft of today's AMT. In 2002 California became the first state to introduce and pass AMT Day.

May 24 is now recognized officially as a day to remember Charles E. Taylor and an entire craft and profession of skilled aviation professionals that carry the heavy responsibilities of providing safe, airworthy aircraft industrywide. An industry that requires a high standard of knowledge, skill, continuing education, and integrity now had a day to say thank you to the men and women who care for commercial, general aviation, corporate, private, civil, military, or experimental aircraft.

Thanks to Dilbeck's efforts in having California lead the way in passing the first AMT Day Resolution there are now more than 47 AMT Day Resolutions passed.

Because of his nature Charles E. Taylor did not look to profit on his accomplishments and the rapid advances in aircraft technology had basically caused history to forget Charles E. Taylor and in turn forgot, or at the very least took for granted, the contributions of all the AMTs that came after Charlie. These resolutions were created to return attention to a significant individual as well as a group of individuals who take their responsibilities seriously but do not seek the limelight.

AMT Day is a day for an industry to recognize those who are the very “Faces Behind Safety” in aircraft maintenance. AMT Day is a day to acknowledge the dedication, professionalism, and sacrifices of a proud profession. AMT Day is increasingly being celebrated throughout the aircraft maintenance community. AMT Day is Charles E. Taylor's Day!

You can learn more about Charles E. Taylor by reading the biography Charles E. Taylor: 1868 - 1956 The Wright Brothers Mechanician written by Howard R. DuFour with Peter J. Unitt. This book can be bought through Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435.

Last year there were more than 30 Charles E. Taylor Day celebrations across the United States, If you or your aviation organization are planning on hosting a program or party, please forward any pictures and your story to Barb Zuehlke, Senior Editor, AMT Magazine, 1233 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-2738, or you can also email the information and photographs to her at this address: barb.zuehlke@aviationpros.com.

I sincerely hope that each of you and your families, as well as your co-workers enjoy a great and memorable Charles E. Taylor Day Celebration, and that you remember our U.S. military personnel, and have a safe Memorial Day holiday. (Thanks to AMTSociety board member Ken MacTiernan for this article.)

2012 Maintenance Skills Competition

The 2012 AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition continued the tradition of the previous four years. This year there were 27 teams with international representation from China and Australia, with additional teams from aviation schools and military branches.

This year two events were removed and eight introduced. Two were created by mechanics that participated in the event last year. It shows that the event has struck a chord in the industry and people who want to give back to the industry have a way to do so; it's a win-win. The mechanics went back to management and said they wanted to do this and the events were created with sponsorship by Boeing and Alaska Airlines.

A mechanic from PPG introduced a product and an event at this year's show, an aircraft windshield hump seal repair kit. A mockup of a 767 fuselage made a colorful and bold attention-getter as part of the event.

This year's event was more successful in terms of awards presented. Each team that achieved the fastest score for an event won tools. A thank you to all the companies that provided events along with judges; the event wouldn't happen without you.

It's been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this. It's a positive event, and I'm lucky to be a board member and chairman of the event. And wait till next year, it promises to be even bigger. Mark your calendars for March 12-15, 2013 in Las Vegas.

– Ken MacTiernan, Maintenance Skills Competition Chairman/AMTSociety Director

The Winners:

State of AMTSociety Address

The address this month will center on activities scheduled for AMTSociety, the biggest being the Cygnus Aviation Exposition on March 7-9 in Las Vegas. At this time we have 30 teams committed to the Maintenance Skills Competition with 15 events, which also includes the “bragging rights.”

We also will make the presentations of the Scholarship Awards and AMTSociety Tom Hendershot Lifetime Achievement Award, plus the drawing of the Snap-on toolbox and tools for the scholarship raffle program.

The IA program will be held in the theater on Wednesday and Thursday, 8 to noon each day. There will also be presentations from NCATT and Operation Boot Strap. Come Friday morning at 9, the awards will be presented to the contestants in the Maintenance Skills Competition. A great time, sure hope you can attend.

Do you know your limitations?

Individuals often fail to realize that maintenance processes safety chains are made of complex tasks that are implemented and maintained by people. These people have different aptitudes, abilities, and training, and will operate under various conditions, organizational structures, procedures, and work scenarios.

The total composite of these elements, including the human component will determine the performance, safety, and efficiency of an organization. Safety chains are such that they ensure human capabilities are not stretched beyond limits. All aviation professionals should realize the important part they play in the safety chain.

2012 scholarship winners

AMTSociety is delighted to announce the winners of its 2012 scholarship programs. AMTSociety Scholarships were created to financially assist students in an approved AMT program, active duty military, reserve, and National Guard personnel, and those already certified in furthering their professional education and training. Academic and training scholarships are an integral part of AMTSociety's purpose and one way AMTSociety is committed to promoting future aircraft maintenance technicians in the highly skilled aircraft maintenance profession.

Each academic scholarship is valued at $1,500. The U.S. Military Scholarship is offered in conjunction with Baker's School of Aeronautics in Nashville, TN. This scholarship includes tuition for Baker's two-week A&P Mechanics Course, fees for oral and practical testing, hotel (11-13 days), and a $100 gift card from Kroger's.

Joe Hawkins, AMTSociety Director and Scholarship Chair, introduces the 2012 winners:

Need an IA?

Finding an IA is now easier than you think

As an aviation maintenance technician when working on an aircraft, have you ever thought I am going to need an AMT with an Inspection Authorization, i.e. an “IA”? Then thought, how will I find to find one?

Usually, IAs are found by word of mouth from other AMTs, by contacting a local FBO, repair station, or simply calling up the FSDO in your area. Well, that sounds simple enough. But what if you're in Tucson, AZ, and you're going to need an IA for an aircraft in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

You don't have to worry any more. Locating an IA is now just a mouse click away. Thanks to Mark Collins and Peter Foster, AMTSociety members and founders of FindanIA.com, a global dot com company.

The company, FindanIA.com Inc. was designed strictly for the sole purpose of finding, one or more, of the more than 22,000 FAA designated IAs located around the world. It's fast, it's easy, and better still, it's free.

The concept first started over 10 years ago over a cup of coffee that Collins and Foster were having while working as volunteers on a DC-3 restoration project for the city of Santa Monica, CA.

Aviation Experience

Over the years they pooled their ideas, relied on their years of aviation experience, with the goal of building a global aviation dot com company that would truly address the needs of the aviation maintenance industry. Hence the launch of www.FindanIA.com.

Both Collins and Foster have distinguishing careers in the aviation and aerospace industry.

Collins started his aviation career in the U.S. Navy, as a Petty Officer Collins served onboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy during The Persian Gulf war, where he operated the ships aircraft composites shop. After leaving a distinguished career in the Navy, he received his FAA airframe and powerplant licenses and began working for Continental Airlines as an AMT eventually leaving to become a manager in one of FedEx's most active, challenging aviation maintenance facilities.

He continues to work there today with 17 years of loyal and dedicated service. Collins is also an active FAA Safety Team member, and teaches an advanced composites course for FAA IA renewals for the AMTSociety IA renewal program. It is this background knowledge and experience that provided a foundation for the company.

Foster started his aviation career at age 16 at a local airport in Florida. His experience is global and covers the full gambit of the aviation, aerospace, government, and business world. He's a former captain and instructor on the Boeing 737, an experienced airframe and powerplant mechanic, with a designation of Inspection Authorization. His global management experience with airlines, maintenance repair organizations (MROs), FBOs, and other business enterprises both in and out of the aviation and aerospace, including time in government service, has served well in the formation and launch of the company.

Educators and more

Both founders have seats as faculty members in the aviation department of a public college, owned and operated by the state of California, where they teach aviation science as part-time adjunct professors.

Both men also do volunteer work within the aviation industry serving on several college aviation advisory boards and on the board of an aviation museum, as well as other nonprofit aviation organizations. However, Collins states that “one of my biggest honors is to serve on AMTSociety's board of directors.”

Some of the toughest challenges they faced were financing the project and working with U.S. government agencies for compliance. Fortunately, Foster called on his vast resources on Wall Street and in Washington, D.C. to overcome the challenges. Foster adds (with an irreverent smile) “Let's just say I cashed in a lot of chips.”

Filling industry need

It has been a long and hard road to launch FindanIA.com, but both Collins and Foster have listened to AMTs, IAs, managers of aircraft repair stations, maintenance executives, and aircraft owners and leasers from around the world throughout the aviation industry. They believe they are servicing a definite need in the industry.

This company not only lets someone search on their own for an IA but also focuses on helping place their contract IAs in repair stations in countries that have FAA certified MROs and FAA certified 145 repair stations with FAA certified airframe and powerplant mechanics, but do not have qualified FAA airframe and powerplant mechanics with Inspection Authorization.

The web site also has a toolbox page with links to help current IAs find emergency and current ADs, service bulletins, Type Certificate Data Sheets, Supplemental Type Certificates and forms, as well as training for renewal of their IA certificate. And there is a page to help the aviation maintenance technician who may wish to become an IA.

Foster admits that he has been surprised by an overwhelming number of aviation companies (not only from the United States, but globally) that have approached the company and expressed interest in the web site. The reason being, that people who need an IA to inspect the aircraft often also need someone to do supportive maintenance on the aircraft. So, by finding the IA in the area they require, this web site could also direct them to the services of these maintenance companies that the IA may work for.

Both men agree starting a global dot com company has not been easy and that the company is still in its infancy. There will be more challenges ahead. However, a majority of top experts and analysts in the aviation and Internet industries, seem to be unanimous in their opinion that this company is on its way.

State of AMTSociety Address

Situational awareness starting from the time we leave home in the morning until the time we return, we as human beings get so busy because of all the things life throws at us, we sometimes forget about situational awareness. It does no one any good to get injured or killed either on the way to work or responding to a maintenance call for any aircraft.

We, being humans, can and do lose touch. It is therefore imperative that we as professionals stop and get a handle on what is actually going on before we throw ourselves into overdrive. I personally have been caught once or twice by just being in too much of a hurry to get the job done/completed, so I could put out the next fire. It seems that the simple task or the task we do all the time is the one that will come back to haunt us. Take a look around you and see all the things that can come and bite you when you least expect it. You may well know that someone else is working on the aircraft, but has he or she done all the things required to make the aircraft safe to work on? Go and check; maybe they have lost situational awareness in a way that will adversely affect you. You owe it to yourself, your co-workers; passengers; and your family to stop and get that grip on what is really going on ? all the time, every time.

On behalf of the board of directors and myself, we would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving; a very Merry Christmas; and a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year for 2012.

- Stay Safe, Tom Hendershot

Scholarship program

Please remember that completed scholarship request forms must be post marked December 15, 2011. Winners will be notified, and invited to attend the Cygnus Aviation Expo, March 7-9 with the formal awards program scheduled for March 9

AMTSociety golf outing

The weather was a picture perfect 75 at this year's AMTSociety Golf outing. A big thank you goes to Peter D. Zeeb, chairman, who with his committee conducted the best event ever. The outing started with lunch and registration at 12:15 p.m. followed by a shotgun start. When the match concluded, everyone was treated to a fine dinner with desert followed by the presentation of awards and prizes. I would like to thank the following hole sponsors for their generosity: AMT magazine, ARINC Direct, Cessna Aircraft, Corporate Jet Support, Dassault Falcon Jet, Dassault Falcon Services, Duncan Aviation, Gulfstream, Gulfstream Long Beach Spare Parts Sales, Haggan Aviation, Honeywell, StandardAero, Weststar Aviation, and World Fuel Services.

Additionally, the following donated: Caesars Entertainment: Food for the event; Dallas Airmotive: Beverage cart sponsor; Gulfstream Long Beach Spare Parts Sales: Golf towels for all golfers; Honeywell: Golf balls for all golfers; Satcom Direct: Golf balls for all golfers; and Snap-on Tools: Toolbox for the Par 3 Challenge.

And for all the great door prizes that were given out: AMT magazine, Corporate Jet Support, Dassault Falcon Jet, Gulfstream Spare Parts and Sales, Haggan Aviation, and West Star Aviation.

And Peter says next time will be even better; what a great endorsement from every one in support of AMTSociety Scholarship program.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The AMTSociety board of directors has created the AMTSociety Thomas E. “Tom” Hendershot Lifetime Achievement Award. This award will honor an individual from the aviation industry who has through his or her efforts been responsible for the improvement of the aviation industry; someone who has lead by setting a high standard of commitment and involvement to the aviation industry. Forms can be found on the AMTSociety web site; they must be postmarked by Dec. 15, 2011 and sent to Industry Award, 13183 Regulus Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124-2931. The award will be presented on Friday, March 9, 2012 in conjunction with the Maintenance Skills Competition Awards Program at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Toolbox raffle

Please don't forget to purchase your tickets for AMTSociety Scholarship Program. Donation is $5 per ticket or three for $10. The drawing will be held Friday, March 9, 2012 during the MSC Awards Program and the winner need not be present to be eligible. The winner will receive a Snap-on KRA 4107D toolbox in your choice of color and with your choice of hand tools worth $2,500, and it will be shipped to your destination. Total value is $5,000. Remember it is tax deductible and revenue goes directly to the scholarship program.

Corporate sponsor: Silvertronic

Representing the North American Division, Silvertronic Inc. has established itself as a leading supplier of the highest quality fused and unfused instrument test leads and accessories. Its manufacturing facility, Silvertronic Limited, located in Great Britain, provides it with products that meet the highest quality standards available worldwide. Customized lead assemblies are its specialty, meeting its cus-tomers' special needs via application-specific products. Silvertronic Inc. also provides a range of prod-ucts under the SPECLEADS brand. This product family includes an extensive variety of electrical test clips and insulators. These products serve a variety of markets including: electrical, electronic, automotive, avionic, telecom, health and beauty, sport and leisure, and more!

Silvertronic Inc., established in 2005, continues to grow through new technology, advanced products, markets, and value-added capabilities. By meeting the needs of its customers it has created unique and useful tools. It also supplies all U.S. military branches with customized products meeting each segment's unique needs.

OX5 Aviation Pioneers

Thomas Hendershot was inducted into the OX5 Aviation Pioneers Hall of Fame in Hammondsport, NY, at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum on Sept. 23-25, 2011.

Pictures from the OX5 Aviation Pioneers Hall of Fame. Tom Hendershot was inducted in September. The event lasted over a span of three days with tours, presentations, and awards.

State of AMTSociety Address

We have been extremely busy of late with representing you, the membership, at various meetings some of which will be discussed this month.
On Sunday, Sept. 9, 2011 I attended a meeting with Melvin O. “Mel” Cintron, Division Manager of the General Aviation and Commercial Division, AFS-800. The main point discussed was the FAA AMT Awards Program. There are indications across the United States that the infrastructure for training, safety, and self-improvement is being used by the number of individuals who have or are registered on FAASafety.gov and completed courses, or have made entries for courses they have completed elsewhere. I would encourage each and every one of you to register, complete a “core program,” enter your completed data, and receive an award. If you have further questions, review AC 65-26E or contact me with your concerns.

Aviation Technician Education Council

The semi-annual ATEC board of directors meeting was conducted on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, in addition to the afternoon session on Friday with FAA/AFS-300 at Enfont Plaza Headquarters. The schools for A&P training that participate in the organization are also involved in the FAA's FAR 147 ARAC. Although more than two years was committed to this very important project, it is still under review and we are not certain of a definite date for the industry.

Emily Griffith Technical College

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) donated a jet engine to the airplane hangar of West High School where young students explore the science of aviation. On Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, this prototype Continental J69 engine was presented as part of an Education Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the U.S. Air Force Academy's Department of Aeronautics, Emily Griffith Technical College, and Denver West High School.

In close partnership with Emily Griffith Technical College (EGTC), West High School is one of only a few such programs in the country, promoting aviation maintenance technology to high school students interested in a career in aviation.

As Colonel Neal Barlow, chair of the Academy's Engineering Division expressed, “We are excited to share this engine with West High School as an excellent teaching tool and to motivate another generation of students to pursue careers in aviation as well as science, technology, engineering, and math.”

Added member benefits

For all new members after September you will receive a one-year subscription to Trade-A-Plane. A copy will be delivered to your address every month for one year. This is for new members only.

In support of your dedication to the future of the aviation community, Avjobs is offering a special discount. Eligible participants are provided with an extended free service period of 12 months added to the end of an existing account's regular subscription cycle. You will have to provide documentation of being an AMTSociety member or having a certificate of completion from the AMTSociety IA renewal training program. There will be a special offers form on the Avjobs web site.

2011-2012 AMTSociety IA Renewal Consortium Program

The first IA Renewal program was held Sept. 17 at Crimson Technical College in Los Angeles. Speakers included Bob Hobbi from Service Elements, Dan Prairie from Textron-Bell Helicopter, Mark Collins from FedEx, Paul M. Foster from the FAA, and Ross Gregory from the FAASTeam.

