September 30, 2021

Weyers Cave, Virginia—Avotek is pleased to announce publication of Thomas Eismin’s Avionics: Systems and Troubleshooting, third edition. The textbook remains an advanced avionics resource for engineers, technicians, educators, and their students. Readers will gain a better understanding of line troubleshooting and computer-controlled aircraft, functional concepts of avionics systems, and the entire aircraft.

Thomas Eismin, an experienced avionics professor and author, said, “This advanced textbook will bring avionics students well ahead of any FAA advanced electronics requirements and satisfy the needs for both corporate and air carrier technicians.”

For this third edition, Mr. Eismin’s improvements include updating the content with technological changes and FAA regulations; adding technical information for modern aircraft (i.e., Cessna Mustang, Boeing 787, and Airbus A350); updating the discussion on fiber optic data transfer systems; updating material on sensor technologies, data link services, and airborne broadband for passenger entertainment; and more.
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For more information on this book and the updated content, see https://www.avotek.com/avotek-releases-avionics-systems-and-troubleshooting-third-edition-by-thomas-k-eismin/ .
 
About Avotek
Avotek, of Weyers Cave, VA, develops and manufactures modern, fully functional aviation maintenance training systems; publishes a full line of high-quality, up-to-date textbooks that complement its training systems; and offers online training.
Avotek has earned an industry reputation for quality and excellence. Our team of authors includes mechanics, inspectors, aviation experts, and instructors. They are actively involved in aviation maintenance training or working in the aviation maintenance field. They bring their expertise to Avotek from colleges, universities, and current hands-on experience.

This week, Boeing released its hotly anticipated annual outlook, with demand numbers that are oft repeated in workforce development circles. Indeed, ATEC’s annual Pipeline Report (scheduled to publish by the end of the month!) relies heavily on the Boeing forecast when calculating its mechanic “supply” targets.

In its 2021-2040 Pilot and Technician Outlook, Boeing projects that over the next 20 years we’ll need 626,000 new maintenance technicians globally—132,000 of those in North America—to fly and maintain the global commercial aviation fleet. 

Avid readers of the annual report will immediately notice a stark difference in this year and last year’s bright, shiny technician demand infographic number—it goes down by more than 100,000 technicians globally (and 60,000 in North America).

​This year’s forecast calculation—unlike the two previous years—does not include business aviation and civil helicopter personnel demand. That is, this year’s demand numbers are based only on the 20-year fleet forecast for commercial aviation aircraft (with more than 30 seats) whereas last year the projection numbers considered commercial + business aviation + helicopter fleet demand.

Digging deeper into the subtext of previous year reports and we see that commercial aviation technician demand in North America actually increased seven percent—from 123,000 (the number forecasted in 2019 and 2020) to 132,000. Global demand for commercial aviation technicians goes down, but only by three percent.

​Since the demand calculation is based primarily on fleet forecast, the global downturn in technician projections is likely due to the pandemic-induced decline in the growth trajectory. The report indicates as much, stating: “Those in this industry who emerge from market downturns have historically resumed their growth trajectory through collaboration, adaptation, and innovation.” 

The report goes on to say—as it has in previous years—that the projections assume a steady stream of “newly qualified personnel to replace those who have left or will soon exit the industry through mandatory retirement, early retirement, recent layoffs and furloughs, and ongoing attrition.” As we know, replacing retiring personnel is a stark challenge all on its own. 

Given most maintenance schools utilize the annual Boeing forecast to support recruitment efforts, marketing teams will have their work cut out for them to clearly and succinctly explain the difference between 2020 and 2021 projections (if you find a creative solution, let ATEC know!). But, whether the Boeing forecast includes helicopter and business aviation demand or not, it still paints a stark picture requiring an aggressive playbook to meet future workforce needs.

ATEC's foundational arm, Choose Aerospace, is proud to announce its slate of 2021 scholarship and award recipients including two students, hailing from Liberty University and the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA), who claimed the top cash award. 
 
Angelo Cosentino of Liberty University and Julio Lorenti of PIA were each granted $2,500 to pursue their aviation careers. Lorenti is in the third of four semesters toward completing his Aviation Maintenance studies while Cosentino, from Pittsburgh, PA, is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology: Flight and Maintenance.
 
“Funding the education of deserving aviation students and leaders is one of the most important missions for this organization,” said Choose Aerospace President Ryan Goertzen. “The industry has a daunting task to meet workforce demand projections, and it is our privilege to encourage students to choose aerospace careers through our scholarship program.”
 
“I’ve been drawn to mechanics since I was young since my father is a diesel mechanic,” Cosentino said. “After 15 years working in the accounting world, I decided to take my love for mechanics and passion for nuances and explore the world of aviation. My ambition is to maintain my relentless pursuit of perfection and strive to make aviation and my community a better place. I want to give my daughter an example to follow and opportunities to do better and achieve more.”
 
