Do any of these phrases sound familiar? (Note: Names have been changed to protect the innocent.)
• “Pilot Paul keeps walking behind me, watching everything I do, like he doesn’t trust me or thinks I am not working fast enough.”
• “Today scheduler Sally has asked me numerous times when the airplane will be ready. Doesn’t she know that I know this is a quick turn-around and that I am working as quickly and as safely as I can?”
D.O.M. News
10/01/2013 - 12:00
Directors of maintenance in a corporate aviation setting face unique issues when it comes to determining what maintenance or alteration activity should be accomplished by contract. Most operators of business aircraft “fleets” hire individuals who hold mechanic certificates with airframe and powerplant ratings and inspection authorization; they also hold a repair station certificate with limited ratings. This arrangement provides the most options for performing the maintenance needed to ensure the highest aircraft utilization.
10/01/2013 - 12:00
Why is “aircraft maintenance” a dirty phrase in an organization? Why does quality get such a bad rap? If you can consciously admit that those two questions are truthful, then it should come as no surprise that “quality aircraft maintenance” is an obscure and alien term.
10/01/2013 - 12:00
Nearly five weeks ago, I decided it was time to replace my kitchen cabinets. I went shopping for some units that I could purchase and install myself, but after a day of shopping, I wasn’t pleased with the quality of the cabinets I could get for the money I was willing to spend. I decided to build them myself.
My plan was to spend the a long weekend constructing the cabinets and to have them ready to install early the following week.
10/01/2013 - 12:00
A preview of the meetings and events that will be taking place at the largest business aviation event of the year.
Please click here to access the schedule for NBAA2013 Meetings and Events preview.
10/01/2013 - 12:00
Compliance with regulations is much more than risk management. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of working in a regulated industry, the framework of FAA regulations, the importance of knowing how you are in compliance with the rules, the impact that knowledge can have on your business, and techniques for maintaining a mutually-respectful working relationship with the FAA.
10/01/2013 - 12:00
In my previous article, we discussed whether aerospace-focused startups can help revive the economy, and identified potential niches that are growing. The answer seems to be a resounding ‘yes’. New technology companies that address various niches with aerospace/aviation/travel have been identified in Table One. This list is certainly not exhaustive (it was kept to only 50 companies for the sake of brevity), and we undoubtedly missed some deserving firms that should have been included. (We offer our apologies).
10/01/2013 - 12:00
There are several ways I choose people to profile in our magazine. Sometimes I get a lead from one of our advertisers who deals with a lot of directors of maintenance. Sometimes I meet at maintenance manager at a trade show or event and realize they would make a good cover story. Sometimes I get a recommendation from a co-worker or employee.
One such recommendation came from a D.O.M. reader last year. Here is part of the e-mail he sent:
Hello, Joe!
10/01/2013 - 12:00
If your father is an aircraft mechanic, chances are high that you could end up working as an aircraft mechanic. Such is the case with Steve King, director of maintenance for Cox Enterprises. This month, D.O.M. magazine sat down with King to learn about his career journey to where he is today, some of the lessons he has learned along the way and some of the things he does to give back to the industry.
09/30/2013 - 08:17
Master Lock® Company, LLC will focus attention on Lockout/Tagout when the National Safety Congress & Expo convenes in Chicago, September 30 - October 2 at McCormick Place. The new and unique S3920 Butterfly Valve Lockout headlines a strong roster of safety product solutions Master Lock will feature at the event. Safety identification tags, compliance software and a drawing each day to win one of three valuable lockout tool boxes, also provide motivation to visit booth 624.
09/30/2013 - 08:13
Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. company, is celebrating the successful completion of the wing mate on the Citation Latitude first test article. This achievement is another program milestone for the Latitude as it approaches its first prototype flight expected in the first quarter of 2014. The Latitude was announced at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA) in October 2011.
09/30/2013 - 08:09
Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Co., Ltd., (Boeing Shanghai) announces it has been awarded its first 777 heavy maintenance contract through an agreement with Russia-based Orenair. Boeing Shanghai will perform a C-check on one of Orenair’s 777-200ERs in October 2013.
09/30/2013 - 07:56
Constant Aviation, LLC announces is has completed the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Wi-Fi system along with Aircell’s® Gogo Biz™ In-flight Internet system in a Boeing 737-200.
09/01/2013 - 12:00
Welcome to our fourth annual Products and Services Round Up. We take a break from our regular management-focused colums in this issue to highlight some of the products and services out there for aircraft maintenance teams. We have included a variety of products and services listings from many different companies which have been segmented by category. If you would like more information about a product or service you see in this issue, we encourage you to contact the company directly.
09/01/2013 - 12:00
I wouldn’t usually think to quote actor Ashton Kutcher, who played a half-witted teenager on “That 70’s Show.” Recently, Kutcher appeared on a television show to promote his new movie “Jobs,” in which he plays Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computer.
08/28/2013 - 11:31
Professional Aircraft Accessories, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, announces the addition of two new team members.
08/28/2013 - 11:18
In 2013 the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) reached a major milestone by awarding over $120,000.00 in industry-leading scholarships. Winning a scholarship gives you that once in a lifetime opportunity to shake hands with recruiters and hiring managers of some of the most sought after jobs in aviation. AWAM Scholarships provide an excellent opportunity to learn new methods, develop additional skills, get funds to upgrade the all-important tool box and embrace the exciting opportunities the field of aviation maintenance offers!
08/28/2013 - 10:44
JSfirm.com manager Jeff Richards announces JSfirm.com's integration with LinkedIn. “We have integrated LinkedIn with the job application process allowing job seekers to easily import their profiles. LinkedIn is a recruiting playground and JSfirm.com has taken full advantage of this, ” Richards says.
08/28/2013 - 09:21
LORD Corporation announces that it received Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the Richard L. McNeel Business Center, a 50,000-square-foot building honoring the company’s former president and CEO, Rick McNeel. The U.S. Green Building Council approves projects for LEED certification through a rating system that offers points to projects that contain various sustainability features.
07/30/2013 - 10:26
Engine Components International (ECi) of San Antonio, TX, one of the oldest and largest manufacturers of piston aircraft engine parts for Lycoming and Continental, announces a complete new engine, the 180 hp TITAN 340 Stroker. The engine has the size and weight of a 320 with the power of a 360.
The 340 STC engine is a direct replacement for the 150, 10 or 180 hp Lycoming. The engine has flown for several years with thousands of flight hours in experimental aircraft. Final approval for the engine STC was received May 1, 2013 from the Chicago Special Certification office.