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PAMA/SAE Institute Calls for Subject Matter Experts: Composites, Rotorcraft, Avionics

Everything is looking up in the world of PAMA/SAE Certifications these days. Our first certification, the AMS/AME, has over 125 Honored Colleagues in its ranks and we have been working very hard to establish a significant customer that will tip the scales for a number of organizations evaluating our program. Look for a major announcement within the next month or so. Please visit us online for information on the PAMA/SAE Institute Aviation Maintenance and Production Certification Program.

In the meantime, we have been consumed with filling out our portfolio of certifications in concert with the Professional Certification plan we laid out some two years ago. We have completed the program design for a three-tier Composite/Bonded Structures Technician program in concert with the members of the SAE Commercial Aircraft Composite Repair Committee (CACRC). Sometime this fall we hope to begin formalizing that program with a Job Task Analysis and Test Blueprints. To execute those projects, we need Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to volunteer their time.

If you are interested in participating as a Composites SME, please send your resume to Laura Blanchard, our Certification Coordinator . We'll be distributing more info on this opportunity shortly.

Also, we just announced last Friday the formation of a joint Military/Industry Master Rotorcraft Technician Stakeholders gathering during the last week of October. At this senior stakeholders meeting we will be determing the depth and breadth of the industry's desire for such credentialing - or if it even exists on a broad scale. Our sense is that it does as the Army wants raise the bar for its civil servants and to provide its rotorcraft technicians with transportable credentials when they separate from the service - something most other separating servicemembers have when they enter the civilian workforce. Industry has indicated a passion for growing their rotorcraft technican workforce and we believe our blueprint for a series of increasingly skilled certifications is the ticket to a long term plan. Even though we are not as far along as we are with Composites, we are starting to solicit Rotorcraft SME's also.

If you are interested in participating as a Rotorcraft SME, please send your resume to Laura Blanchard, our Certification Coordinator. We'll also be distributing more info on this opportunity shortly, too.

FAA Approaches ICAO SMS Compliance with SASO

System Approach for Safety Oversight (SASO) on the Web and in the News
Notice Number: NOTC1280

Over the next four years, the SASO program is leading preparations to implement a Safety Assusrance System (SAS) that will constitute one step in our process toward meeting ICAO's SMS mandates. To share current, comprehensive information about the status of the SASO program, the FAA's SASO Program Office has launched a new, enhanced Web site. The Web site will be updated quarterly and can be accessed here.

Additionally, the SASO Program Office has just released the June edition of its quarterly newsletter. Located on the SASO Web site (under SASO News), the newsletter provides timely updates on important issues related to system safety. We encourage you to visit the site and review the newsletter regularly for the most up-to-date program news and information.

For more information, please review the website above or contact the FAA.

Aerospace Industry Urges Congressional Support for Science, Math Education Initiatives

Arlington, Va. - AIA co-signed several letters sent this week urging congressional leaders to strengthen math and science education by fully funding federal scientific research and education initiatives like the Education Department's Math and Science Partnerships program.

Sent by the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Coalition to President Bush as well as to House and Senate leaders, the letters ask for continued financial support for these educational initiatives. The coalition is a group of diverse organizations representing all sectors of the technological workforce.

"Federal funding for math and science programs is a vital part of our nation's commitment to education," AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said. "With a growing percentage of aerospace workers eligible to retire, AIA is committed to working with Congress and our partners to fill the workforce pipeline with talent for all critical U.S. industries."

US-EC Bilateral Still Faltering

The United States and Europe continue to work on a bilateral aviation safety agreement, but while they continue to make progress, final agreement continues to elude them.

Under the terms of the existing bilaterals between the United States and several of the European nations, the United States accepts most aircraft parts manufactured under the production approval of our bilateral partners. The European Community (EC) has interpreted those agreements such that generally all EC members countries will accept products manufactured under US production approval (so long as they meet the detailed requirements of at least one of the bilaterals).

In order to meet the requirements of European law, there is a need to replace the existing country-by-country bilateral situation with a single US-EC bilateral. Such a bilateral was thought to be ready to be signed last year, but a unilateral EASA decision to impose user fees was blamed for the delay in signing the Agreement – the user fees were deemed to be unfair to US companies seeking European validation of U.S. design approvals. Since then, it appears that other topics have kept the two airworthiness authorities from coming to another ‘final’ agreement.

The existing bilateral agreements also form the basis of the FAA-EASA program under which FAA employees perform inspections of EASA-145 repair stations located in the United States, which allows EASA to manage many more ASA-145 repair station in the US than it would otherwise be able to manage under existing staffing levels.

PAMA/SAE Institute Certification Program Launching February 18

WARRENDALE, Pa. (Feb. 13, 2008) – Aircraft maintenance technicians now have the opportunity to certify their skills through the PAMA/SAE Institute Aviation Maintenance and Production Certification Program.

Developed in adherence with industry consensus standards, the program initially offers two designations:
- Non-certificated individuals can earn the Aviation Maintenance Specialist (AMS) certification

- FAA-certificated Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics can earn the Aviation Maintenance Engineer (AME) certification

“This program is really the first of its kind,” Brian Finnegan, SAE Institute Director of Professional Certification, said. “It establishes a broad system of technical career paths, it quantifies knowledge at many different skill levels, and it enables technicians to verify and document their skills.”