– Stay safe, Tom Hendershot

Actively Engaged

For those of you who are not aware the policy clarifying the definition of “actively engaged” for purposes of Inspection Authorization policy becomes effective Sept. 6, 2011. The FAA views the actively engaged requirement as providing maintenance experience relevant to conducting inspections. Similarly, the two-year period provides the receiving of experience in maintenance performance or supervision necessary to conduct inspections.

“The FAA previously determined involvement solely in an academic environment is not actively engaged. Refresher training attendance alone does not satisfy the requirements.”
To see the explanation in the Federal Register visit http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-08-04/pdf/2011-19741.pdf.

CFR Title 14: Aeronautics and Space, FAR 65 Subpart D – Mechanics § 65.91 Inspection Authorization: FAR 65.91 (c) (1) – (4)

3. To be eligible for an inspection authorization, an applicant must –
   1. Hold a currently effective mechanic certificate with both an airframe rating and a powerplant rating, each of which is currently effective and has been in effect for a total of at least three years;
   2. Have been actively engaged, for at least the two-year period before the date he applies, in maintaining aircraft certificated and maintained in accordance with this chapter;
   3. Have a fixed base of operations at which he may be located in person or by telephone during a normal working week but it need not be the place where he will exercise his inspection authority;
   4. Have available to him the equipment, facilities, and inspection data necessary to properly inspect airframes, powerplants, propellers, or any related part or appliance;

§ 65.93 Inspection Authorization: Renewal

1. To be eligible for renewal of an inspection authorization for a two-year period an applicant must present evidence during the month of March of each odd-numbered year, at an FAA Flight Standards District Office or an International Field Office, that the applicant still meets the requirements of § 65.91(c) (1) through (4). In addition, during the time the applicant held the inspection authorization, the applicant must show completion of one of the activities in § 65.93(a) (1) through (5) below by March 31 of the first year of the two-year inspection authorization period, and completion of one of the five activities during the second year of the two-year period:
   1. Performed at least one annual inspection for each 90 days that the applicant held the current authority; or
   2. Performed at least two major repairs or major alterations for each 90 days that the applicant held the current authority; or
   3. Performed or supervised and approved at least one progressive inspection in accordance with standards prescribed by the Administrator; or
   4. Attended and successfully completed a refresher course, acceptable to the Administrator, of not less than 8 hours of instruction; or
   5. Passed an oral test by an FAA inspector to determine that the applicant's knowledge of applicable regulations and standards is current.
2. The holder of an inspection authorization that has been in effect:
   1. for less than 90 days before the expiration date need not comply with paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section.
   2. for less than 90 days before March 31 of an even-numbered year need not comply with paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section for the first year of the two-year inspection authorization period.
3. An inspection authorization holder who does not complete one of the activities set forth in § 65.93(a) (1) through (5) of this section by March 31 of the first year of the two-year inspection authorization period may not exercise inspection authorization privileges after March 31 of the first year. The inspection authorization holder may resume exercising inspection authorization privileges after passing an oral test from an FAA inspector to determine that the applicant's knowledge of the applicable regulations and standards is current. An inspection authorization holder who passes this oral test is deemed to have completed the requirements of § 65.93(a) (1) through (5) by March 31 of the first year.

Under the new definition, on meeting § 65.91(c)(1) through (4) requirements, refresher training attendance alone does not satisfy those requirements. In addition to AMTSociety's IA renewal training, you must also comply with the “actively engaged” requirements in FAR 65.91(c)(1)-(4) to meet the requirements of IA renewal.

Carol E. Giles retires

On Wednesday, July 20, 86 former co-workers and individuals from the industry gathered for dinner and a retirement program for a longtime friend and advocate of AMTSociety, Carol E. Giles. After 31 years of service to the FAA in many job assignments, and the last three years as the division manager of the Aircraft Maintenance Division AFS-300 in the Flight Standard Service located in Washington, D.C., Carol has strongly committed to the AMTSociety Scholarship Golf Outing and also the Maintenance Skills Competition in Las Vegas. Thank you for all you have done for the mechanics in the diversified areas Carol, and happy days in your retirement. We will surely miss you. Thank you all very much for your involvement in AMTSociety.

General Aviation Awards

Recipients of the 2011 National General Aviation Awards are Joseph “Joe” Morales (A&P, IA, CFI) of Lakewood, CO, AMT of the Year; Russell John “Russ” Callender, FAA repairman and pilot of Houlton, WI, Avionics Technician of the Year; Vicki Lynn Sherman, MCFI of DeLand, FL, FAASTeam Representative of the Year; and Judy Ann Phelps, MCFI-A of Santa Paula, CA, Certified Flight Instructor of the Year.

Since national FAA representation was noticeably absent because of the shutdown, a plan B for Wednesday evening's awards presentation at Theater in the Woods was engineered. Valerie Palazzio, Great Lakes Region FAASTeam program manager, and JoAnne Hill, National General Aviation Awards Program Chairman, explained the Industry/FAA Awards program to an audience of approximately 3,000 AirVenture attendees. They outlined the nomination process and encouraged the audience to nominate worthy individuals in the four GA awards categories. They also explained that the program's expenses and the gifts for the four national winners are provided by the industry's program supporters/donors.

In lieu of FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, four previous national award winners, one in each category, were recruited to present each 2011 winner with his or her plaque. As 2003 National AMT of the Year, Tom Hendershot presented the plaque to Joe Morales. Al Ingle, 2003 National Avionics Technician of the Year presented to Russ Callender.

The GA Awards Committee hosted a luncheon on Thursday July 23 at EAA that was attended by 65 people. The award recipients received gifts from the industry, including monogrammed jackets from AMTSociety.

AMTSociety's first International corporate sponsor

Welcome to David Van Den Langenbergh, airworthiness manager for ABELAG Premier Private Jet Services located at the Brussels National Airport, Zaventem, Belgium.

He communicated to Tom Hendershot saying, “Our maintenance department is 95 percent focused on in-house maintenance of the ABELAG fleet. Of course we do support those that are in need on our apron. Since we are the only business jet operator and FBO at the Brussels Airport, we provide AOG support, etc.

“We can share a lot of experience on EASA Part 145 and Part 66 maintenance aspects. Running a Part 145 department in Europe can be a challenge. “I'm not looking for exposure as a company, just think it is important to be part of the worldwide aviation family.” Very well stated David, and on behalf of AMTSociety board of directors, we welcome you.

AMTSociety annual golf outing

Please sign up for the annual AMTSociety Scholarship Golf Outing at the Rio Secco Golf Course in Las Vegas, NV, on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011. There are some really great awards, and you'll be sure to have a good time. Visit www.AMTSociety.org to register.
– Stay safe. Tom Hendershot

Scholarship fund donation

Attached is a letter from one of our members where he makes a donation to the Charles E. Taylor Scholarship Fund and tells us about his great friend. This is one way to help us pursue our goal for the education of people in the aviation maintenance/avionics areas.

Please accept the enclosed donation to AMTSociety's Charles E. Taylor Scholarship Fund. It is given in memory of Gregory Schaffer, a good friend of mine who passed away June 3, 2011 while working in Israel. Greg started out his aircraft maintenance career working as a mechanic on B52 bombers while in the Air Force. I worked with him in the '70s and '80s while we were A&P mechanics at North Central and Republic Airlines. Greg then moved on to start a very successful career at FedEx and put in more than 25 years there as a mechanic, maintenance representative, and most currently worked in the aircraft acquisition area. Greg touched people all over the world. Here are some excerpts from his guest book: “I first met Greg in August 1975 when we started at North Central Airlines. I have many great memories of working with Greg on MSP night line for both North Central and Republic. He will truly be missed by everyone who knew him.”
“Greg worked in my group in Airframe Vendor Management at FedEx for many years. He was a dedi-cated and knowledgeable aviation professional and a great person that was always a pleasure to be around. He will be dearly missed by all of his friends at FedEx.”

“Working with Greg was always a pleasure. Not only was Greg a wonderful co-worker but a dear friend as well. He was always a pleasure to be around.”

“Greg's dedication and commitment to creating outstanding experiences through his role, along with living the “Purple Promise” each day, are what bind us together now in spirit.”

“Greg was an awesome guy who I truly enjoyed working with. The aviation community has lost a true gentleman and professional.” As all of us AMTs know, the aviation community is actually a small close-knit group. Greg has touched a lot of us. Aviation has lost a very good person.
– Daniel Broten, Instructor, Alabama Aviation Center, Ozark, AL

Corporate Member: Vaughn College

Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology was established more than 70 years ago in New Jersey. Now based near LaGuardia Airport in Flushing, NY, it offers degrees in aircraft operations, airport man-agement, airline management, aviation maintenance, electronic engineering technology, aviation maintenance management. The Aviation Training Institute was created in 2001 which offers the aviation maintenance certificate program. Students can earn their FAA airframe and powerplant certificate in as little as 16 months. Aviation maintenance training is one of the college's most popular academic offerings. More than 400 of Vaughn's total student population of 1,500 were enrolled in the Aviation Training Institute in 2011. Students hone their mechanical skills, working on more than a dozen aircraft ranging from the piston-power Cessna 182, Piper Seneca, and Aztecs to the complexities of turbine aircraft such as King Air.

Vaughn's Aviation Training Institute offers state-of-the-art nondestructive testing (NDT), enabling students to prepare for real-world problem-solving. In the composites lab, students study both wet lay-up and pre-preg applications of advance composite materials. The proper use of bagging procedures as well as hot bonding repairs are also extensively covered.

The college's turbine engine test cells provide ample run-up opportunities for students on PT-6s and CJ610s. A newly renovated FAA-authorized Lasergrade test center provides students with all written exams offered by the administration, including the general, airframe, and powerplant exams.

Vaughn College has housed a student chapter of AMTSociety since 2009, and the College's Executive Director of Training, Domenic Proscia, has served on the Aviation Technician Education Council board of directors for more than seven years.
For more information visit www.vaughn.edu or call (719) 429-6600.

State of AMTSociety Address

I want to direct your attention to the AMTSociety scholarship program. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology vice president of marketing, Damon R. Bowling, and I have worked out a terrific addition to the program. There will be five scholarships for Spartan. They are valued at $1,500 each and consist of Associate of Applied Science Avionics Maintenance Technology, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Avionics Maintenance Technology, Associate of Applied Science Aviation Maintenance Technology, Nondestructive Testing, or Associate of Applied Science Quality Control Programs. That brings our scholarship total to nine as of this writing. Be sure to check with the web site for additional information. Should you have any further questions, contact Chairman Joseph C. Hawkins or myself.

Remember the deadline for a complete entry for all scholarships is December 15, 2011.

- Stay Safe, Tom Hendershot

State of AMTSociety Address

Maintenance safety requires training/recurrent training. Although you may have been working in the aviation industry for a number of years, perhaps for the same company and even on familiar equipment, situations may arise where changes have occurred to company policy, procedures, or modifications have been implemented to equipment and/or systems, and/or there have been additions to the fleet. All too often we rely on our past knowledge and experience, unblemished record, or peer pressure, and then continue on with business as usual.

Instead maybe we should say "I don't know," stop, and get help or get training. This may be a good time to take a moment and evaluate the entire situation to see if indeed you do meet the training requirements needed to accomplish the task at hand. Don't let ego or peer pressure get in the way of safety.

Spartan tool presentation
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology hosted the presentation of the Snap-on toolbox and tools to the college on Thursday June 2, 2011. The tools and toolbox worth more than $5,000 were offered as part of AMTSociety's scholarship toolbox raffle won by Michael A. Molzahn, an alumnus of Spartan. When Molzahn won, he said he would donate the tools and toolbox to Spartan and contacted the school to get a list of what the school needed. When Snap-on was notified of what Molzahn intended to do with his prize, the company added another $1,000 worth of special tools for the school. On hand at the presentation was Malcolm Tracy, account manager, Snap-on Tools; Damon R. Bowling, vice president, marketing/admissions, Spartan; Ron Worthington, vice president, student services (also the organizer of the program); Michael A. Molzahn; and Tom Hendershot.

I hope that you and your family enjoy a very nice summer. Be safe.
- Tom Hendershot

State of AMTSociety Address

IA renewal
AMTSociety IA Renewal Consortium program concluded on a positive note Saturday, April 9 in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with ATEC at the 51st annual conference of the Aviation Technicians Education Council. It is nice to report to you that our overall attendance increased again to 1,096, which represents an increase for each of the past three years.

I've already started to work on the schedule for the fall of 2011 and spring of 2012. Please watch the upcoming issues of AMT and our web sites for the new schedule.
-- Tom Hendershot

Membership program
"Refer-a-Friend Program" is effective April 1, 2011; you will receive a free Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver with AMTSociety logo engraved on the handle when you refer friends to join. All new members to AMTSociety will also receive a screwdriver. The limited edition screwdrivers will be given as long as supplies last. A $61.75 value, the screwdriver is in addition to all the other AMTSociety benefits.

Aviation technician groups unite
AMTSociety, the National Business Aviation Association Maintenance Committee, and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association have agreed to align their common interests on behalf of aviation technicians throughout the industry. Meeting recently at the NBAA Maintenance Managers Conference in San Diego, leaders of each group agreed to collaborate on issues related to aviation maintenance, including regulatory concerns, National AMT Day, and the education of technicians. This initiative puts together for the first time, a prominent force dedicated to promoting the aircraft technician and professionalism within the ranks. Each organization will maintain its autonomy and mission while partnering on issues of mutual interest.

Meeting at the NBAA Maintenance Managers Conference in San Diego, leaders of AMTSociety, PAMA, and NBAA agreed to collaborate on issues related to aviation maintenance, including regulatory concerns, National AMT Day, and the education of technicians.

State of AMTSociety Address

IA renewal
AMTSociety IA Renewal Consortium program concluded on a positive note Saturday, April 9 in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with ATEC at the 51st annual conference of the Aviation Technicians Education Council. It is nice to report to you that our overall attendance increased again to 1,096, which represents an increase for each of the past three years.

I've already started to work on the schedule for the fall of 2011 and spring of 2012. Please watch the upcoming issues of AMT and our web sites for the new schedule.
-- Tom Hendershot

Membership program
"Refer-a-Friend Program" is effective April 1, 2011; you will receive a free Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver with AMTSociety logo engraved on the handle when you refer friends to join. All new members to AMTSociety will also receive a screwdriver. The limited edition screwdrivers will be given as long as supplies last. A $61.75 value, the screwdriver is in addition to all the other AMTSociety benefits.

Aviation technician groups unite
AMTSociety, the National Business Aviation Association Maintenance Committee, and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association have agreed to align their common interests on behalf of aviation technicians throughout the industry. Meeting recently at the NBAA Maintenance Managers Conference in San Diego, leaders of each group agreed to collaborate on issues related to aviation maintenance, including regulatory concerns, National AMT Day, and the education of technicians. This initiative puts together for the first time, a prominent force dedicated to promoting the aircraft technician and professionalism within the ranks. Each organization will maintain its autonomy and mission while partnering on issues of mutual interest.

Meeting at the NBAA Maintenance Managers Conference in San Diego, leaders of AMTSociety, PAMA, and NBAA agreed to collaborate on issues related to aviation maintenance, including regulatory concerns, National AMT Day, and the education of technicians.

State of AMTSociety Address

AMTSociety Mx Logs Update

How aware are you?
In the first phase of the FAA Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance study, the FAA determined that one of the major obstacles to technicians achieving productivity goals was their inability to see the big picture.

Often technicians are given only their piece of the puzzle; for example, being assigned tasks with deadlines without explanation or direction, a just-do-it assignment. Another common situation is performing a portion of a major task, possibly without training or explanation as to how their actions affect the overall task.

Accidents and incidents occur when we are unaware of others and when focus is lost. If we train ourselves to be more aware of others while focused on the task at hand, we have taken a major step toward accident and incident prevention in the workplace. To help you stay focused, continually, ask these three questions: How do we achieve situational awareness; how do we know we have situational awareness; and how do we know we have lost situational awareness? Stay alert and stay safe!

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Are you sure that you know how to handle that substance in your hand? What if it spilled, splattered, or dropped on you or your co-worker? Would you know how to administer first-aid? Did you take the proper precautions to prevent cancer, fire, or poisoning yourself?

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) all come with questionable substances and are provided to warn the user on how to handle the substance, provide the proper ventilation, exposure cautions, and how to administer first-aid in case of an accident while in use. The long-term negative effects from mishandling substances can easily be avoided by following these instructions. They come with telephone numbers and contact information for clarification of instructions.

These instructions should be kept alphabetically near the storage area of the substance as well as in the area where the substance is most often used. It is also suggested that the pages be placed in plastic sheet protectors. The table of contents should be immediately updated when a new substance is brought into the facility. The MSDS sheets should be verified for accuracy and currency when a new batch is brought in. If two MSDS books are used they should be evaluated at the same time. It is suggested that the MSDS books be evaluated, initialed, and dated at least once a month. The information in these books could extend your life or save the life of your co-worker. Please do everyone a favor and be familiar with them.

