State of AMTSociety Address
Toolbox raffle
The Snap-on toolbox that was the raffle prize in the scholarship fund-raising event was won by Michhael A. Molzahn of Ozark, MO. Molzahn is employed by American Eagle Airlines at the Springfield-Branson National Airport.
Now for the rest of the story: When I called Mike to tell him he was the winner, he replied to me, “I am donating the toolbox and all the tools to my alma mater, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, OK.” He informed me that a list of the tools they need and the color of the toolbox would be sent to me. Now the story gets even better. I received the list and called Patrick D. McDevitt, the national accounts manager from Snap-on who worked with me initially to create the program, to inform him of the list of tools and the request for a Black KRA4107D toolbox. He was so much in awe of Mike and what he was doing that he immediately added another $1,000 worth of tools for the school. There are not enough words to describe the passion and generosity of these two individuals. And thank you is not adequate.
Ken MacTiernan and Joe Hawkins have more on the Maintenance Skills Competition and the scholarship winners. Stay safe.
— Tom Hendershot
2011 Maintenance Skills Competition
One hundred thirty AMTs, representing four countries, stood tall February 23 – 25, 2011 during AMTSociety’s 4th Annual Maintenance Skills Competition in Las Vegas, NV. Competing in 12 events, ranging from safety wiring to electrical/avionic troubleshooting with composite and engine tasks thrown in, 26 teams of skilled AMTs and AMEs spoke out for their craft and profession.
Teams of AMEs came from China, Australia, and Mexico to compete against their peers in the United States. There are five categories to be competed in with first, second, and third place plaques and awards presented to the teams with the fastest overall scores.
This competition and professionalism is enabled not because of AMTSociety but because of the companies and organizations that compete but also those that provide the events to be competed in as well as the tools presented. AMTSociety wishes to thank the following for their support in providing challenging events and tools for this year’s MSC.
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association – Charles E. Taylor Event
USAF – Rigid Hydraulic Line Event
Duncan Aviation – Electrical Troubleshooting Event
FPTI – Hydraulic Test Stand Event
FedEx – JT9 Engine Event
USN – Composite Event
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Safety Wire Event
Nida Corporation – Electrical Troubleshooting Event
ATP- Regulatory Research Event
CAE – Avionic Troubleshooting
AMTSociety – Rigging Event
Southwest Airlines – APU Event
2011 MSC winners
Military
1: USN Fleet Readiness Center SW Team Gold
2: USN Fleet Readiness Center CW Team Blue
3: USAF Team McChord
Commercial
1: Southwest Airlines
2: Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA)
3: FedEx Team Indianapolis
Schools
1: Redstone College
2: Aviation Institute of Maintenance Team Atlanta
3: Crimson Technical College
MRO/OEM
1: Association of Maintenance Professionals (AMP)
2: Boeing
3: Team Mexico
General Aviation
1: Team Colorado
2: Gulfstream
Southwest Airlines not only took first place in the Commercial Aviation Category for the second year in a row but it also was awarded the William F. O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance which goes to the one team with the lowest overall score from among all the teams competing.
Companies that provided tools for prizes were Kennedy Tool Boxes, DeWALT, Stanley/Proto, Leatherman, NoiseBuster Headsets, David Clarke Headsets, Pan American Tools, and the biggest contributor was Snap-on Tools who gave ratcheting screwdrivers to all 130 competitors and judges and also provided tools for each first, second, and third place awardees as well as the William F. O’Brien Award recipients.
AMTSociety’s 5th Annual MSC is set for March 9 – 11, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV. See you there!
— Ken MacTiernan, Director AMTSociety, Chairman MSC
2011 scholarship winners
AMTSociety scholarship programs were established to provide professional training to outstanding students and established professionals from a range of backgrounds to pursue their studies in academic and specialized environments. The winners of the 2011 AMTSociety scholarships:
Charles E. Taylor Scholarship: Samantha R. Fowler. Fowler is a rising senior pursing an Associate of Applied Science degree at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) along with her Airframe and Powerplant certificates. She is already actively engaged in the industry, assisting with the repair and inspection of airplanes with several local aviation maintenance firms after class and weekends. Fowler is also a FAASTeam representative in the Little Rock FSDO.
Thomas “Tom” E. Hendershot Scholarship: Travis L. Beach. Beach is on course to graduate from Emily Griffith Aircraft Maintenance Training Center, Watkins, CO, in December 2011 with his A&P certificate. He has a strong mechanical background in auto repair and restorations and he works in a local auto parts supply store. Since his enrollment at Emily Griffith in 2009, he has achieved perfect attendance and a 4.0 grade point average in his classes.
William “Bill” F. O’Brien Scholarship: Dillon R. Gardner. Gardner is a senior at Alamosa High School in Alamosa, CO. Active in many school activities, he is also a four-year varsity letter winner in baseball. In the fall of 2011, Gardner will attend the Spartan College Aviation Maintenance Technology AAS Degree Program in Tulsa, OK, and begin studying for his A&P certificate. His enthusiasm for aviation maintenance was first realized when he was 12, flying for the first time in his grandfather’s Maule.
Military Scholarship: AMT1 Todd Grote, U.S. Coast Guard. AMT1 Grote is the inaugural winner of this program. Petty Officer Grote is currently serving at Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi, TX. He has more than 1,800 flight hours as a dropmaster, flight engineer, and observer. He is a flight board examiner, shop supervisor, and holds many nondestructive inspection certificates. AMT1Grote is also pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at Embry-Riddle.
