National Aviation Week is Aug. 19-25 and a good time to reflect on the industry.
David White, A&P, responded to five questions on our mind as we began National Aviation Week. He is the lead instructor for the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program at the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) campus in Avondale, Arizona,
Aviation Pros: What are some of the most exciting things going on in aviation today?
David White: With the combination of all of our new age technologies such as quantum computers, AI (artificial intelligence) and robotics, more advanced aircraft are being developed such as:
- Pilotless aircraft (not drones): Fully advanced AI-flown aircraft.
- Gyrocopters: Rotorcraft (helicopters) that have their main rotor blades not driven by an engine, instead they auto rotate by air flowing over the blades. This type of personal aircraft requires a minimal amount of space – approximately 20 feet – to either takeoff or land.
- The re-emergence and research of an engine design that was shelved back in the 1980s called a propfan or an unducted fan. This radical engine design had the same performance as modern airline engines (turbofans), but with the fuel economy of propeller-driven aircraft (turboprops). This technology was shelved because of the extreme amount of noise that the engine produced.
Aviation Pros: What are some of the biggest challenges?
David White: There are several hurdles to overcome within the aviation industry:
- Supply chain issues that are slowing down production of new aircraft and the maintenance of currently flying aircraft.
- The severe shortage of aviation maintenance workers. The best estimates of various studies have been reporting a 10- to 20-year shortage of aircraft mechanics. The retirement of the more numerous, older generation professionals and the advent of newer aviation and aerospace technologies have exacerbated the shortage.
Aviation Pros: How are technical institutes working to address some of these challenges?
David White: With the help of our country's FAA administration, technical institutes have ramped up school space, training equipment and staff to help mitigate the stresses of aviation's manpower shortages.
Aviation Pros: What do you personally like most about aviation?
David White: I love the mentality of the aviation community. Just by attending airshows, you get to meet so many interesting people, and all with high levels of aviation knowledge in one avenue of aviation or another. One can literally just stop another person at an airshow and just strike up a conversation about one aviation topic or another. Aviation community really tries to take care if its own.
Aviation Pros: What’s the best way to celebrate aviation week?
David White: Attend airshows, support local aviation museums, volunteer.