AMTSociety Scholarship program
Congratulations are in order for the following individuals:

• Charles E. Taylor Scholarship: Samantha R. Fowler, Cave City, AR, University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
• William F. "Bill" O'Brien Scholarship: Dillon R. Gardner, Alamosa, CA, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
• Thomas E. "Tom" Hendershot Scholarship: Travis L. Beach, Westminster,
• U.S. Military Scholarship: Todd Grote, Coast Guard Air Station #41, Corpus Christi, TX, United States Coast Guard

The winners have been invited to attend the Cygnus Aviation Expo in Las Vegas. Each of them will receive their respective plaque and be introduced to the attendees of the International Maintenance Skills Competition. There were 167 scholarship application packages reviewed by the scholarship committee. Chairman Joseph C. Hawkins is to be congratulated for an excellent program this year. They are looking forward to an increase of applications this year.

Be safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

2011 Maintenance Skills Competition winners
We'll have more in the next issue but here's a quick rundown: First place in the Military category was the U.S. Navy Gold team. First place in the Schools category was Colorado (Redstone). First place in the MRO/OEM category was AMP. First place for the Commercial category for the second year in a row was Southwest. The team with the fastest score of two hours, 44 minutes, and 24 seconds was Southwest which means the team also won the William "Bill" O'Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance which was presented by Marie O'Brien.

State of AMTSociety Address

On behalf of AMTSociety, the board of directors, and staff, I would like to wish you good health and happiness this year!

As you know, our industry has not been immune to the impact of the recession. The good news is that we believe aviation is on the upswing and we are part of the solution. The skills and dedication of our aircraft maintenance professionals set us apart. Each of us lives and breathes our industry and I am sure you share my belief that we will not only survive, but thrive, during the months and years to come.

AMTSociety has existed to serve your IA renewal needs for four years by offering quality education programs in convenient locations. Our relationship with the FAA has ensured our ongoing ability to meet your continuing education hours.

Please note that due to the current economic conditions, we will be introducing an $18 IA renewal fee for all registrations received after Dec. 31, 2010. The fee will be payable online or during on-site registration of the event. My team will continue to work diligently in maintaining a program that offers great value and convenience to our members.

I appreciate your continued commitment to AMTSociety and promise, individually and as an organization, we remain committed to promoting, protecting, and enhancing our craft and the aviation industry.

Be safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

Ground Operations
As winter gets in to full swing across the country, as mechanics we should be aware of its impact on our surface operations at the airport. Operating on a snow or ice-covered surface - either in a ground vehicle or an aircraft - requires an extra degree of caution. Movement of ground equipment should be done in a manner that allows you to avoid sliding or skidding into other equipment or aircraft, or skidding across hold lines.

Extreme caution also is required/needed when towing an aircraft due to the added weight, and the fact that most of the time you are relying solely on the braking action of the tug to stop both the aircraft and the tug. On wet, slick, or icy surfaces, the aircraft in tow can suddenly jackknife out of control as you turn or attempt to stop. The same cautions must also be adhered to when taxiing on aircraft in these conditions.

When diminished braking action is present, the aircraft can slide off taxiways and/or runways if one is not careful. When you are taxiing and approaching hold lines and turns, be sure to use minimal speed to ensure your ability to come to a stop prior to the hold line or to avoid skidding off the taxiway. Another very important factor, as with all ground operations, keep your eyes outside the cockpit while taxiing and be sure to adhere to all ATC instructions.

Toolbox raffle
To support the AMTSociety Scholarship Awards program, Snap-on Industrial is donating a $2,500 seven-drawer toolbox, Model KRA4107D, along with $2,500 Snap-on tools of the winner's choice. Measuring 40" x 20", the toolbox will be awarded to the winner of a drawing following the Maintenance Skills

Corporate Sponsors
Competition on Feb. 25, 2011 in Las Vegas. The winner can decide on the color along with $2,500 worth of Snap-on tools of his or her choice.

The cost of the tickets is one for $5 or three for $10 and is tax deductible as the scholarship fund is under 501(c)3 status. Tickets will be available at IA seminars, Cygnus Aviation Expo, and from the board of directors.

Mark your calendars 2010-2011 IA Roadshow
Please take the time to review the schedule below, and keep in mind that this training is not just for the holders of Inspection Authorization but for all personnel involved in the aircraft maintenance process. The previous IA renewals have been well attended and we appreciate you taking the time to attend and benefit from the speakers and training that we provide. If you are going to attend, please preregister so we can plan accordingly.

• Feb. 16, 2011, Kansas City, MO
• Feb. 23-24, 2011, Aviation Industry Expo, Las Vegas
• March 16, 2011, Aurora, CO
• April 9, 2011, ATEC Annual Meeting & FAA/DME Renewal, Orlando, FL

AMTSociety Scholarships
At the December board of directors' meeting, it was unanimously decided that notification will be sent to each of the winners upon the committee's selection. That will give the recipient of each award the chance to attend (at their expense) the Cygnus Aviation Expo to be held in Las Vegas where the winners will be formally announced on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011. Contact Joseph C. Hawkins, scholarship chairman or Tom Hendershot for additional information.

AMTSociety would like to thank Michael A. Molzahn for his very gracious donation again this year to the scholarship program. It is very much appreciated. This is one way we can give the students today the financial help to keep this great industry trained and well-prepared.

Maintenance Skills Competition
The AMTSociety's 4th Annual Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC) will be held in just a few short weeks, Feb. 23 -25th, 2011. It is again being held in Las Vegas during the Cygnus Aviation Expo. The MSC has grown from just nine teams in 2008 to 15 teams in 2010 to 25 teams in 2011. There doesn't seem to be a slow down in the interest in companies, organizations, or individuals teaming up who want to compete.

The 2011 MSC will again see the return of international teams from China and Australia as well as a scheduled team of AMTs forming Team Mexico! The 2011 MSC will see the entry of some new teams most notably Team Boeing, Team Alaska, and Team UPS. But there is also an entrant that is competing to show the industry that they are serious about the AMT craft and profession. This team is the Association of Maintenance Professionals (AMP) and they are currently in the process of trying to represent the AMT craft and class at American Airlines. MSC provides an opportunity to showcase the knowledge, skill, and integrity each and every AMT/AME possesses in order to provide safe, airworthy aircraft.

As the chairman for the MSC it is my honor to assemble the events for the MSC, which would not be possible without the support of the companies who supply the events, but my privilege to be associated with the many men and women who compete in each and every MSC! See you in Las Vegas!

-- Ken MacTiernan, Director AMTSociety, Chairman MSC

Corporate Sponsor: Bell Helicopter
Founded in 1935 as Bell Aircraft Corp., Bell continues to set the pace for the industry and expand the scope of vertical lift. Bell Helicopter was the first to obtain certification for a commercial helicopter. Over its rich history, Bell has delivered more than 35,000 aircraft to its customers around the world.

With forward thinking in advanced concepts, Bell Helicopter invented tilt rotor aircraft. These unique aircraft lift like a helicopter, then fly like an airplane with twice the speed, three times the payload, and five times the range of traditional helicopters.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, Bell Helicopter has additional plants in Amarillo, TX, and Mirabel, Canada. It maintains key logistics supply and service centers in Europe, Canada, and Singapore as well as in the United States.

Corporate Sponsor: Dassault Falcon
Dassault Falcon is responsible for selling and supporting Falcon business jets throughout the world. It is part of Dassault Aviation, with a presence in more than 70 countries across five continents. Dassault Aviation produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcon business jets.

The company has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities on multiple continents. It employs a total work force of more than 12,000. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, 2,000 Falcon jets have been delivered to 67 countries worldwide. The family of Falcon jets currently in production includes the tri-jets - the Falcon 900EX EASy, 900LX, and the 7X -- as well as the twin-engine Falcon 2000LX.

Falcon Customer Service provides product support and assistance to operators of all Falcons, from legacy aircraft to the most modern models. Call anytime at: (201) 541-4747 or (33) 1 4711 3737.

State of AMTSociety Address
I sincerely hope that each of you and your family enjoys a Happy Thanksgiving and that the Christmas season is a happy time for all. On behalf of the entire AMTSociety board of directors we wish you all a very prosperous and Happy New Year.

Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame
On Oct. 23, 2010, AMTSociety Executive Director Tom Hendershot was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame. We'll have more on the event and Tom's many accomplishments in the January/ February issue of AMT magazine.

Toolbox Raffle
To support the AMTScholarship program, Snap-on Industrial is donating a $2,500 seven-drawer toolbox, Model KRA4107D, along with $2,500 Snap-on tools of the winner's choice. Measuring 40" x 20", the toolbox will be awarded to the winner of a drawing following the Maintenance Skills Competition on Feb. 25, 2011 in Las Vegas. The winner can decide on the color along with $2,500 worth of Snap-on tools of his or her choice. The cost of the tickets is one for $5 or three for $10 and is tax deductible as the scholarship fund is under 501(c)3 status. Tickets will be available at IA seminars, Cygnus Aviation Expo, and from the board of directors.

New Procedures for Cygnus Aviation Expo Registration
In an attempt to streamline and improve the entire registration process in Las Vegas, NV, for the Maintenance Skills Competition, please note the following procedures are in effect immediately.

Who Can Enter: To enter the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition as a member of a team, you must be a licensed AMT or AME involved in, and/ or supporting aircraft maintenance functions at any organization, company, or corporation. Also, any currently enrolled student in an FAA, EASA, CASA, or equivalently authorized school may enter. Personnel of any country's Armed Forces involved in the aircraft maintenance field are also eligible.

Team Costs: $500 USD per team, also each member of the team must be a current AMTSociety member. Not a current member? Join at www. amtsociety.org. Pricing varies on status within the industry; membership levels include regular/associate, student, active military, and instructor.

How to Register: It is important to include an email address for each person; this is how you will receive your registration confirmation which also includes information on how to book your special MSC discounted hotel rate for the Flamingo and other important MSC updates.

Teams: Each team must select one Lead person to register every team member, guests, and other company representatives involved with MSC.

The Lead person will complete the registration information; select or add another registrant; and nearly all of the information will be prepopulated into the next person's registration.

The Lead person should have the following information available when registering team members, guests, and other company representatives: individual names, job titles, email addresses, contact phone numbers, and any other contact information that would be different from the Lead's. The Lead will need to choose the relationship of the registrant to the team; example, team member, captain, coach, guest, etc.

Guests: Each team member/judge is allowed one guest. All guests should register using the above directions. Select Guest as your team member type.

Registration and payment must be completed by Feb. 5, 2011. Complete information and details regarding the Maintenance Skills Competition can be found at www.amtsociety.org.

Be safe.
- Tom Hendershot

Mark Your Calendars 2010-2011 IA Roadshow
Please take the time to review the schedule below, and keep in mind that this training is not just for the holders of Inspection Authorization but for all personnel involved in the aircraft maintenance process. The previous IA renewals have been well attended and we appreciate you taking the time to attend and benefit from the speakers and training that we provide. If you are going to attend, please preregister so we can plan accordingly.
Dec. 8, 2010, Seattle, WA
Jan. 12, 2011, Express Jet Airlines Training Center, Houston, TX
Jan. 26, 2011, Atlanta, GA
New: Feb. 5, 2011, Spartan School of Aeronautics, Tulsa, OK
Feb. 9, 2011, Phoenix, AZ
Feb. 16, 2011, Kansas City, MO
Feb. 23-24, 2011, Aviation Industry Expo, Las Vegas
New: March 9, 2011, WATC, Wichita, KS
March 16, 2011, Aurora, CO
April 9, 2011, ATEC Annual Meeting & FAA/DME Renewal, Orlando, FL

Corporate Sponsor: Fairfield Inn Denver Airport
The Fairfield Inn by Marriott is a brand that has a lot of history and a very bright future.
In 1951, J. Willard Marriott Sr. discovered a 4,200-acre piece of the Blue Ridge foothills that reminded him of his boyhood days on the family farm in Utah. Since then, the property always known as 'Fairfield," has remained as calm and pristine as when the founder of Marriott International purchased it. Just as Marriott retreated and rode the ranch with U.S. presidents and business leaders around the world, Marriott Ranch still provides guests and businesses with the same benefits.

Fairfield Inn by Marriott was developed in 1987 for the value-conscious business travelers, who said they wanted a clean, comfortable room, a consistent product, a safe environment, and friendly service. Fairfield Inn has grown, and now is one of the largest brands owned by Marriott.

The Fairfield Inn by Marriott Denver International Airport is no exception. It imbues all of the Marriott culture, including an extreme devotion to its guests, customers, employees, and community.

Corporate Sponsor: Sensenich Propeller Service
Sensenich Propeller started when brothers Martin and Harry Sensenich built a propeller for a snow sled that was powered by an engine and a propeller. They lived on a large farm in Lancaster, PA, and had a need for a more efficient form of transportation.

They were so pleased with the work they had done on the propeller that they decided to make a new business carving propellers. They set up their business in a building that is now on the property of Lancaster Airport, Pennsylvania, and by the 1930s Sensenich Brothers Propeller Company was incorporated. In the 1940s there was a high demand for propellers by the military and the company grew from under 100 employees to more than 400.

By the 1950s the owners and employees of Sensenich saw the need to expand their capabilities. They decided to expand into the repair and overhaul services of propellers. The company serviced and still services general aviation, airlines, corporations, fixed-base operators, and the government.

In 1989 the company was sold to Philadelphia Bourse Inc. in Philadelphia, PA. The name was changed to Sensenich Propeller Corp. and the wood manufacturing was relocated to Plant City, FL.

In 1994 Sensenich Propeller Corp. expanded its overhaul and service skills and opened another FAA 145 certified repair station in Gainesville, GA, at Lee Gilmer Airport. In 1995 two employees, Joseph Maus and C. Ray Hershey, purchased the repair/overhaul operations of the company. Because of the well-respected name of Sensenich they renamed the company Sensenich Propeller Service Inc.

AMTSociety Military Scholarship
AMTSociety is supporting U.S. military personnel by offering an A&P scholarship program with the help of Baker's School of Aeronautics and the Northrop Rice Foundation. The total value of the scholarship is estimated at more than $3,000. All military personnel from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marines, and U.S. Navy are eligible to apply. The application form will be available on the AMTSociety web site (www.AMTSociety.org).

AMTSociety will pay for the hotel expenses at the Wingate Hotel by Wyndham and Baker's School of Aeronautics, Nashville, TN, will provide the classroom training for the applicant's general, airframe, and powerplant training, and the preparation for the oral and practical examinations.

State of AMTSociety Address
With the NBAA conference in Atlanta coming up, I hope to see many friends and industry associates there.

Maintenance Safety Tip: Grease
Not all grease is equal. Grease is grease, right? Wrong. Yes it's all greasy but that is where thesimilarity ends. If not otherwise approved, using the substitute lubricant is as unsafe as using substitute hardware. The damaging results for using improper lubricants may not be immediate, but over time may lead to failure or damage. It may be long after the ink has dried in the maintenance records, but when the failure happens, it will still belong to you.

Aircraft manufacturers go to great lengths to determine the proper lubricants to use on their equipment. They establish the optimum application intervals as well as to provide lubricant identification and the instructions on how to perform proper lubrication. Where can you find this information? You have it! It's in their respective maintenance manuals. Most manuals have a chapter that is dedicated only to lubrication. When is the last time you carefully read these instructions? You work in a diverse aviation industry. Some technicians are employed by a major air carrier, some from regional air carriers. Some work as independents competing for business from the small general aviation aircraft owner. All of the lubrication instructions are nevertheless available either on lubrication cards supplied by their employer or delineated in the small general aviation aircraft maintenance manual. Read them, use them, understand them, and follow them. If you do not have the right stuff on hand to do the job, then get it. If you don't, then you truly don't have the "right stuff" to be a professional AMT. Ponder this, how would you feel if you knew that the auto mechanic, who just re-lubed the wheel bearings on your family's car, used petroleum jelly rather than the required high-temperature bearing lube? Do it by the book "always" and avoid the "failure to follow procedures" syndrome.

Toolbox Raffle
To support the AMTSociety Scholarship Awards program, Snap-on Industrial is donating a $2,500 seven-drawer toolbox, Model KRA4107D, along with $2,500 Snap-on tools of the winner's choice. Measuring 40" x 20", the toolbox will be awarded to the winner of a drawing following the Maintenance Skills Competition on Feb. 25, 2011 in Las Vegas. The winner can decide on the color along with $2,500 worth of Snap-on tools of his or her choice. The cost of the tickets is one for $5 or three for $10 and is tax deductible as the scholarship fund is under 501(c)3 status. Tickets will be available at IA seminars, Cygnus Aviation Expo, and from the Board of Directors.

New Procedures for Cygnus Aviation Expo Registration
In an attempt to streamline and improve the entire registration process in Las Vegas, NV, for the Maintenance Skills Competition, please note the following procedures are in effect now.

