State of AMTSociety Address
On behalf of AMTSociety, the board of directors, and staff, I would like to wish you good health and happiness during this holiday season!
As you know, our industry has not been immune to the impact of the recession. The good news is that we believe aviation is on the upswing and we are part of the solution. The skills and dedication of our aircraft maintenance professionals set us apart. Each of us lives and breathes our industry and I am sure you share my belief that we will not only survive, but thrive, during the months and years to come.
AMTSociety has existed to serve your IA renewal needs for four years by offering quality education programs in convenient locations. Our relationship with the FAA has ensured our ongoing ability to meet your continuing education hours.
Please note that due to the current economic conditions, we will be introducing an $18 IA renewal fee for all registrations received after Dec. 31, 2010. The fee will be payable online or during on-site registration of the event. My team will continue to work diligently in maintaining a program that offers great value and convenience to our members.
I appreciate your continued commitment to AMTSociety and promise, individually and as an organization, we remain committed to promoting, protecting, and enhancing our craft and the aviation industry.
Ground operations
As winter gets in to full swing across the country, as mechanics we should be aware of its impact on our surface operations at the airport. Operating on a snow or ice-covered surface — either in a ground vehicle or an aircraft — requires an extra degree of caution. Movement of ground equipment should be done in a manner that allows you to avoid sliding or skidding into other equipment or aircraft, or skidding across hold lines.
Extreme caution also is required/needed when towing an aircraft due to the added weight, and the fact that most of the time you are relying solely on the braking action of the tug to stop both the aircraft and the tug. On wet, slick, or icy surfaces, the aircraft in tow can suddenly jackknife out of control as you turn or attempt to stop. The same cautions must also be adhered to when taxiing on aircraft in these conditions.
When diminished braking action is present, the aircraft can slide off taxiways and/or runways if one is not careful. When you are taxiing and approaching hold lines and turns, be sure to use minimal speed to ensure your ability to come to a stop prior to the hold line or to avoid skidding off the taxiway. Another very important factor, as with all ground operations, keep your eyes outside the cockpit while taxiing and be sure to adhere to all ATC instructions.
Be safe.
— Tom Hendershot
Toolbox raffle
To support the AMTSociety Scholarship Awards program, Snap-on Industrial is donating a $2,500 seven-drawer toolbox, Model KRA4107D, along with $2,500 Snap-on tools of the winner’s choice. Measuring 40” x 20”, the toolbox will be awarded to the winner of a drawing following the Maintenance Skills Competition on Feb. 25, 2011 in Las Vegas. The winner can decide on the color along with $2,500 worth of Snap-on tools of his or her choice. The cost of the tickets is one for $5 or three for $10 and is tax deductible as the scholarship fund is under 501(c)3 status. Tickets will be available at IA seminars, Cygnus Aviation Expo, and from the board of directors.
New procedures for Cygnus Aviation Expo registration
In an attempt to streamline and improve the entire registration process in Las Vegas, NV, for the Maintenance Skills Competition, please note the following procedures are in effect now.
Who Can Enter: To enter the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition as a member of a team, you must be a licensed AMT or AME involved in, and/or supporting aircraft maintenance functions at any organization, company, or corporation. Also, any currently enrolled student in an FAA, EASA, CASA, or equivalently authorized school may enter. Personnel of any country’s Armed Forces involved in the aircraft maintenance field are also eligible.
Team Costs: $500 USD per team, also each member of the team must be a current AMTSociety member. Not a current member? Join at www.amtsociety.org. Pricing varies on status within the industry; membership levels include regular/associate, student, active military, and instructor.
How to Register: It is important to include an email address for each person; this is how you will receive your registration confirmation which also includes information on how to book your special MSC discounted hotel rate for the Flamingo and other important MSC updates.
Teams: Each team must select one Lead person to register every team member, guests, and other company representatives involved with MSC.
The Lead person will complete the registration information; select or add another registrant; and nearly all of the information will be pre-populated into the next person’s registration.
The Lead person should have the following information available when registering team members, guests, and other company representatives: individual names, job titles, email addresses, contact phone numbers, and any other contact information that would be different from the Lead’s. The Lead will need to choose the relationship of the registrant to the team; example, team member, captain, coach, guest, etc.
Guests: Each team member/judge is allowed one guest. All guests should register using the above directions. Select Guest as your team member type.
Registration and payment must be completed by Feb. 5, 2011. Complete information and details regarding the Maintenance Skills Competition can be found at www.amtsociety.org.
Mark your calendars 2010-2011 IA Roadshow
Please take the time to review the schedule below, and keep in mind that this training is not just for the holders of Inspection Authorization but for all personnel involved in the aircraft maintenance process. The previous IA renewals have been well attended and we appreciate you taking the time to attend and benefit from the speakers and training that we provide. If you are going to attend, please preregister so we can plan accordingly.
Feb. 16, 2011, Kansas City, MO
Feb. 23-24, 2011, Aviation Industry Expo, Las Vegas
New: March 9, 2011, WATC, Wichita, KS
March 16, 2011, Aurora, CO
April 9, 2011, ATEC Annual Meeting & FAA/DME Renewal, Orlando, FL
AMTSociety scholarships
At the December board of directors’ meeting, it was unanimously decided that notification will be sent to each of the winners upon the committee’s selection. That will give the recipient of each award the chance to attend (at their expense) the Cygnus Aviation Expo to be held in Las Vegas where the winners will be formally announced on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011. Contact Joseph C. Hawkins, scholarship chairman or Tom Hendershot for additional information.
AMTSociety would like to thank Michael A. Molzahn for his very gracious donation again this year to the scholarship program. It is very much appreciated, and a deserving individual is going to benefit from your annual donation. This is one way we can give the students today the financial help to keep this great industry trained and well-prepared.
Corporate Sponsors:
Bell Helicopter
Founded in 1935 as Bell Aircraft Corp., Bell continues to set the pace for the industry and expand the scope of vertical lift. Bell Helicopter was the first to obtain certification for a commercial helicopter. Over its rich history, Bell has delivered more than 35,000 aircraft to its customers around the world.
With forward thinking in advanced concepts, Bell Helicopter invented tilt rotor aircraft. These unique aircraft lift like a helicopter, then fly like an airplane with twice the speed, three times the payload, and five times the range of traditional helicopters.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, Bell Helicopter has additional plants in Amarillo, TX, and Mirabel, Canada. It maintains key logistics supply and service centers in Europe, Canada, and Singapore as well as in the United States.
Dassault Falcon
Dassault Falcon is responsible for selling and supporting Falcon business jets throughout the world. It is part of Dassault Aviation, a leading aerospace company with a presence in more than 70 countries across five continents. Dassault Aviation produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcon business jets.
The company has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities on multiple continents. It employs a total work force of more than 12,000. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, 2,000 Falcon jets have been delivered to 67 countries worldwide. The family of Falcon jets currently in production includes the tri-jets — the Falcon 900EX EASy, 900LX, and the 7X — as well as the twin-engine Falcon 2000LX.
Falcon Customer Service provides product support and assistance to operators of all Falcons, from legacy aircraft to the most modern models. Falcon’s state-of-the-art technical center has locations in three time zones, and all calls are answered by a live specialist 24/7/365. Call anytime at: (201) 541-4747 or (33) 1 4711 3737.
