JetBlog! Interactive

House supports "Goals and Ideals" of National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day - Now it's on to the Senate

The House of Representatives voted April 30, 2008, in support of the goals and ideals of National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, which we celebrate each May 24 on the anniversary of Charles Edward Taylor's birth in 1868. The resolution was introduced in the House by Representive Bob Filner (D-CA) and it was Mr. Filner that rose in the chamber to ask for approval by the full House. Mr. Filner's remarks were thoughtful and supportive and in genuine praise of the contributions Charles E. Taylor made to enable the Wright brothers' first powered controlled flight on December 17, 1903.

Also rising in support of HR 444 was Representative Sam Graves (R-MO). Mr. Graves was very passionate about his support for recognizing Charles Taylor and the work of all aviation maintenance professionals. At one point he waxed nostalgic about having seen and heard a replica of Charlie Taylor's third engine run at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. He seemed carried away by the connection to our proud past.

After both men spoke for several minutes there were no speeches in opposition. Then a voice vote of those in attendance was conducted. Only "yea's" were heard in support. There were no "No's."

Many members of the aviation maintenance community, including many PAMA memebrs, participated to ensure passage of this resolution. Many called their representatives in Congress and it is because of their efforts that we have gotten this resolution through the House.

Now, we will take this resolution to the Senate for their support and then to the President for his signature. We have already begun to have this resolution introduced in the U.S. Senate and we now want to encourage each of you to nenew your support for this continuing effort by contacting your Senators and urging their support. To find your Senator, visit the Senate website and please email and call them both. Urge them to support the Goals and Ideals of National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day.

Watch this space for more info on our progress.

ICG Donates $2,000 To Fund PAMA Foundation Scholarship

Award May Be Used For Supplies, Tuition For A&P Students

Global voice and data communications developer ICG announced at AEA 2008 last week it will donate $2,000 to the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) Foundation, to fund its annual Brian Bennett Scholarship. The contribution was presented by ICG Vice President of Product Sales Jeff Saucedo to PAMA Board Chairman Clark Gordon and new PAMA President John Casker during a ceremony at ICG's exhibit.

"ICG is pleased to offer a tangible example of our strong support for PAMA and its educational and certification programs," Saucedo said. "This check, which has been designated for this year's Brian Bennett Scholarship, actually represents the generosity and creativity of our Marketing Department and the respondents who took part in a product and services survey they conducted earlier this year. ICG's
surveyors agreed to donate $50 to the fund for each person who participated in the telephone survey. We thank them--and the people who took the time to answer their questions for making this
donation possible."

EASA Part 66 Guidance

EASA publishes a list of specific aircraft types in the appendix to their mechanics’ certification rule. Under that rule (EASA Part 66), mechanics must be type-rated to work on any type of aircraft that is listed in the appendix to the rule.

EASA has proposed to add a number of new aircraft to the type rating list, and has also chosen to group together certain similar aircraft (so that the type rating for those similar aircraft will cover both). Certain other aircraft have been removed from the list of type ratings and redefined as annex II aircraft. These types are not subject to EASA regulation, although they are subject to regulation by national aviation authorities within Europe (for example, in the United Kingdom, Annex II aircraft may be maintained under a BCAR section L license).

The proposed rule is identified as NPA 2007-18. Comments may be sent by email to [email protected]. The comment period remains open until January 18, 2008.

New Program, Appointments Position PAMA for Successful Future

WARRENDALE, Pa. (Dec. 13, 2007) – In order to assure that both members and industry are well-served by the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA), two new appointments will begin the New Year.

Effective January 1, 2008, the PAMA Board of Directors approved the naming of John Casker as the new President of PAMA. Casker has more than 30 years of association management experience, most recently with SAE International where he managed membership and chapters on national and international levels, affiliate society formation, and exhibit and sponsorship development.

“The PAMA Board’s decision to invest in the future of the Association is exciting to me. I am confident that by placing emphasis on service to our individual members and their companies, in terms of technical programming, member benefits, and the new Certification Program, the Board is positioning PAMA for long-term success. I am excited about our future, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to bring my association management experience to PAMA,” Casker said.

Also, Brian Finnegan has been named the new Director of SAE’s Professional Certification Division. In his role, Finnegan will champion advanced standards and credentials for aviation maintenance and production professionals. Finnegan had served as PAMA’s president for eight years before being named director of the certification program, which will be a stand-alone entity headquartered in Washington, D.C., under the SAE Institute.