Who Can Enter:
To enter the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition as a member of a team, you must be a licensed AMT or AME involved in, and/or supporting aircraft maintenance functions at any organization, company, or corporation. Also, any currently enrolled student in an FAA, EASA, CASA, or equivalently authorized school may enter. Personnel of any country's Armed Forces involved in the aircraft maintenance field are also eligible.

Team Costs:
$500 USD per team, also each member of the team must be a current AMTSociety member. Not a current member? Join at www.amtsociety.org. Pricing varies on status within the industry; membership levels include regular/associate, student, active military, and instructor.

How to Register:
It is important to include an email address for each person; this is how you will receive your registration confirmation which also includes information on how to book your special MSC discounted hotel rate and other important MSC updates.

Teams:
Each team must select one Lead person to register every team member, guests, and other company representatives involved with MSC.

The Lead person will complete his/her registration information; select or add another registrant; and nearly all of the information will be pre-populated into the next person's registration.

The Lead person should have the following information available when registering team members, guests, and other company representatives: individual names, job titles, email addresses, contact phone numbers, and any other contact information that would be different from the Lead's. The Lead will need to choose the relationship of the registrant to the team; example, team member, captain, coach, guest, etc.

Guests:
Each team member/judge is allowed one guest. All guests should register using the above directions.

Select Guest as your team member type.

Registration and payment must be completed by Feb. 5, 2011. Complete information and details regarding the Maintenance Skills Competition can be found at www.amtsociety.org.

AMTSociety IA program

Our apologies to those who showed up in Tulsa not knowing the program had been rescheduled. Sorry for the inconvenience, please know that you are important to us as is the training program. If you make plans to come to the Roadshow, please register ahead of time so we know how many to expect. Please take the time to review the schedule located within these pages, and keep in mind that this training is not just for the holders of Inspection Authorization but for all personnel involved in the aircraft maintenance process. Also the new AMT Awards program is nice! Check it out now! And above all, be safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

Mark Your Calendars 2010-2011 IA Roadshow Schedule

• Oct. 18, 2010, NBAA Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA
• Oct. 27, 2010, Mahwah, NJ
• Nov. 3, 2010, Sacramento, CA
• Nov. 17, 2010, Pittsburgh, PA
• Dec. 8, 2010, Seattle, WA
• Jan. 12, 2011, Express Jet Airlines Training Center, Houston, TX
• Jan. 26, 2011, Atlanta, GA
• New: Feb. 5, 2011, Spartan School of Aeronautics, Tulsa, OK
• Feb. 9, 2011, Phoenix, AZ
• Feb. 16, 2011, Kansas City, MO
• Feb. 23-24, 2011, Aviation Industry Expo, Las Vegas
• New: March 9, 2011, WATC, Wichita, KS
• March 16, 2011, Aurora, CO
• April 9, 2011, ATEC Annual Meeting & FAA/DME Renewal, Orlando, FL

State of AMTSociety Address

Training is one of the cornerstones for AMTSociety. It has been a requirement since time began for nearly everything we do, and understandably so. In addition to the monthly pocket calendar the FAA has made available to all aviation maintenance technicians, there is the FAA Personal Minimums Checklist Before and After. I can guarantee to all of you that if you use this handy little guide you will never have a problem with your work and it is also good for training. There is an old saying in aviation, "Learn from the mistakes of others, because you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself." I don't know about you but I would rather have someone learn from excellent performance than my fatal mistake. All of us can learn to be better technicians, whether from others or through our own initiative. Never compromise your integrity or professionalism.  Perform a self-assessment to determine if you are falling into the trap of the Dirty Dozen human factors errors. The career or the life that you save might be your own. Never forget that many people, some whom you don't even know, rely on you to perform the very best maintenance in the world. How can you do an effective assessment of your work? Use the Maintenance Personal Minimums Checklist. It is a list of 10 questions you ask yourself and honestly answer before you do a task and after you finish. Do you use it? If you don't, then start now. If you do, then continue to do so and encourage your fellow workers to use it.

Ask the FAASTeam manager in your area for the Personal Minimums Checklist to fit your needs. There is a small card for your wallet or ID badge, there is a large one for your toolbox, and a larger one to hang on the wall as a reminder to all. On another note I would like to thank Michael Molzahn for his contribution to the scholarship program. He is the first member to do so, and Mike also attended six different IA consortium roadshows in 2009-2010. We have had two more toolboxes donated to the Passing the Wrench Program (see news item on AMTonline for more information) and on May 24 I received a request for information from one of our members seeking information on how to leave his toolbox in his will for AMTSociety to use as we see fit.

Until next time, stay safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

Added scholarship
On April 15, the AMTSociety Board of Directors voted unanimously to add an additional scholarship to the existing two currently being offered. It is known as the Thomas "Tom" E. Hendershot Scholarship Award. Nathan Thomas is the winner of the inaugural $1,500 Thomas E. "Tom" Hendershot Scholarship. He is a student in the Aircraft Training Center of the Emily Griffith Opportunity School in Watkins, CO. Nathan holds a 99.5 grade point average in the Airframe and Powerplant certificate program and will graduate in 2011. He was nominated for his service as a mentor to the underclassmen in the program and he is co-founder of the R/C Flying Club. Incorporating theory of flight sciences, math and aircraft design, Nathan uses remote-controlled aircraft and building techniques as an avenue to introduce aviation to aspiring youth in area schools and throughout the community.

State of AMTSociety Address

Well folks, by the time you are reading this, another AMT Day will be before us. This is a very special day for all AMTs because it singles out one day whereby the entire industry can stop and recognize the men and women who are the faces behind safety in aircraft maintenance. Having May 24 as AMT Day also helps our profession to spread the word about aviation's original "unsung hero," Charles E. Taylor. Around the globe, on every type of aircraft-- balloon, helicopter, spacecraft, or anything in between, in every type of weather environment from bone chilling cold to brow burning heat, there is a dedicated professional using knowledge, skill, and integrity to properly maintain their respective equipment in a safe and airworthy condition. May 24 is their day.

Currently there are 50 AMT Day resolutions passed and by the time this goes to press Alabama and South Carolina should be added to this number. Celebrations across the country will be held from the big to the small. Country and western bands, barbeques, pizza for all shifts, awards, and prizes will be donated and given away to help make May 24 memorable. Each year, AMT Day grows larger and larger, with more companies taking this day to say thank you to these men and women.  Thanks to Richard Dilbeck, aka Dilly, an FAA inspector from the Sacramento FSDO, for creating the idea of AMT Day and having California become the first state to pass an AMT Day resolution. Kenneth C. MacTiernan, myself, and others have worked for more than 10 years to help get all the states to pass this resolution. I would add that if your company is planning on celebrating AMT Day please let us know. Take pictures and send them to us. We would like to have them on our websites. If your company has not heard about AMT Day, tell them! AMTSociety was created to promote the craft and profession of today's skilled AMT.

With our chapters, IA renewal consortium seminars, Maintenance Skills Competition, golf tournament, scholarship program for Charles E. Taylor and William F. "Bill" O'Brien, and the Passing the Wrench program, along with the leadership of more than 400 years combined experience with our board of directors, AMTSociety is growing daily. One other extremely integral part of AMTSociety is our company sponsors. The list of companies supporting AMTSociety is a virtual who's who of the leaders in the aircraft maintenance community. We are proud to recognize these outstanding companies on our web site, at our programs, and in this magazine. These company sponsors help provide the support and structure necessary for our craft to function. By becoming sponsors, these companies are able to reach a wider range of customers and a broader spectrum of AMTs. The potential for becoming a sponsor is rewarding and helps build not only a stronger AMTSociety, but also a stronger profession. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact me. We would love to have you join.

Until next time. Be safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

State of AMTSociety Address

AMTSociety did the aviation world proud the week of March 15 - 18, 2010. It started with the golf outing on March 15 for the scholarship program. The golf course Rio Secco Golf Club, one of the top three courses in the Las Vegas area, was in beautiful shape, as was the weather, golf was great, food at the banquet was even better, and it took Chairman Peter Zeeb almost two hours to hand out awards and prizes.

Companies who donated prizes include: Gulfstream, Gulfstream Long Beach Spare Parts, Bizjet, Dassault Falcon Jet, Duncan Aviation, WestStar Aviation, AMTSociety, AMT Magazine, Cygnus Business Media Inc., StandardAero, Pratt & Whitney Canada, CAE Simuflite, World Fuel Services, Snap-on Tools, Western Jet, Golden State Penetrants, and SatComm Direct.

2010 AMTScholarship winners

The recipient for the 2010 AMTScholarship Charles E. Taylor $1,500 award is Vinod Kanna. He attends Central New Mexico Community College.

Shane Cox, a student at Aviation Institute of Maintenance Dallas Campus, is the recipient of the 2010 AMTScholarship William "Bill" O'Brien award for $1,000.

3rd annual AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition

There is a saying that goes "What a difference a day makes." This is very true in many aspects of today's fast-paced life style and workplace. However, in the world of aircraft maintenance today's aircraft maintenance technicians (AMT) and aircraft maintenance engineers (AME), this saying sounds like an eternity because in the world of aircraft maintenance minutes, if not seconds, make a tremendous difference. This is no more apparent than in AMTSociety's third annual Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC).

AMTSociety's third annual MSC was held in Las Vegas on March 16 - 18, 2010 during the Cygnus Aviation Expo. Right from the start at the orientation meeting held the day before competition started you could tell things were going to be different. The first sign of this was just by the sheer number of teams that competed this year -- 25! With five AMT/AMEs per team that makes 125 professional craftsmen competing within five separate categories: Commercial Aviation, General Aviation, Schools, MRO/OEM, and Military.

There were 11 events to be competed in which included, a written test on Charles E. Taylor, a GIV main wheel and brake event, two electrical troubleshooting events, one avionic troubleshooting event, composite repair event, safety wiring event, flight control rigging event, turbine engine troubleshooting event, regulatory research event, and a rigid hydraulic line event.

This year saw the first international teams enter the MSC. Teams from China and Australia came to Las Vegas which helps emphasize the premise behind the MSC and that is an aircraft does not care about the color of an AMT/AME's uniform, skin, religion, sex, nationality, or language. All an aircraft cares about is the knowledge, skill, and integrity of the hand holding the wrench doing the repair. And this year's MSC had a proud example of these AMT/AMEs! The honor and pride that is evident throughout the AMT/AME craft and profession was apparent when the teams from China and Australia were announced a loud round of applause rang out and when the Military Category was being mentioned a standing ovation was given by all in attendance for these men and women in uniform who maintain the very aircraft that provide us all with democracy and freedom!

As in the previous two AMTSociety MSCs, the competitive nature was to be expected but there was also the ever present sense of brotherhood that skilled craftsmen carry amongst themselves such as today's AMT/AMEs possess. The MSC does not promote one group of AMT/AME over another. The MSC is about raising the public's awareness of the heavy responsibilities that today's AMT/AMEs carry in order to provide safe, airworthy aircraft ... worldwide! But, this is a contest and bragging rights are at stake! It is these events which make the MSC challenging and different each year. I wish to thank the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, Nida Corporation, CAE Simuflite, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, (Thanks Dave Hayden!), Duncan Aviation, ATP, Alberth Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association.

Time was used to determine who is awarded a first, second, or third place plaque in each category and the competition was tight! There was no runaway winner in any category and in fact the difference between first and second in the MRO/OEM category was determined by one and a half minutes! A lot of the events had tied scores and some events even had scores that reduced a team's overall score! Some events had scores that might not ever be tied or broken, such as in the case of the Turbine Engine event where a full team of AMT/AMEs had to remove and reinstall a JT8D Engine's hydraulic pump and N1 Tach Generator. This event's top time belonged to American Airlines Team American with an outstanding time of just 19 minutes and 41 seconds. The closest team was over 14 minutes away! (Each of these AMTs received a boroscope set from Snap-on.) Each of the teams in all five categories were within minutes of the teams in front and behind them in the standings. The difference between the standings in each category actually came down to particular events. That's why there are 11 events to compete in. The level of competition was the highest this year thanks to the number of teams who wished to come and show their stuff!

Each of the 25 teams that competed are the epitome of the true "Faces Behind Safety" in aircraft maintenance. This year's MSC also stands out compared to the past competitions by the sheer volume of prizes to be won. Thanks to Snap-on Tools, every AMT/AME and judges for all of the events received a Snap-on reversible, ratcheting screwdriver with the AMTSociety logo and "MSC 2010 Las Vegas" written on the handle. Snap-on also provided six-piece screwdriver sets, 1/4 and 3/8-inch drive shallow socket sets and ratchets, ratcheting box/open end combination wrench sets, and even boroscopes! Other tools awarded were provided by Kennedy Tool Boxes, Pratt & Whitney, Pro Tech Technologies, S & K Hand Tools, DeWALT, and Timberland Boots.

Besides the five different categories to be competed in, there was also the William F. O'Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance which went to the one team out of the 25 that competed that had the lowest overall score. And this year's William F. O'Brien award recipient was Southwest Airlines!
AMTSociety was honored to have once again Carol Giles, manager, Aircraft Maintenance, FAA, as the presenter of the first, second, and third place plaques for all of the categories.

AMTSociety also had the pleasure of having Marie O'Brien present the William F. O'Brien Award which was named after her husband.

A few minutes and seconds sure makes a difference in the world of aircraft maintenance in AMTSociety's MSC. And since it takes me roughly a year to organize each year's MSC, with the help of AMTSociety's Executive Director and Directors, I will sign off now and get ready to arrange an even bigger and better MSC for 2011. But before I go I wish to thank the following teams for letting the public see and understand what a true AMT/AME does 24/7, 365 days a year in all types of weather conditions around the world.

-- Kenneth MacTiernan, AMTSociety Director/Chairman MSC

Commercial Category

• Southwest Airlines, 1st place
• Continental Airlines Team CLE, 2nd place
• American Airlines Team Tech., 3rd place
• American Airlines Team American
• American Eagle
• Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association
• TWU Local 565
• FedEx Team #1
• FedEx Team #2

MRO/OEM Category

• Continental Airlines Base Team, 1st place
• American Airlines Base Team, 2nd place
• Lode (From Beijing, China), 3rd place

General Aviation Category

• Redstone College Colorado, 1st place
• General Dynamics, 2nd place
• Note: Only two teams competed in this category.

School Category

• Aviation Institute of Maintenance Team Atlanta, 1st place
• Aviation Institute of Maintenance Team USA, 2nd place
• Crimson Technical College, 3rd place
• Aviation Institute of Maintenance Team America
• Aviation Institute of Maintenance Team Texas

Military Category

• U.S. Air Force Team McChord, 1st place
• U.S. Navy Team Blue, 2nd place
• U.S. Navy Team Gold, 3rd place
  U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Air Force Team McGuire
• U.S. Air Force Team Dyess

Corporate Sponsor: Cessna

In 1972, Cessna introduced Citation business jets and an entirely different business model to support them. It established the first service centers dedicated to working exclusively on one manufacturer's models. And through the years, other competitors have emulated the concept.

Today, Cessna's nine strategically located and company-owned Citation Service Centers in the United States and Europe set the industry standard. They perform all inspection, maintenance, and service requirements for the entire Citation fleet. The range of maintenance includes all avionics upgrades, complete interior refurbishments, phase inspections, pre-buy inspections, aftermarket installations, and paint requirements.

Cessna has taken its service commitment even further. At first, responding to AOG situations, Cessna developed GO Teams. For even quicker service, it developed the innovative Air Response Team. Cessna invested in well-equipped mobile service units, initially only for AOG situations but soon for scheduled procedures, too -- nearly all maintenance functions previously accomplished only in brick-and-mortar facilities. The next logical step was HomeService, self-contained units with tools located in customer hangars and staffed by permanent Cessna technicians.

Next Cessna created a system of temporary personnel support in customer hangars tailored to fit customer needs. It has grouped its mobile maintenance packages under the banner of ServiceDirect, encompassing mobile service units, AOG GO TEAMS, the Air Response Team, HomeService, and temporary personnel support.

Making sure that customers are considered first is at the core of Cessna Aircraft's new package of maintenance options. It gives Citation owners a wider choice of maintenance options and a choice of where they want services performed.

For more information visit www.customer.cessna.com or call (800) 291-1CSC.

Charles Taylor at U.S. Air Force Academy

On Tuesday March 2, 2010, the U.S. Air Force Academy accepted a bronze bust of Charles E. Taylor from the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association. Aviation's original "unsung hero" will be placed next to the Wright brothers residing in the USAFA's McDermott Library.

Having the first aircraft mechanic alongside Orville and Wilbur Wright in such a prestigious institution as the USAFA helps turn the light of recognition on a man who not only earned but deserves this recognition.