The certification exam will launch on Feb. 18, and will available throughout the year in test centers all over the world. Organizations looking to certify their employees in groups can arrange for the exam to be administered right in their own facilities.

PAMA/SAE Institute certification enjoys the support of AIG Aviation Insurance company.

The SAE Institute and PAMA are affiliate organizations of SAE International.

For more information on the PAMA/SAE Institute Aviation Maintenance and Production Program, visit the PAMA website

Maintenance/Management Blamed by NTSB in R-44 Fatal Accident

The National Transportation Safety Board released the Probable Cause of this 2-fatal injury Robinson R-44 accident yesterday. The report highlights major lapses in maintenance oversight, failure to follow procedures, distraction, and other transgressions long identified as impediments to good maintenance.
In fact, this accident is a veritable poster child for the FAA's "Dirty Dozen" most common maintenance-related causes of errors listed in FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-72. Your comments on this accident are welcome and solicited, as are your perceptions on whether this kind of accident is highly unusual or representative of how things really are out there on the hangar floor.

NTSB Identification: DEN07FA079.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 27, 2007 in Ponte Vedra Bch, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 1/31/2008
Aircraft: Robinson R44 II, registration: N744SH
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

The local instructional flight was scheduled for a east departure from the airport and a flight south along the coastline. Several witnesses observed the helicopter approximately 200-500 feet above ground level (agl) in cruise flight along the coastline on a south heading. One witness, a former pilot and mechanic, reported he observed the helicopter in straight and level flight, then heard a change in "rotor noise, followed by a bang/pop/twang sound." The helicopter then "snap-rolled" to the left and descended into the terrain in a nose low attitude.

Examination of the helicopter's flight control system revealed that the right forward servo to swashplate push-pull tube joint was disconnected and the attach hardware (bolt, lock nut, two washers, pal nut) was missing. The left forward servo to swashplate push-pull joint was connected; however, the nut was found partially engaged on the bolt threads, and the torque was "finger tight"; no pal nut was noted. Material analysis of the components revealed that only one of the two nuts for the left and right connections were installed, and then only finger tight. The nut on right servo connection rotated off during flight which allowed the bolt to extract itself and disconnect the servo from the push-pull tube.

Airlines lower bar to fill pilot ranks

A world-wide shortage of pilots is putting less-experienced fliers at the controls of passenger jets and even forcing some airlines to cancel flights for a lack of crews.

In the U.S., the pilot squeeze is being felt mostly at regional airlines -- carriers that feed passengers to bigger airlines using planes with fewer than 100 seats. Most regional airlines have lowered their experience-level requirements for new hires, and some have struggled to find pilots with enough hours in their logbooks to serve as captains. Pilots still have to pass tests at each airline and meet proficiency standards, but some aviation experts are concerned that that less-experienced pilots may not perform as well in emergencies or may be more prone to mistakes.

The Need for Safety Management Systems

Dec 03, 2007 (Air Safety Week/Access Intelligence via COMTEX) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Air Transport Association (ATA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) held its 4th Annual International Aviation Safety Forum outside Washington, DC, Nov. 28-30, at which participants from around the world pledged to implement Safety Management Systems, a systematic approach to managing risks associated with commercial aviation.

Acting Federal Aviation Administrator Robert A. Sturgell said: "the question for us in aviation is how to maintain the safety record that's the envy of all transportation. How are we going to raise the bar? The answer is SMS -- safety management systems.

Bombardier Safety Standdown introduces Maintenance…asks for PAMA Participation

This week I represented PAMA members at Bombardier's annual Safety Standdown in Wichita. For nine years, Bombardier has gathered flight crews to focus on safety. Historically an all-pilot event, this year our Bombardier, together with NBAA, FAA, and NTSB, added a day-long session dedicated to mechanics with eight hours focused on Human Factors for Maintenance Managers. To get the temperature of the demand for a maintenance focus – and to see if it should be expanded in the future - they capped Mechanic attendance at 40.

The day was quite interesting and powerful as FAA Director of Flight Standards Jim Ballough (the first A&P to hold that lofty rank) attended – and stayed to interact with us for the entire day. That is a strong message that FAA takes these kinds of training efforts very seriously.

It was great getting together with Jim, a room full of DoMs and quite a few other high-ranking FAA leaders, especially to focus on Human Factors. The founder and spiritual leader of Safety Standdown is Bob Agostino, the Director of Operations fo Bombardier's flight department. Chief Pilot Dave Ryan is the boots on the ground organizer for whom no detail is too small to escape his notice - and tweak. Now, with a new added focus on maintenance, they have approached us at PAMA to help design and implement a new program. We are looking forward to helping with that effort.

Help us out…Share your ideas here

To shine the bright light of a national discussion on important aviation maintenance issues, we need the practitioners and leaders of our aviation maintenance community to weigh in and tell us which topics and events mean the most to you…whether it be technology trends, advanced training and certification, professional development, interpersonal connection, career advancement opportunities, or other types of content. Please comment here and share which kinds of programming and events would move you to attend and participate with us in Wichita, either at the Standdown or in other PAMA meetings and conferences.

Thank You!

Brian Finnegan, A&P

President, PAMA

Aviation Maintenance…Go where you want to go!