State of AMTSociety Address

The address this month will once again cover many issues. In the January/February issue of AMT magazine, the 2010 recurrent training exam was published. There are 186 questions in this year's exam. The new requirement for the Bronze award is 12 hours. The other two awards are Silver which is 40 hours, and Gold which requires 80 hours. For all the information pertaining to the program, read the new AC 65-25E. You have until Dec. 31, 2010 to complete the exam, plan on a four to six-week period to receive the certificate from AMT.

IA Consortium Program

The AMTSociety IA roadshow consortium program is doing very well and as of this writing there are only three programs left to complete: Kansas City, MO; Las Vegas, NV; and Denver, CO. In case you have missed an opportunity to attend a program, we have had very interesting presentations from Honeywell, Dassault Falcon, Bell Helicopter/Textron, Dayton-Granger, Tdata, Safety-Net Inc., FAA FAASTeam, StandardAero, Global Jet Services, Emteq, CAMP Systems, Pacific Oil Cooler Services Inc., and others.

Passing the Wrench

The board of directors unanimously adopted a new program that will be a great service to the aviation industry. AMTSociety will accept the toolboxes from retired and/or deceased airframe and powerplant mechanics and see that they are given to a deserving individual at an A&P school, which will ultimately benefit the industry.

Scholarship Toolbox Raffle

The board of directors is selling raffle tickets for additional money for our scholarship program. The donation is $2 per ticket, or three tickets for $5. This is a great way to help young people get assistance with tuition costs. The toolbox is a Kennedy combination toolbox.

In closing, I hope to see you at the Cygnus Aviation Expo in Las Vegas, NV. The golf outing and Maintenance Skills Competition will be the biggest events ever. There are 25 teams competing in the Maintenance Skills Competition. One team is from China, another from Australia in addition to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, AIM, Crimson Tech, Redstone College (Denver), and numerous MROs.

Be safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

Corporate Sponsor: Avtrak

Fourteen years have passed since Avtrak entered the industry. Founded in 1996 by Joe and Glenn Hertzler, the company began as a maintenance management firm tracking individual aircraft maintenance compliance. Consulting services were added to provide customers with a complete solution to their maintenance and operational needs. Avtrak's dramatic growth has been fueled by a loyal and enthusiastic customer base. It is proud of the fact that its satisfied customers are its best salespeople.

At the heart of Avtrak is Avtrak GlobalNet. Internet-based Avtrak GlobalNet is the industry standard for tracking turbine aircraft maintenance and regulatory compliance. An ideal system for tracking any mixed fleet, Avtrak currently supports more than 4,000 aircraft representing 170 different fixed wing and rotor wing makes and models.

Avtrak partnered with Advanced Solutions Inc. (ASI) in 2000 to develop Avtrak GlobalNet, which was released in 2001.

Another milestone in Avtrak's success timeline came in 2004 when Gulfstream selected Avtrak to replace its aging, mainframe based, factory maintenance tracking service -- CMP. The resulting Avtrak "emPowered," Gulfstream CMP.net service has been a success and was recently voted the No. 1 OEM Maintenance Tracking Service in the 2009 Aviation International News Product Support Survey.
The company has grown to provide full maintenance and regulatory compliance management services to Part 91, Part 135 flight operations as well as Part 145 repair stations. Avtrak combines core competencies in FAA regulations, aircraft maintenance, and electronic database management to provide the aviation industry with cutting edge technology for continuous regulatory compliance.
Avtrak announced last month at the 2010 Heli-Expo that Evergreen Helicopters has signed an agreement to have Avtrak support its fleet of 47 helicopters with the full suite of Avtrak services.

Avtrak currently has offices in Littleton, CO (HDQ); Wichita, KS; and Lowell, MA. Avtrak's business in Mexico, Latin America, South America, and Europe is rapidly growing and several international offices are in the works. For more information visit www.avtrak.com, email info@avtrak.com, or call (303) 745-5588.

Corporate Sponsor: Snap-on Industrial

Snap-on Industrial has a strong commitment and proven track record in the aerospace industry. For years, its tools have helped keep aircraft flying and ground support equipment operational. Its research and development has led to innovations in new products, such as Flank Drive and the Level 5^TM Tool Control System, both of which improve efficiencies, reduce FOD, and raise the standards of quality and safety to levels never seen before in the industry.

But Snap-on Industrial isn't resting on past accomplishments as it takes tool accountability and control to new heights. The company has developed specialized curriculum for certification and training programs that will ensure technicians meet the standards required by the aerospace industry.

An example of the Snap-on Industrial training offering is torque certification, a program designed to properly train technicians on the applications, uses, and principals of torque and torque tools. The company's torque program certifies that a technician can apply the fundamentals of proper fastener tensioning.

The curriculum, which is divided into three segments, includes 24 hours of instruction that focuses on torque theory, application of torque and corresponding safety measures, and proper use of hydraulic torque tools with large fasteners. The program is taught at technical schools across the United States.

The Snap-on story dates to 1920 and the founding of the Snap-on Wrench Company by Joseph Johnson and William Seidemann, who pioneered the idea of interchangeable sockets and wrench handles. The company manufactured and marketed 10 sockets that would "snap on" to five interchangeable handles, a concept that revolutionized the hand-tool industry.

Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated. Headquartered in Kenosha, WI, Snap-on's sales, distribution, and manufacturing network reaches across 130 countries on every continent. Today, the Snap-on organization boasts 35 manufacturing facilities around the world with nearly 12,000 employees.

For more information on Snap-on Industrial, visit www.snapon.com/industrial, or call (877) 740-1900.

State of AMTSociety Address

The address this month will center on numerous issues. First and foremost is to tell you on behalf of your board of directors and myself that we hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas and that 2010 will be a good and prosperous year for all of us. It is a time for rejoicing and giving, a time for reflecting on things that were achieved during the past year, and also a time for thoughts on future growth, plans, and membership benefits.

On a sad note, one of our Lifetime Members passed away on Sunday Dec. 13, 2009. Howard R. DuFour would have been 95 on Jan. 10. Howard originally came from Detroit, MI. After being introduced to machine tools in technical high school, he was employed from 1932 until 1940 as a draftsman, photographer, and special machinist. During WWII his skills were needed to support the defense industry in Dayton, OH, culminating with an assignment on the Manhattan Project. Remaining in Dayton after the war he operated his own camera repair business. Starting in 1952 he worked in Dayton for Monsanto, Dabel, and National Cash Register, as an instrument machinist, tool and die maker, and machine tool and design engineer, respectively.

By 1976 as a master mold maker, he joined the staff at Wright State University supervising the work at its instrument machine shop. During his lengthy career he co-authored several technical reports and secured several U.S. patents. Howard retired in 1991 and he devoted most of his time to researching the life and times of a kindred spirit, Charles Taylor. Howard was a big help and influence in making May 24 Aviation Maintenance Technicians Day, along with Richard Dilbeck from the Sacramento, CA, FSDO, Kenneth J. MacTiernan from AMTA, and myself to get the support from every state and therefore putting it on the calendar.

AMTSociety corporate sponsor Jennifer C. Baker was inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame. More than 500 aviation aficionados, families, and friends witnessed the induction of Jennifer and three other extraordinary Tennesseans at the 8th Annual Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame Gala and Induction ceremony at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation Nov. 14, 2009. When Jennifer Baker visits elementary schools, she always talks to the children about Charles E. Taylor. Most people are familiar with Wilbur and Orville Wright, she says, but Charles Taylor, the father of aviation maintenance, is not as well known. Baker, who owns Baker's School of Aeronautics near the Nashville International Airport, says aviation mechanics often don't get the recognition and glory given to pilots. But they don't do it for the glamour, she says. They do it because they love it. "They're a different type of breed," Baker says. "They are humble and passionate. They have a sense of pride about the safety of the aircraft."

Jennifer began her career at the school in 1978, when it was King's School of Aeronautics. Being new to aviation she quickly fell in love with the entire aviation world, especially the world of the aircraft mechanic. She became a partner with the owner and later took over the operation of the school. Jennifer taught A&P and IA courses for 16 years before buying out her partner and changing the name to Baker's School of Aeronautics in 1994. She was named the FAA Tennessee Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year in 1999. She is a strong advocate for the aircraft mechanic and has served on numerous committees over the years to help promote the professional status and appeal of an aviation maintenance career. She is currently serving as the secretary (a position she has held since 2001) on the FAA/Industry AMT Awards Committee, as well as the Tennessee Mid-South Aviation Maintenance Committee. Jennifer is also a big supporter of AMT Day each year, celebrating with food, prizes, and a bluegrass band to complement the day.

Don't forget to sign up for the Third Annual AMTSociety Scholarship Fundraising Golf Tournament. It will be held at the Rio Secco Golf Club March 15, just before the start of Cygnus Aviation Expo in Vegas. Visit www.amtonline.com to register.

Thank you for your support. Stay safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

Corporate Sponsor: Pacific Oil Cooler Service Inc.

Pacific Oil Cooler Service Inc. started its operations in 1961 located at Oakland Airport. The original name was Johnson Inc. DBA Pacific Oil Cooler Service Inc. and was housed in a 200-square-foot building.
Paul Saurenman acquired the business in 1988 and moved it to a 1,200-square-foot building at Brackett Airport in La Verne, CA. The company was re-incorporated in 1989 to Pacific Oil Cooler Service Inc.

In 2003 Saurenman purchased Aero-Classics in Huron, OH, which has since been relocated to La Verne, CA. Aero-Classics manufactures new oil coolers for the general aviation world. Having its own engineering and development department, it offers customers coolers manufactured to spec.

Pacific Oil Cooler Service Inc. is a large overhaul and repair facility with an experienced staff. Currently, an overhaul without repairs runs four to five days. Pacific Oil Cooler has technicians that specialize in the Beaver, Warbird, and round/oval coolers.

Corporate Sponsor: Goodrich Corporation

Goodrich Corporation is a global supplier of systems and services to aircraft and engine manufacturers, airlines and defense forces around the world. From aerostructures and actuation systems to landing gear, engine control systems, sensors and safety systems, Goodrich products are on almost every aircraft. It is headquartered in Charlotte, NC.

Goodrich today is dramatically different from the company created in 1870 by Benjamin Franklin Goodrich. Once one of the world's largest and most respected manufacturers of rubber products, it is now a global leader in the aerospace, defense, and homeland security markets. Its markets include large commercial, regional and business aircraft, helicopters, defense and space, original equipment, and aftermarket.

Corporate Sponsor: George T. Baker Aviation School

George T. Baker Aviation School is located in Miami. The school is a public, tax-supported institution authorized by the Florida Department of Education and operated by the Miami-Dade County Public School System. It is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and the National
Center for Aircraft Technician Training (NCATT) and is certificated by the FAA under Part 147 of the FAR Certificate # CT9T072R. It offers instruction in aerospace technology, electronics, avionics, and aircraft maintenance (airframe and powerplant). Both high school and adult students, upon completion of their respective course of study, may receive certificates issued from NCATT, FCC, and the FAA. It is only one of two schools in Florida to be accredited by NCATT and the only school in the country to offer NCATT accredited courses to high school students.

The aviation program was started in 1939 at Miami Senior High School. In 1942 the program moved into the unfinished Roosevelt Hotel. In 1943 the building became known as the Technical High School and several other programs moved into the facility. In 1947 the building was renamed the Lindsey Hopkins Education Center. Classes were held there until 1958 when the aviation program moved into its present quarters adjacent to Miami International Airport. In 1961 the building was dedicated as George T. Baker Aviation Maintenance Technician School to honor Baker who, until his death, had been president of National Airlines, and had donated the land to the school board of Miami-Dade County.

Corporate sponsor: Pro Tech Technologies

The NoiseBuster Active Noise Reduction Safety Earmuff from Pro Tech Technologies was specifically developed for use in high noise, industrial environments that include low-frequency noise coming from equipment such as engines, motors, generators, pumps, blowers, fans, and vacuums -- noise that conventional passive hearing protectors can't handle.

The NoiseBuster takes hearing protection to a whole new level by combining a high performance passive earmuff with breakthrough electronic noise-canceling technology. The passive earmuff is ANSI-standard rated at 26 NRR (noise reduction rating). Then, turn on the active noise reduction electronics, and get another 20 db (decibels) of low-frequency noise cancellation. Reduce the noise. And, experience greater comfort, less anxiety, and improved focus while protecting your hearing.

Try the NoiseBuster ANR Safety Earmuff for yourself. As a member of AMTSociety, you can get a 15 percent discount. Use the Coupon Code ATMS015NB (case sensitive) when you make your purchase at www.noisebuster.net. The professional-grade NoiseBuster will be delivered to you with a AA battery and an audio input cable. The product is available in over-the-head and behind-the-head models.

Corporate sponsor: Safety-Net

After working as hazardous materials professionals for 20 years with local and state governments, in 1998 Dennis and Teresa Durham created a small consulting firm to assist industry with regulatory compliance pertaining to OSHA, DOT, EPA, and the FAA. By the year 2000, the North Carolina based company began to provide services to companies nationwide and soon thereafter built a selective, referral only, client base to include international corporations.

Today, Safety-Net Inc. has purposely focused resources toward providing tailored training programs to assist companies with hazardous materials/dangerous goods shipping requirements, as it applies to shipping and receiving, maintenance personnel, ground crews, and flight crews.

State of AMTSociety Address

I would like to continue this month with more on education and partnerships that AMTSociety has agreements with. The first AMTSociety IA renewal consortium program was on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Los Angeles. It was a good turnout with excellent presentations from Honeywell, Cirrus Aircraft, Pacific Oil Cooler Service, FedEx, Bell Helicopter, and the FAASTeam. The morning break and lunch were provided by Aircraft Appraisals, and the afternoon break was sponsored by Barfield.

ATEC

Friday, Sept. 18 we met with the FAA at AFS-300 Headquarters: Carol E. Giles, manager; Daniel Bachelder, deputy assistant division manager; and Murray Hauling, manager, AFS-350. Edward L. Hall, ASI, and Marcus Cunningham, ASI, represented the FAA. There were 15 ATEC board members in attendance.

Items discussed were: Part 147 final report transition to NPRM update from AFS-300; follow-up and praise for moving IA renewal from one- to two-year cycle; encourage the transition of Form 8610-2 into the IACRA system; encourage ways to make the oral and practical testing process less time consuming (average general, A&P is 20 hours); praise for new FAA-H-8083-30 (ATB), the new FAA-produced general textbook AC 65-9A; discuss DME renewal cycle and FSDO schedule (fiscal year) to accomplish required items; discuss license and certificate terminology displayed on FAA home page; and issues or concerns for ATEC from the FAA.

NCATT

Friday, Aug. 21 the semiannual Northrop Rice Foundation was held in Houston, hosted by FlightSafety. There were 10 board members in attendance. The main issue discussed was the number of scholarships that were given over this past year and the fact that we will give 60 scholarships out this year in addition to the two from AMTSociety.

Stay safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

From EAA: Texas A&M

One of the very interesting and unique presentations at EAA was the Cessna 02A Skymaster which is used for extensive Velocity XL-5RG and Stemme 5-10V testing. USAF Major Aaron A. Tucker, doctoral student, Flight Research Laboratory Department of Aerospace Engineering, and Cecil Rhodes, flight mechanic specialist/research assistant, explained the testing that the Flight Research Laboratory conducts.

Here's Cecil Rhodes' story: "I began working for Texas A&M in October 2005. My career has taken quite a change since I began here. Sure I still work on airplanes and I still enjoy it, but I am doing so much more that is enjoyable and rewarding and sometimes just plain fun.

"The primary research we are doing is Laminar Flow Control, trying to reduce drag on swept wings. One of the main reasons the Cessna O2 was selected for this project is because it has the hard points on the wings. We attach an airfoil onto the left outboard pylon for the flight testing. We then fly the airplane
Cecil Rhodes from Texas A&M with Tom Hendershot at EAA up to 10,500 feet and cold soak the model for 30 minutes and dive down to get enough speed for the testing. The flight test engineer is then able to manipulate an insert that is in the leading edge of the model and control transition of laminar to turbulent air. The flight test engineer views the model through an infrared camera and can see when transition occurs.

"I am also in the process right now of helping reconstruct a wind-tunnel that was brought from Arizona State University. I've been heavily involved with that for just over a year. I'm also the maintenance technician and safety officer for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) research project in which our test-bed is an Extra 300 RC airplane.

"I enjoy working with the students. I am a technical assistant for the aircraft "Senior Design" class. In this class the students actually build a flying model which they designed on paper the semester before. I help out wherever they need me. At the end of the semester the students get to bring their models to a test area and see if the planes will fly. It is an exciting time. We have a professional RC pilot that flies for us and a lot of times he has his hands full. I'm having fun so far and look forward to the next chapter in my aviation career."

McKinley Siegfried

For many of you this next story will be the most incredible one you've ever read, but let me assure you it is true. This 16-year-old was given a birthday present by her parents and grandparents, a Texas Sport kit from the American Legend Aircraft. The family enrolled in the company's KwikBuild Builder Assist Program at the Texas Sport facility in Sulphur Springs, TX. The kit includes the welded and painted fuselage, and the builder has to bolt everything in -- the controls, floorboard, and seats, and route the control cables. The wings are partially assembled and some of the ribs are installed. The builder runs the cables, installs the fuel tanks, the fuel system, as well as the pitot static system. McKinley told me she enjoyed doing the fabric work the most; she really enjoys hands-on projects and is very creative.

She said that the N number was her doing, 416MS, "The airplane was for my 16th birthday and the M and S are my initials. Additionally on the door entering the cockpit she has:"Built by McKinley."

McKinley soloed a Schweizer 2-33 three times on her 14th birthday with her father flying the tow plane. Then on her 16th birthday she soloed a Piper Pacer that her grandfather and uncle co-own. It is a truly amazing story about a beautiful young lady who has a great interest in aviation, not just the flying but in the maintenance aspects also. We certainly need more young people to have the interest and energy that McKinley has.

Board of Directors: Jim Sparks

Jim Sparks has been involved in aviation maintenance for more than 30 years and is a licensed A&P. His career began in general aviation and evolved into mostly business aircraft as a mechanic, electrician, and avionics technician. In addition to extensive hands-on, Sparks spent much of his career creating and delivering educational programs for several training organizations and served as a technical representative for an offshore manufacturer of executive jets.

Currently, he directs the maintenance for a private corporation on a fleet that includes several types of business jets, turbine helicopters, and light single engine aircraft. Sparks takes an active role in the industry and is a member of the NBAA Maintenance Committee and the Honeywell operator board. This is in addition to serving as a board member of the AMTSociety plus being an active participant of the FAA.

State of AMTSociety Address

The address this month will center on EAA AirVenture at Whitman Field, Oshkosh, WI. Senior editor Barb Zuehlke accompanied me to numerous events. It was a pleasure to meet the four FAA General Aviation award winners, each of them are very deserving of their respective award. Here is why:

Lucky Louque, an A&P from Chatfield, TX, is the 2009 National Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year. Louque is the general manager of Air Salvage of Dallas. As an A&P mechanic with inspection authorization, he assists the FAA and the NTSB in aircraft accident investigations. He is also a pilot and a
designated airworthiness representative who conducts safety seminars for pilots and mechanics as a FAASTeam representative. He represented the Dallas FSDO area as well as the FAA's Southwest Region.

Jerry Stooksbury, a repairman/CFI from Fort Collins, CO, is the 2009 National Avionics Technician of the Year. Stooksbury owns Avionics Specialists at the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport. He specializes in avionics upgrades for piston singles and light/medium piston twins. He is a member of the Aircraft Electronics Association as well as Colorado's Civil Air Patrol. Stooksbury represented the Denver FSDO area as well as the FAA's Northwest Mountain Region.

Arlynn Marine McMahon, a master CFI from Versailles, KY, is the 2009 National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year. McMahon is the chief flight instructor, a ground instructor, and the training center manager for Aero-Tech, a Part 141 Cessna Pilot Center at Lexington's Blue Grass Airport. She specializes in training flight instructor candidates. She also serves as a designated pilot examiner and an FAA Safety Team representative. She represented the Louisville FSDO area as well as the FAA's Central Region.

Kent Blair Lewis, a CFI from Keller, TX, is the 2009 National FAASTeam Representative of the Year. Lewis has been active in the FAA safety program for more than six years. In his capacity as a FAASTeam representative, he has coordinated, facilitated, and presented at many highly successful WINGS seminars. A retired U.S. Marine Corps aviator and an active flight instructor, he also assists the NTSB and ALPA with aircraft accident investigations. Lewis represented the Fort Worth FSDO area and the FAA's Southwest Region.

At a picnic honoring the winners, AMTSociety Executive Director Tom Hendershot presented embroidered jackets to each winner.

We'll have more on EAA next issue. Stay safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

Corporate sponsor: NCATT

The National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT) and AMTSociety/AMT Magazine have been active partners since 2006. NCATT has been very pleased with this productive partnership and looks forward to an exciting future. NCATT's role with AMTSociety, as well as with all of its partners, is to be of service in the areas of standards and certifications. This service is applicable for the organization as well as the many members and constituents it represents. NCATT is grateful for this opportunity, and understands that without the continued support and participation of exceptional subject matter experts we wouldn't be where we are today.

Corporate sponsor: The Aviation Consulting Group

"TACG is proud to be a new corporate sponsor of the AMTSociety. We are very excited to work with Tom Hendershot and all of the valuable members that comprise the Society," Dr. Robert Baron, president says.

The Aviation Consulting Group is a small aviation safety consulting firm with offices in Myrtle Beach, SC, and the Fort Lauderdale/Miami, FL, area. TACG was founded in 2000 by Dr. Baron who serves as the president and chief consultant. Assisting Dr. Baron is a highly experienced group of associates with specializations in areas such as airport and air carrier operations, research, and educational effectiveness. TACG's clients include some of the largest airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and defense contractors in the United States and around the world.

TACG offers human factors training. Core competencies include: human factors training and program development; safety management systems training and program development; crew resource management training and program development; line operations safety audits/threat and error management training and program development; and aviation safety research (various areas).

TACG is offering a 10 percent discount to AMTSociety members on any of its human factors training courses. For more information on who TACG Dr. Robert Baron of The Aviation Consulting Group with his plaque for being an AMTSociety sponsor.

Tom Hendershot presenting the AMTSociety plaque to Rick Hestilow, director, and Lee Brewster, programs coordinator, of the National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies.

Corporate sponsor: West Star Aviation

West Star Aviation employs nearly 530 people spread across four locations: East Alton, IL (ALN); Grand Junction, CO (CJT); Hiawatha, IA (HIA); and Dallas, TX (DAL). West Star acquired Jet Aviation's Dallas Love Field MRO facility on Nov. 1, 2006. West Star ALN and GJT are full-service FBOs. Between the facilities they are factory-authorized Cessna Citation service centers, Embraer Phenom service centers, Piaggio service centers, and are FAA certified on all Dassault Falcon aircraft. They are also factory-authorized service centers for most avionics and engine OEMs. The services include maintenance, repair, and refurbishment of Cessna Citation, Dassault Falcon, Gulfstream, Learjet, Challenger, Hawker, Beechjet aircraft, avionics installations and repair, exterior paint, and interior modification and refurbishment.

West Star DAL is a certified repair station concentrating on Citations, including the Sovereign, Mustang, Hawker, Beechjet, King Air, and Learjet. The facility specializes in heavy maintenance, light repair, and avionics installations and support. DAL also supports partial on-site paint and interior capabilities.

West Star HIA is a major supplier of overhauled units for exchange, rental, or outright sale specializing in corporate and regional turbine powered aircraft avionics and instruments. Each year the HIA location expands upon its surplus and inventoried capabilities to better serve the industry. In the beginning, ownership of Premier Air Center in East Alton, IL, was acquired in 2002. On Dec. 31, 2004, the principals of Premier Air Center acquired West Star Aviation in Grand Junction, CO. From then until September 2007, the company operated under the dual name of Premier Air Center/West Star Aviation until the unveiling of its new name -- West Star Aviation Inc. -- at the 2007 NBAA convention.

Since 1945, the American Council on Education (ACE) has provided a collaborative link between the U.S. Department of Defense and higher education institutions through the review of military training and experiences for the award of equivalent college credits for members of the Armed Forces. The evaluation process includes a rigorous review by academic faculty through the military programs section of ACE, and is valuable to our service men and women who are able to earn college credit for the knowledge and skills gained during their military service.

During summer break from his teaching position in the Aerospace Department at Middle Tennessee State University, associate professor and AMTSociety director Joe Hawkins has volunteered on numerous ACE military program reviews. This year ACE review visits included the Coast Guard Air Station Mobile, Naval Center for Aviation Technical Training at Pensacola, FL, and the Army Aviation Warfare Center in Fort Rucker, AL. As a former Army aviator himself, Hawkins is delighted to serve on these visiting teams and considers it an opportunity to "pay it forward" to our service personnel. "Our service members are holding up their part of the bargain serving around the globe, and I feel it's part of our commitment to them to do whatever we can to help ensure academic credit for their military training and experiences," Hawkins says.

More than 2,300 colleges and universities recognize ACE-endorsed transcripts. The results of these evaluations are published online in The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services (www.militaryguides.acenet.edu).

State of AMTSociety Address

Advisory Circular No. 65-25E has been implemented, effective June 3, 2009, when it was signed by John M. Allen, Director, Flight Standards Service. There are many changes; probably the most notable is the name: William (Bill) O'Brien Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Awards Program. It was named after O'Brien for all the work he did for the program after he and Rich Mileham initiated the first program in 1992. Other changes include: mandatory core training that must be completed by all AMTs to be eligible for an individual William (Bill) O'Brien award.

The mandatory core training will focus on aviation maintenance accident/incident causal factors, special emphasis items, and regulatory issues. Core training will be comprised of either one or two online courses, depending on FAA evaluation of training needs. The core training courses can be located and completed 24/7 at www.FAASafety.gov.

The time allotted for each course will count toward the hour requirement for a William O'Brien award. Technicians and employers may be eligible for the AMT awards. The individual technician's award will be an AMT Certificate of Training and an AMT decal signifying the year the award was earned. Individual awards include: Phase I, Bronze Award (12 hours); Phase II, Silver Award (minimum of 40 hours), Phase III, Gold Award (minimum of 80 hours plus completion of college level course of three credit hours or 40 classroom hours in mathematics, English, science, aviation safety, human factors, management, quality control). AMT employers' awards include: Employer Gold Award of Excellence, Employer Diamond Award of Excellence.

For individual awards all phases require that individuals register at www.FAASafety.gov, enroll in the William (Bill) O'Brien Awards Program, and complete the core training courses.

AMTSociety is very involved with this advisory circular and its purpose. I have been the chairman of the FAA/Industry Advisory Committee since 2001.

Stay safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

State of AMTSociety Address

Many of us, in recent times, have either been subject to or have observed the negative economical impact to our industry. The reality of the situation is that our profession is changing and a great deal of uncertainty exists. We see the purpose of AMTSociety to provide direction to our constituency. In this time of insecurity we offer the stability of a well-entrenched and growing professional organization. We have finalized the 2009-2010 schedule for our popular IA Road Shows and rather than reorganizing, we are partnering with strategic allies to provide greater benefits to our members. The time has come for a unified aviation maintenance community. Many benefits can be realized from a single organization. Our sponsors would be able to concentrate all their efforts and resources in one well-defined direction to help us reach our objectives. The FAA would relish the opportunity to have a professional organization willing to steer its regulatory initiatives. The one example that immediately comes to mind are the changes to Advisory Circular 65-25E otherwise known as "The William "Bill" O'Brien Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Awards Program." With the advancements in technology and changing regulatory environment, everyone can benefit from well-targeted educational opportunities and the ability to interact with industry leaders.

The most important asset of AMTSociety is our membership. Networking, utilizing thoughts and ideas of our associates, we can jointly provide our professional community the ability to achieve individual self-improvement including technological advancement, safety enhancements, and maintenance human factors training.

AMTSociety is a growing organization focused on you, the aviation maintenance technician. Our leadership team comes from the trenches and is as diversified as our industry with representation from all aspects of aviation maintenance. We have chapters tailored to the local needs including dedicated groups for our student members. Under the AMTSociety alliance with Cygnus Business Media Inc., we have the support of AMT magazine and affiliation with the widely acclaimed Cygnus Aviation Exposition. We enjoy worldwide recognition and camaraderie with the Maintenance Skills Competition.
AMTSociety has taken the initiative to partner with the FAA providing professional insight to regulatory concerns and is currently represented on 12 industry sanctioned industry advisory boards. Within the last 10 days we have addressed two major aviation organizations; the NBAA Maintenance Committee, and National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT). Both organizations are very receptive to our plans and ideas.

In short, we encourage you to become part of the solution, consider becoming a member of AMTSociety. Visit www.AMTSociety.org for details. For more information contact Tom Hendershot, Executive Director, AMTSociety, (800) 827-8009 Ext. 4404, (303) 799-6870 direct, (303) 909-2699 cell.

AMT Day celebrations

To help celebrate AMT Day 2009 American Airlines held a mini-Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC) where a team of management AMTs competed against a team of TWU Local 565 AMTs in four events that were also held during AMTSociety's MSC in Las Vegas on March 10-12, 2009. This mini-MSC was held to remind people that AMTs have the same responsibilities across the spectrum of our industry. The events included a safety wiring, GIV main wheel removal/installation, Charles E. Taylor written test, and an electrical/avionic troubleshooting. Each event was given 20 minutes to complete and the total time used from each event plus any discrepancies assessed by the respective event judges were added together to calculate a final overall score for each team. The Union team won.

American Airlines also purchased a bronze bust of Charles Taylor from artist Virginia Hess to have on display at DFW's maintenance hangars. Plans call for having this bust on display at the terminal in the future so the public can see who the first aircraft mechanic was and in turn think about those skilled professionals who maintain AA's fleet of aircraft. To help unveil this bust were Ken Durst, AA vice president line maintenance; Blair Gregg, Southwestern regional manager; and Bob Redding, AA executive vice president operations.

This year, it took three chefs to grill all the hamburgers, hot dogs, and barbecued bologna for the more than 140 attendees at the fifth annual AMT Day picnic hosted by Baker's School of Aeronautics in Nashville, TN. The grill masters were Eddie Baker (Baker's School), Orville Hale (Trade-A-Plane) and Michael Hosseini (Extended Stay America). Attendees enjoyed the music of the McMurray blue grass band and more than 40 door prizes were awarded.

Charles E. Taylor's birthday was officially Sunday, May 24, 2009. Haggan Aviation, a CRS - 145 repair station located at Centennial Airport, Englewood, CO, hosted the company's Second Annual AMT Day Program on Friday May 22, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.

There were 59 people in attendance. This year Haggan Aviation invited its AMTs as well as AMTs from the airport, 24 students (who will graduate next month), and an instructor from Redstone College, Broomfield, CO, to join in the festivities. Tom Hendershot, executive director of AMTSociety, made the introductions, and then all enjoyed a lunch, prepared and served by Jim and Sean Carter from the Perfect Landing Restaurant (AMT August 2008, page 28), also located at Centennial Airport. After lunch Jim Hopson, shop supervisor of Haggan Aviation, conducted a tour of the facility.

The group then drove to the Anschutz Corp. corporate hangar facility where Jerry R. Owen, director of aircraft maintenance; Jeff Graser; and the company dispatcher Jan, conducted a tour.

Next it was on to Denver Avionics where Scott Armore, operations manager, conducted a short video program, and tour of the avionics facility. Everyone had the opportunity to observe all aspects of the importance of the avionics on today's aircraft from a glider, single engine aircraft, a Model 23 Lear Jet, and an Eclipse Jet.

Dan Tancrede, president D&G Quality Services; Scott Armore; Jerry Owen; Jim Hopson; Jeff Graser; and Tom Hendershot addressed the entire assembly. It was indeed a great day, one which Charles E. Taylor would have certainly enjoyed.

AAR Indianapolis celebrated AMT Day on May 20 with the leadership team stepping up to the grill cooking burgers and dogs for all of the AMTs and support team. The MRO took time to recognize the achievements of the 500 plus AMTs at the facility that have earned FAA training awards which included five Diamond Award recipients. The Indianapolis facility also received the Diamond Award for the fifth straight year for 100 percent participation in the program. In addition to the training awards AAR Indy recognized the team's hard work and the progress made in implementing lean processes and improving the value of the product provided to the customer. AMT Day at AAR is about recognizing the achievements of our people and celebrating our profession, said Danny Martinez, vice president and general manager of AAR Indianapolis.

In celebration of AMT Day, AAR MRO leaders, Darrell Sims Sr., vice president People Programs, and Rayner Hutchinson, VP Quality & Safety, along with Greg Dellinger, AAR's director of recruiting, participated in a very special career day at E.F. Young School in Chicago. As it was in Charles Taylor's time, the most important issue facing our country is an educated work force. The AAR MRO Group thinks it is imperative that the North American MRO industry as a whole come together in order to inspire women and under-represented minorities to consider the professional development opportunities within the industry. To that end, Sims, Hutchinson, and Dellinger honored Charlie by encouraging the students at E.F. Young School to develop their mechanical talents.

On May 21, Banyan Air Service technicians enjoyed a catered lunch in recognition of AMT Day. Banyan's president, Don Campion, addressed the group and thanked them for their dedication and commitment. Campion recognized a number of technicians for their longevity to Banyan; in avionics, Steve Ouellette (16 years), Gus Gomez (12 years), Paul Krug (nine years) and in maintenance, Les Bowser (20 years), Terry Schuler (14 years), Murray Zacharia (12 years), Anthony Bessellieu (11 years), Gary Johnson (11 years), Curtis Florio (11 years), and Dave Valenta (10 years).

Corporate Sponsor: American Airlines

Ken Durst, vice president line maintenance for American Airlines, accepted an AMTSociety corporate membership award from Ken MacTiernan. American Airlines has been a strong supporter of AMTSociety's Maintenance Skills Competition and AMTSociety. This plaque was accepted on June 8, 2009 at AA's offices at DFW Airport.

State of AMTSociety Address

First and foremost of items this month is remembering Charles E. Taylor's birthday on Sunday, May 24. If your organization is planning on having a program, please let Barb Zuehlke or me know about it. Send us the details and photographs so we can publish them in the next issue and post them on the websites.

The Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC) is one way for us to show the entire world what a great craft we represent; it truly is the epitome of what our profession is all about. I would like to take a moment to inform all of you about the senior management of Continental Airlines. On Tuesday, April 7, Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO; Joe Ferreira, vice president of technical operations; and Jeff Smisek, president and COO, traveled from Houston to Cleveland to honor the Cleveland operational line maintenance team for placing first for the second consecutive year in the AMTSociety MSC.

They took the team to breakfast and spent the day with them. This certainly speaks volumes on the way that senior management feels about the aircraft maintenance technicians employed at Continental Airlines. Ferreira also sent an email to Cleveland Maintenance Operations stating "Three-peat 2010 in LAS." In addition to Continental Airlines, American Airlines had a two-page story in the April 2, 2009, issue of the "DFW People -- The Airport Newspaper" which described in great detail the involvement that American Airlines had in the MSC; it entered three teams and sponsored two jet engines for the tach generator removal/installation; hydraulic pump removal/installation; and engine troubleshooting.

Team Colorado was recognized with a standing ovation on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at the General Aviation Awards program which featured a sit-down dinner and the country and western band Break Even. Travis Valine, director of aeronautics for Colorado, and Chuck Sicotte, manager of the FAASTeam Northwest Mountain Region, made the presentation of medals to each team member. The Denver local FAASTeam managers also made presentations; 78 people attended this event.

As you can see, we are finally getting the message to people of who we are, what we do, and that safety, training, and personal integrity are what our job is all about. Due to the amount of money AMTSociety raised from the annual golf outing and donated to the Northrop-Rice Foundation an additional 10 scholarships were granted to individuals in pursuit of further education in the field of aviation or avionics. This is in addition to the $1,500 Charles E. Taylor and $1,000 William "Bill" O'Brien AMTSociety scholarships. Once again thank you to Haggan Aviation, all the event and hole sponsors, as well as the golfers who participated to achieve this great accomplishment and make this donation possible. It clearly emphasizes one of the goals of AMTSociety.

Stay safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

Board of Directors: Peter Zeeb, Chairman

Peter Zeeb graduated from high school in 1979, and attended college in Watertown, WI, when he realized this was not the plan he really wanted. He talked to several people, including his father's pilot cousin, and decided he wanted to be in aviation. He found Teterboro School of Aeronautics, an A&P school that was only 53 miles from his parents' house. He commuted for two years and graduated in the summer of 1981 with his A&P certificate.

He walked into the FBO at Morristown, NJ, Aeroservices, and found a position with Certified Aircraft Maintenance, a company that did maintenance for the flight school. One of the corporate tenants based at Aeroservices was the McGraw-Edison Publishing Company that was operating a Falcon 20. Zeeb got a part-time job as a cleaner on the Falcon 20. Personnel in the flight department befriended Zeeb and told him he needed to complete his college degree. That sent Zeeb to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) to look into the university's aviation maintenance management degree. He was able to take night courses at a local community college and work for Certified Aircraft Maintenance during the day.

Three weeks prior to graduation at ERAU's Daytona Beach, FL, campus, Zeeb was contacted to maintain a Falcon 10 for Scott Foresman's corporate flight department. Zeeb flew up to Palwaukee Airport to visit/interview with the director of the aviation department. Zeeb got the job and flew back and forth every weekend. Upon graduation, he drove to New Jersey to attend FlightSafety Teterboro for Falcon 10 training. Two years later, Refco Inc. called and he spent two years there.

A former co-worker advised Zeeb about the director of maintenance position at Management Air Service in Wilmington, DE, where he worked for 13 years until the company closed down the flight department. Zeeb then interviewed with Harrah's Entertainment and accepted the job as director of maintenance, a position he has held for the past seven and one-half years. During that time, Harrah's has stayed aggressive as it purchased other companies and their aircraft. In the process, it has been involved with numerous models of aircraft and Zeeb has completed 19 aircraft transactions.

Zeeb has a strong drive for teamwork and with the flight schedule that Harrah's Entertainment utilizes, there is obviously weekend and holiday assignments. Zeeb schedules himself into the rotation just as he does other AMTs. He is also on the Honeywell advisory board and the NBAA Maintenance Committee. Additionally, he finds time to mentor high school students participating in career day programs to promote aircraft maintenance as a career. He is helping to revise AMTSociety student chapter bylaws. He also serves as the co-chairman of the Golf Committee and was responsible for working out the details to play at Rio Secco Golf Club in March 2009.

Zeeb and his wife Peggy have been married for more than 25 years and have two daughters: Laura, 24, and Caitlyn, 20. They reside in Henderson, NV.

State of AMTSociety Address

If you were not in attendance at the Cygnus Aviation Expo held March 10-12, 2009, you missed history in the making. The following stories include the details of all the great events we completed. Starting with the golf tournament on Monday, the Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC) entrants, and judging on Tuesday and Wednesday, we set an all-time record with the MSC team entries. The IA Renewal Roadshow set a new attendance record as well. The vendors in attendance had many new or improved products on display and they did an outstanding job in their presentations. There were numerous drawings and raffles held during the show. The AMTSociety raffle prize was a Honeywell Bendix King AV-80 GPS, which can be used in the car or in the air. It was won by Gary Davis, Boise, ID. I sincerely hope you mark your calendars now for next year's program which will be held March 16-18, 2010, in Las
Vegas.

-- Tom Hendershot

AMTScholarships

2009 AMTScholarship winners Trevor Halvorson, a student at Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, won the 2009 AMTScholarship Charles E. Taylor award for $1,500. Halvorson is from San Antonio.

Jeremy S. Roberts, a student at Redstone College, Broomfield, CO, won the 2009 AMTScholarship William "Bill" O'Brien award for $1,000. Roberts is from Carbon Hill, AL. Roberts won last year's Charles E. Taylor AMTScholarship.

Maintenance Skills Competition

AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition There were 15 teams competing in this year's AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC). With so many teams involved, the event was divided into four categories: military, school, general aviation, and commercial.

Teams and winners:

Military:

• USAF McGuire AFB (1st Place),
• USAF McChord AFB (2nd Place), U.S. Navy
• Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (3rd
• Place), and USAF Dyess AFB

Schools:

• Aviation Institute of Maintenance Atlanta Campus (1st Place),
• Aviation Institute of Maintenance "Team USA" (2nd Place -- this team was comprised of students from other AIM campuses),
• Crimson Technical College (3rd Place)

General Aviation:

• Colorado Aeronautics Division "Team Colorado" (1st Place)

Commercial Airlines:

• Continental Airlines CLE (1st Place)
• Continental Airlines IAH/Hobby (2nd Place)
• American Airlines "Team American" (3rd Place -- team featured AMTs from LGA, JFK, and BOS).

Other teams included:

• American Airlines "Team Tech" representing AA's Technical Services Department in Tulsa, OK)
• American Airlines/Transport Worker's Union Local 565 from the TWU which represents AA AMTs from DFW/DEN, and IAH
• American Airlines/Transport Worker's Union Local 514 from the TWU which represents AA AMTs in Tulsa, OK; and American Eagle.

The first AMTSociety's MSC's "William F. O'Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance" was presented this year at the MSC to the one team with the overall fastest time. This award went to Continental Airlines CLE team. Marie O'Brien was present to help present this award as was Carol Giles from the FAA (manager, Aircraft Maintenance Division).

Sponsors

Each of the 12 events had a company sponsor:

• Charles E. Taylor written test -- the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association (AMTA)
• G IV main wheel removal/installation -- Alberth Aviation
• Hardware identification -- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Regulatory research -- ATP
• Composite damage inspection -- Tarrant County College
• Safety wiring -- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Electrical troubleshooting -- Nida Corp.
• AMTSociety Mx Logs Update
• 34 April 2009 Aircraft Maintenance Technology – www.AMTonline.com – www.AMTSociety.org
• Electrical troubleshooting -- Spirit Aviation
• Avionics troubleshooting -- CAE
• APU combustor chamber inspection -- Dallas
• Airmotive
• Aileron rigging -- Continental Airlines
• Turbine engine troubleshooting -- American Airlines

AMTSociety golf tournament

First: Jason Cordon, Cordon Aviation; Sam Taorama, Cordon Aviation; Clegg Roberts, Cordon Aviation; and Rob Carol, Cordon Aviation.

Second: Geno Haggan, Haggan Aviation; Jeff Graser, Haggan Aviation; Cheryl Janke, Jet Repair Anywhere; and Norm Hill, Western Jet.

Third: Marty Becker, Inet Airport Systems; John Kalmakoff, Inet Airport Systems; Ken Talley, Inet
Airport Systems; and John Salter, Inet Airport Systems.

First place in the putting contest was Ken Talley, Inet Airport Systems; second: Brien Dunn, Mahaffey
Fabric Structures; third: Ed Solley, Golden State Magnetic & Penetrates.

Our thanks to the sponsors: Aero Nasch Aviation, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, American Airlines, AMTSociety, Dallas Airmotive, Dassault Falcon, FlightSafety, Golden State Magnetic & Penetrates, Gulfstream, Haggan Aviation, Harrah's Entertainment, Jet Brella, Rolls-Royce, S.W.A.T. Aviation, Satcom Direct, Socal Services, Standard Aero, Velcon Filters, West Star, and Western Jet.

O'Brien's Master Mechanic award

Carol Giles, FAA manager, Aircraft Maintenance Division, presented Marie O'Brien with an honorary Master Mechanic award for Bill at Cygnus Aviation Expo. Giles said Bill would be upset for having the rules changed for him as he hadn't quite reached 50 years in maintenance at the time of his death. The inscription read: "For Years of Dedicated Service to Aviation Safety, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Honorary Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award posthumously to William F. O'Brien, March 12, 2009, In honor of his many contributions to aviation safety throughout his career and his tireless efforts in the development, promotion and management of the Charles Taylor Award program during his 24 years of service to the FAA."

State of AMTSociety Address

The new year is upon us. I sincerely hope you have completed the 180 question exam from the January/February issue. AMTSociety has been involved with the FAA FAR 147 RAC as an industry representative. The works of the committee have been forwarded to the Excom and FAA Legal for their review. I also represented the AMTSociety at the Aviation Technical Education Committee (ATEC) at the meeting held in Mesa, AZ, and the National Center for Aerospace and Transportation (NCATT) meeting which was conducted at the DWF Airport.

We are continuing the revision work on AMTSociety student chapter and corporate chapter bylaws. And as I previously stated, recommendations will be sent upon completion to the entire board of directors for approval and disseminated accordingly.

We do have a new student chapter: North Central Institute located at 168 Jack Miller Blvd., Clarksville, TN. Dr. John McCurdy was very instrumental in this process.

Our second annual golf outing is progressing well. Awards and many nice prizes await the winners after the banquet. Please get your reservation in as soon as possible and support this very worthy cause of our AMTScholarship program.

The second annual Maintenance Skills Competition is at 20 teams right now. Teams include general aviation, FAA Part 147 aviation schools, airlines, and for the first time ever, the U.S. military. If it is at all possible, please come and watch all of these craftsmen and cheer them on.

Something new this year has been developed in honor of Bill O'Brien. The William F. "Bill" O'Brien Maintenance Skills Competition Award has been developed with assistance and support from AMT and Bill's family. It will be awarded by Marie O'Brien to the Maintenance Skills Competition team that completes all events with the lowest amount of time. This plaque will be ongoing with the winner being added each year.

In closing, I would like to mention all of the vendors who will be waiting for you March 10 to 12, and will welcome your attendance and questions. Next month I will comment on the FAA/industry AMT program and the alliance with the FAASTeam. Stay safe.

-- Tom Hendershot

IA Renewal Roadshow Series

The AMTSociety IA Renewal consortium program had an excellent response from the holders of IAs in Houston on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Thank you to all who participated, and we are looking forward to next year.

AMTSociety Golf Tournament

The Second Annual Scholarship Fundraising Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, March 9, at the prestigious Rio Secco Golf Club. It is one of the top three courses in the Las Vegas area. Haggan Aviation is once again the official sponsor of the tournament. If you would like additional information or to register, visit www.AMTSociety.org. You can also contact Cindy Sewick at Haggan Aviation at (303) 792-0688, Ext. 33 or visit www. hagganaviation.com.

Board of Directors: Robert Drake

Robert Drake is the Director of Education for Crimson Technical College in Inglewood, CA. Crimson, formerly Redstone College, is the leading school for FAA-certified Airframe & Powerplant mechanics in the state of California. Crimson's history dates back to the 1930's "California Flyers" before becoming the legendary Northrop Aeronautical Institute for many decades. In 1999, Northrop-Rice Aviation became Westwood College of Aviation Technology. In March of 2006 ALTA Colleges changed the name of the school to Redstone College to reflect the different programs from its Westwood College offerings. August 2008 brought big changes to the campus. Redstone Los Angeles was sold to Crimson Aero. Corp. with the goal of returning the Inglewood campus to the legendary status it had held for decades.

Drake joined Redstone College in January 2006 and has been actively involved in the Aviation Technician Education Council and AMTSociety. During the past year he served on the Industry Relations Committee for ATEC and brought a school-sponsored team to AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition in Dallas. He serves as secretary for AMTSociety.

Prior to joining Redstone, Drake spent 18 years with Alaska Airlines. Starting as a base maintenance technician, he was Full RII Rated for the MD-80, 737-200, 737-400, and 737-NG. As a lead aircraft mechanic, Drake had Run and Taxi Ratings on all aircraft as well as Airworthiness Release privileges. His last five years were spent as a line maintenance supervisor at the Los Angeles station.

Before joining Alaska Airlines, Robert spent two years as a bench technician for AiResearch. Robert's father, Riley Drake, was a graduate and an instructor at Northrop during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He served on the advisory board for Northrop for many years while employed with Garrett AiResearch as manager of field service training.

Robert's son Jacob is now a student at Crimson and will be a third generation A&P mechanic. Robert has four boys -- Jacob, Nicholas, Matthew, and Riley. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 20 years and live in Lomita, CA.

Corporate Sponsor: Safety-Net Inc.

After working as hazardous materials professionals for 20 years with local and state governments, in 1998 Dennis and Teresa Durham created a small consulting firm to assist industry with regulatory compliance pertaining to OSHA, DOT, EPA, and the FAA. By the year 2000, the North Carolina-based company began to provide services to companies nationwide and soon thereafter built a selective, referral-only client base to include international corporations.

Today Safety-Net Inc. has focused resources toward providing tailored training programs to assist companies with hazardous materials/dangerous goods shipping requirements, as it applies to shipping and receiving, maintenance personnel, ground crews, and flight crews.

Remembering Bill O'Brien Thanks to all of you for the cards, letters, and flowers that were sent to the William "Bill" F. O'Brien family. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to all.

Bill will be very sorely missed and conspicuous in his absence. Director Ken MacTiernan, chairman of the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition, and Tom Hendershot are in the process of working with the O'Brien family to make a perpetual plaque for the competition in O'Brien's honor.

State of AMTSociety

The AMTSociety IA Renewal program is continuing its arduous schedule. If you are in a town on the schedule, please try and get to the program. They are very informative; we have great SME technical speakers. There is a seat waiting for you.

The Chapter bylaws are being reviewed and updated by directors George R. Miller Jr. and Jim Sparks. Upon completion, their recommendations will be sent to the entire board of directors for approval and then disseminated to you.

The second AMTSociety Scholarship Fundraising Golf Tournament will be held March 9 in Las Vegas prior to the Cygnus Aviation Expo. It will be at Rio Secco Golf Club, 2851 Grand Hills Dr., Henderson, NV 89052. Haggan Aviation is once again sponsoring the tournament. For more details contact Cindy Sewick at (303) 792-0688, Ext. 33, or visit www.hagganaviation.com. I would like to take this time and opportunity to wish each of you and your loved ones a very safe and prosperous new year.

Stay safe.
-- Tom Hendershot

Corporate sponsor: Abaris Training Resources

Founded in 1983, Abaris started as a small research and development company specializing in advanced composite materials and processes, mostly serving the aerospace composites industry.

Headed by William "Bill" L. Murphy, a small group of former Lear Fan employees brought their specialized skills, knowledge, and experience of advanced composites to Abaris, offering a variety of capabilities to the booming composites industry.

In the mid-1980s Abaris added a two-week course in advanced composite tooling to complement the fabrication and repair training that had initially been offered. In 1988 Michael J. Hoke joined the Abaris staff and was tasked with overseeing the training side of the business. In 1989 Hoke and Murphy formed a business partnership and the training division was officially created.

Upon Murphy's death in 1991, Hoke became president and sole owner of the business. In 1991 a new training facility was established in Southeast Reno, NV, (the current headquarters) with a devoted classroom, layup room, grinding/trim-room, and a large workshop area. Since the mid-1990s Abaris has more than doubled the size of its Reno facility, and added locations in Griffin, GA (25 miles south of Atlanta), and Cwmbran, Wales.

Abaris offers 16 different courses. Visit www.abaris.com or call (800) 638-8441 for more information.

AMTSociety Director: Joseph C. Hawkins

On Nov. 15, 2008, Joseph C. Hawkins was inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame. Hawkins is the only AMT and the youngest living individual to be so honored.

A federally certificated A&P technician with an Inspection Authorization (IA), Hawkins was baptized early into aviation as the grandson of a World War II Navy pilot. He is a U.S. Army veteran and served as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter flight engineer with the 101st Airborne Div. His awards include Army Air Crewman Wings, Good Conduct, and Army Commendation Medals.

He began his civilian aviation career with Stevens Aviation in South Carolina where he was responsible for the inspection and repair of general aviation/corporate class fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. In 1991 Hawkins became the chief aviation maintenance technician for the State of Tennessee, Department of Transportation. Based in Nashville, he was responsible for the airworthiness and safety of a mixed fleet of piston and turbine powered aircraft.

Hawkins earned his Bachelor of Science in aviation maintenance management (1999) and Master of aerospace education (2003) degrees from Middle Tennessee State University.

In 2003 Hawkins received the NBAA's Aviation Maintenance Technician Safety Award. In 2005 he was chosen as Tennessee's AMT of the Year, followed by selection as the FAA's Southeast Region AMT of the Year. In 2006 he became the first Tennessean to earn the National AMT of the Year Award. Currently he is a professor of aerospace at Middle Tennessee State University.

AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition

As of December there are 20 teams that have committed to the second annual AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC) that will be held during Cygnus Aviation Expo, March 10-12, in Las Vegas.

Director Ken MacTiernan, chairman of the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC), spoke at Air Mobility Command (USAF) headquarters at Scott AFB on Dec. 4, 2008. He spoke to aircraft maintenance commanders about the MSC and AMTSociety's Scholarship Awards. There is strong interest in the USAF entering the competition. MacTiernan explained the structure, design, and process of the MSC as well as the orientation meeting held on March 9, 2009, that allows all competing AMTs to meet face to face with the judges for the events as well as physically view the competition area.

"One question that was asked that stood out was when I was asked how many teams can the USAF enter." MacTiernan says. "The USAF understands the concept of the MSC and is looking forward to coming to Las Vegas. I would like to thank Lt. Col. Thomas Kauth, Lt. Col. George Mitchell, Col. Robert Miglionico, and the USAF for the opportunity to talk about the MSC and their hospitality."

Ken MacTiernan, chairman of the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition (MSC), spoke to aircraft maintenance commanders at Air Mobility Command (USAF) headquarters at Scott AFB about the MSC and AMTSociety's Scholarship Awards.

State of AMTSociety Address

Starting with the next issue of AMT magazine I will be including the activities and updates for AMTSociety. Currently, the board of directors is working on the bylaws for student charters, Cygnus Aviation Expo Maintenance Skills Competition, and improving membership services. Additionally I will focus on one member of the board in order for you, the reader/member, to become more familiar with each of us who work for and represent you.

The main ingredient is keeping you, the member, up to date on our benefits and also the issues we have or will address in the coming weeks. Thank you for your support. Bill O'Brien passed away as this issue was going to press. Without a doubt this is a severe blow to the aviation industry, there are too many items to try and recall or highlight at this moment for all the good/great things Bill did in his lifetime for everyone in the industry. He will always be remembered for two major items: The Charles E. Taylor Program and the FAA AMT Awards Program.

We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him. AMTSociety is especially fortunate to have one of our scholarships named after him.

To send his family condolences, mail cards to 12508 Lt. Nichols Road, Fairfax, VA 22033-2412.
-- Tom Hendershot

Northrop Rice Foundation

Jim Lukins, president: "On behalf of the board of directors of the Northrop Rice Foundation I want to welcome you to the Board. During our last meeting your placement on the board was voted on and you received an 100 percent approval. "I am looking forward to working with you and AMTSociety in the future. Our organizations' goals and objectives are in concert and together we can have a significant influence on the aviation industry. While many members of the board already know you, I look forward to meeting you in person. "Again, thank you for your interest in the Foundation."

AMTSociety Golf Tournament

The second annual AMTSociety Scholarship Fundraising Golf Tournament, tied in with Cygnus Aviation Expo, will be held Monday, March 9, 2009, at Rio Secco Golf Club, 2851 Grand Hills Dr., Henderson, NV 89052. It will be a shotgun start at noon. Haggan Aviation is once again sponsoring the tournament with AMTSociety. Watch for details. Or contact Cindy Sewick at (303) 792-0688, Ext. 33 or visit www.hagganaviation.com.

Corporate sponsor: FAA First Federal Credit Union

FAA First Federal Credit Union, a member owned financial institution that has been serving the air transportation industry for nearly 60 years, recently joined AMTSociety as a corporate sponsor.

FAA First serves more than 25,000 air transportation industry employees and their families nationwide. It offers its members financial solutions tailored to their needs. A popular service is the totally free checking, which has no minimum balance requirements or monthly maintenance fees. FAA First also offers free online banking that provides 24/7 account access for members who are constantly on the go. Online bill payment, e-bills, and eStatements allow members to manage their money at their convenience.

FAA First is also part of a nationwide network of 5,300 shared branch locations, which allows members to conduct transactions within proximity to their homes or workplace. Members have surcharge-free access to more than 25,000 Co-Op Network ATMs throughout the nation.

FAA First Federal Credit Union will be at the AMTSociety IA Renewal Roadshow in Seattle, WA, on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008. To learn more about the Credit Union and its products and services, please visit its booth or log on to www.faafirst.org.

Corporate sponsor: FlightSafety International

Effective Jan. 1, 2009, FlightSafety will present every new Master Technician with a complimentary one-year membership in AMTSociety. In cases where a technician receives multiple Master Technician awards on more than one aircraft model, FlightSafety will provide a one-year membership for each award. This could result in a technician receiving more than one one-year membership through this program. "AMTSociety provides technicians with a voice in the maintenance industry and offers benefits that are not available through other organizations. On behalf of everyone at FlightSafety, we're very proud and honored to support your efforts in growing the membership in AMTSociety," says Doug Bowen, FlightSafety International director worldwide sales and maintenance training services.

Corporate sponsor: Global Jet Services

Global Jet Services Inc., located in Weatogue, CT, offers technical maintenance and maintenance management training classes. The focus is on improving practical knowledge and safety for maintenance operations.

Aircraft training includes Bombardier Challenger, Learjet, and Global Express; CASA; Cessna; Dassault Falcon; Eclipse; Embraer; Gulfstream; and Hawker Beechcraft aircraft. Other classes include avionics, safety programs including human factors, safety management systems, OSHA/EPA, Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), and maintenance resource management. Classes can be scheduled according to your needs and schedule, on-site or online. Instructors have years of experience in the industry.

Global Jet Services developed AIMM for Aviation Business Success as an NBAA PDP approved five-day course for A&Ps that need management training. FlightSafety International has developed programs to utilize Global Jet's courses for its Master Mechanic and Event Base Agreement (EBA) training programs. For more information visit www.globaljetservices.com.

Northrop Rice Foundation

Tom Hendershot, executive director of AMTSociety, was recently unanimously elected to the board of the Northrop Rice Foundation. The Northrop Rice Foundation, a 501(C3) nonprofit organization, was established in 1994. The mission of the Foundation is to promote the advancement of the aviation technician and to help the young people in or entering the aviation industry. The Foundation administers numerous scholarships and awards programs that provide assistance and awards to aviation maintenance training schools, instructors, and students. Among programs that the foundation administers is AMTSociety's scholarship program which includes the $1,000 William F. O'Brien Scholarship and the $1,500 Charles E. Taylor Scholarship. The assistance is in the form of aviation tools and books for students; upgraded training scholarships and financial assistance for instructors; and the acquisition of training equipment for the schools. Scholarship programs also provide assistance for recently discharged veterans from the aviation branches of the U.S. Armed Forces who are preparing to take the FAA examinations for certification as Airframe and Powerplant technicians.

The Foundation also administers programs that help schools acquire donated materials and equipment, aircraft parts, and airplanes. The Foundation is a staunch supporter of the schools of the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC). It has also received much support from the members of the aviation industry that have provided training opportunities for instructors so that they can better teach the students who are preparing for certification by the FAA. Also, the Foundation sponsors the James Reardon Student of the Year Award that is presented to one student each year selected from those nominated by the schools of ATEC. The student is honored at the ATEC annual conference for outstanding academic achievements and participation in community projects. For additional information about the Foundation go to www.northropricefoundation.org.

Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Executive Committee (ARAC)

FAA ARAC Part 147 Working Group Chair, Dr. Raymond Thompson, along with members of the Working Group, recently briefed Jim Ballough at FAA Headquarters on the work in progress and recommendations being considered. Joining Dr. Thompson was Working Group Co-Chair, Ferrin Moore, as well as group members Ed Hall (FAA), Andrew Smith (Kansas State University), Tom Hendershot (AMTSociety), and Monalisa Tindall (FAA). The Working Group is required to submit their recommendations by Dec. 31, 2008.

HR 444: National AMT Day

Haggan Aviation has a strong reputation for having a highly skilled and qualified work force. A work force that strives to raise the standards of professionalism for our craft that Charles E. Taylor, our country's first aircraft mechanic, created more than 100 years ago. It is fitting that besides leading the industry in quality aircraft maintenance Haggan Aviation also remembers where our industry came from and those who came before us. This is evident in the many awards, photos, and memorabilia that the Haggan Aviation maintenance facility has in Centennial Airport in Englewood, CO. It is fitting that Eugene (Geno) Haggan is being presented with a copy of H.R. #444 which is the Congressional National AMT Day Resolution. This important resolution recognizes May 24 of each year as AMT Day in honor of Charles E. Taylor's birthday. It is even more fitting that Haggan Aviation is being presented this resolution by Tom Hendershot, executive director for the AMTSociety, who himself is a recipient of the FAA's Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

General Aviation Awards

The 2008 General Aviation Awards were presented at the EAA AirVenture. The GA Awards program is a cooperative effort between the FAA and industry sponsors. The selection process begins with local FAASTeam managers at Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) and then moves on to the eight regional FAA offices. AMTSociety is a sponsor of the awards and Tom Hendershot, executive director, presented monogrammed jackets to the winners.

The FAASTeam Representative of the Year is John Teipen from University City, MO; Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) of the Year is Mike Busch, Arroyo Grande, CA; Avionics Technician of the Year is Tim Adkison of Benton, KY; and Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year is Max Trescott of Mountain View, CA.

Honoring GA Awards recipients

For the first time in its 45-year history, the General Aviation Awards Program has a place to call home and a place where the names of the annual recipients of the national awards can be publically recognized and honored. A display honoring the recipients of the national Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year, the Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year, the Avionics Technician of the Year, and the FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year (previously the Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year) was mounted in the EAA AirVenture Museum Hall of Fame during AirVenture Oshkosh 2008.
Diamond Award winner

Eugene (Geno) Haggan is pictured receiving the prestigious FAA Diamond of Excellence Award for the third consecutive year. "It is indeed an honor to make this presentation for the third year," states Tom Hendershot, chairman of the FAA/Industry AMT Program. "Haggan does an outstanding job in promoting safety, maintenance human factors, and self-improvement. Because of the corporate culture and the "can-do attitude" of every one at Haggan Aviation there will be many more awards in the future."

AMTSociety Board

AMTSociety would like to welcome Bob Drake and Jim Sparks to the board of directors. Bob Drake is director of education at Redstone College, Los Angeles, an industry-leading school for FAA certified A&P mechanics. Redstone College is part of the ALTA College system which includes Redstone College, Denver, and Westwood College. He previously worked at Alaska Airlines as mechanic, lead mechanic, and maintenance supervisor. Jim Sparks is a licensed A&P who has spent most of his maintenance career associated with business aircraft. He is a current member of the FAA Safety Team and the NBAA Maintenance Committee, and a regular contributor to Aircraft Maintenance Technology.

FAA/AMT Industry Committee: Jennifer C. Baker, secretary, president of Baker's School of Aeronautics; Tom Hendershot, chairman, executive director, AMTSociety; Hasnain Ansari, vice president of aircraft maintenance, Swissport; and Phil Randall, Deputy National FAASTeam manager. Not pictured Gary Goodpaster and Fred Mirgle.

Jim and Sean Carter have added a copy of the House of Representatives House Resolution No. 444 National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day in their restaurant, Perfect Landing.

Dallas/Fort Worth American Airlines mechanics show respect to one of their own who was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards Program

The FAA/Industry AMT Committee convened in Nashville, TN, July 8 to 10 for the purpose of rewriting Advisory Circular 65-25D for the program.

Committee members are Tom Hendershot, chairman; Jennifer C. Baker, secretary, president of Baker's School of Aeronautics, Nashville, TN; Hasnain Ansari, vice president of aircraft maintenance for Swissport Aircraft Maintenance, Los Angeles, CA; Gary Goodpaster, chief of maintenance, Kroger Company, Cincinnati, OH; Fred Mirgle, chairman, Charles E. Taylor Department of Aviation Maintenance Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL; and Phil Randall, Deputy National FAASTeam manager.

After two and one-half days of review, discussion, analysis, and proofreading, the revised draft was sent to Washington, D.C., to AFS-300. The beta test will start on Oct. 1, 2008. The date for implementing the new items is Jan. 1, 2009.

Perhaps the biggest change is that each aviation maintenance technician will need to go into the program electronically and must be registered on the FAASafety.gov website. There are many more enhancements, and they will be available from the FAASafety.gov information.

All training completed during the period of time from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 will be eligible for an individual award for that year.

Training will focus on aviation maintenance accident/incident causal factors, special emphasis items, and regulatory issues deemed necessary by AFS-300.

Perfect Landing Continues Industry Support

Jim and Sean Carter, owners of the Perfect Landing Restaurant located at Centennial Airport in Englewood, CO, are shown hanging a copy of the House of Representatives House Resolution Number 444 "National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day" in their award-winning restaurant.

Jim and Sean have been catering to aviation and business professionals since 1992. The Perfect Landing has placed in the top four of the Professional Pilot Catering Survey for the past 17 years. The restaurant also is home to numerous trophies representing local pilots who have been involved in the Reno Air Races.

Continuing its commitment and support of the aviation industry and the community, July 16 to Sept. 10, 2008, the Perfect Landing will serve a complimentary breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a paid flight reservation in the only B-25H Barbie III flying today. It is operated by Warbird Unlimited Foundation Inc. Educational Foundation, Mesa, AZ.

The B-25H named "Barbie III" will be based at Denver Jet Center at Centennial Airport in Denver. The famous medium bomber is fully restored to 1943 standards, and will be available for free viewing on the ground on Saturdays and Sundays through the second week of September.

It is available for 30-minute flights around Denver. Flights are a $375 donation per person, per flight; with room for up to six people each flight. The donation goes into defraying the operating expenses and helps pay for maintenance and upkeep.

The B-25 Mitchell is best known for its role in the famous Doolittle raid on Japan in 1942, where 16 B-25s flew from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet to make the first attack on Japan following the Pearl Harbor attack. Throughout WWII, the B-25 played a major role as a medium bomber and ground attack aircraft in both the Pacific and European Theater of operations.

More than 9,800 B-25s were built from 1940 to 1945, but only around 30 remain in flying condition. Out of those remaining, this B-25, the "Barbie III", is the last flying H-model of the B-25-.

Maintenance brotherhood

In late July an aircraft maintenance technician at American Airlines in Dallas/Fort Worth died in a motorcycle crash. Steve Stevens was loved by all and I am told he was "one of the good guys" meaning that he was truly liked by everyone he met. He was also a good mechanic.

His remains were flown back to Columbus, OH. Steve was not married and he did not have any children. The aircraft left out of gate C8 and it was surrounded by a couple hundred AMTs, management, and secretaries. After the casket was loaded onto the aircraft by his friends, fellow mechanics then split up and formed two lines, and "walked" the aircraft off the gate.

As the engines started the two lines of AMTs stretched out to form a corridor all the way to the taxiway. The aircraft taxied away. As it did, the Captain opened his window and waved to everyone. By now all the passengers were all waving out the windows. As the aircraft reached the beginning of the taxiway there were two fire trucks waiting and they gave a water-cannon salute.

This was all done because Steve belonged to a proud craft and profession where regardless of the uniform you wear we are all the same: craftsmen.

-- Ken MacTiernan