Cosentino joined the aviation industry in middle school when he became a member of Civil Air Patrol inspired by his first commercial flight. “I gained a desire to serve others with aviation through the Civil Air Patrol which ultimately led me to pursue both pilot and mechanic certificates. My career path, which includes aerial survey or public safety sectors of aviation, provide a unique opportunity to accomplish by goals of helping others.”
 
He expects his studies to help him develop as a mechanic and an aviator. He is a student ambassador for the school’s aeronautics program where he worked with a fellow aviator and Associate Dean Dr. Mitchell Morrison, to develop future leaders in all aspects of aviation and sharing aviation with those in our community. He assists the student-led High Flight Mentoring Program as a Lead Mentor, counseling mentors as they tutor and coach underclassmen and new students. Cosentino is also a Safety Officer for our National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) flight team and a student representative on the Safety Committee.
 
Lorenti is pursuing an Aviation Maintenance Technology degree and is driven to success by his small daughter who inspires him to be the best he can including becoming class president despite only joining PIA in January. He also formed a collaborative study group which he credits for his 3.85 GPA and his place on the directors list.
 
“Since being class president, I have been invited to sit in on additional meetings such as the accreditation meeting,” he wrote of his experiences and how they helped his success. “I always take advantage of these opportunities as they give me the chance to get to know people in the field of aviation and hopefully put me in a good place when searching for my career path in the future. I became an ambassador for PIA through their Instagram page, which is helping to promote the school through social media. Most recently, I got a part-time job with Ryder Jet at the Hagerstown Regional Airport helping refuel and park planes. Between work and school, I am fully committed to the field of aviation.”

This year, a host of partner organizations sponsored $37,000 worth of scholarships, textbooks, tool sets, training systems, and testing fee credits for educators and future aviators. Scholarship donors include the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA), Snap-On, Nida Corporation, AVOTEK, Aircraft Technical Book Company (ATBC) and CertTEC.
 
The entire slate of award winners are as follows:
 
Choose Aerospace $2500 Scholarship
Julio Lorenti, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics – Hagerstown
Angelo Cosentino, Liberty University

ARSA $1000 Scholarship
Fawn Carrington, Tulsa Technology Center

ASA $1000 Scholarship
​Jared Vigar, Purdue University
Daniel Kicinski, Liberty University

Snap-On Tool Set
Temitayo Afolayan, Connecticut Aero Tech School
 
Avotek AMT Series Textbooks
Nicholas Alatis, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Eric Zamora, George T. Baker Aviation Technical College
Abigail Carreiro, Cape Cod Community College
Ethan Sprague, Northland Community and Technical College
Tanner Empey, Southern Utah University

ATBC EASA Part 66 Study Set
Amber VanEvera, Liberty University
Ahmed Assoul, Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Fremont
Gardenia Davis Lopez, Honolulu Community College
Makana Mai Kalani Smith, Honolulu Community College

ASA A&P Textbook & eBook Set
Kelly Quillman, Tulsa Technology Center

Avotek Avionics Textbook Set
Oluwaseun Ajayi, Broward College
Robert Delghiaccio, Teterboro School of Aeronautics
Reminton Prentice, Lansing Community College
Kyla Wilson, Eastern Florida State College
Caleb Scott, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

CertTEC AET Certification Exam Testing Scholarship
Lillia Farr, Letourneau University
Sebastian Parker, Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Freemont
Vinicius Ribeiro, Teterboro School of Aeronautics
 
ATBC A&P Textbook Set
David White Jr., Honolulu Community College
Kayla Klopman, Broward College
Brin Barnett, Southern Utah University

Nida Training System
Des Moines Public Schools

Avotek Dale Hurst Memorial Instructor Scholarship
David Ortiz, Central New Mexico Community College

Congratulations to all the award winners and thank you to our generous sponsors.

Look for the 2022 Choose Aerospace scholarship applications to open in December!

At long last, after a multi-year application process, Blue Ridge Community College received FAA approval to offer its Light Sport Repairman Maintenance Course through distance learning.

BRCC has for years sought FAA authorization to provide the course—approved through the FAA's Specialty Aircraft Examiner Branch—to students remotely. FAA officials were hesitant to allow the remote offering given the lack of inspector guidance specific to Light Sport Repairman Training online delivery.
 
In a Sept. 29 letter to FAA, ATEC advocated for a stream-lined approach to distance learning approvals for aviation maintenance technician schools that provide FAA-approved curriculum outside of part 147. ATEC argued that part 147 programs already go through rigorous approval processes to obtain distance learning authorization and that duplicative review is inefficient and unnecessary.

While (unfortunately) the FAA did not approve the online delivery based on BRCC’s current part 147 distance learning authorization, the school did use its part 147 distance learning procedures as the basis for its application.

​Kenosha, Wis., September 8, 2021 – The Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on is back on for 2022!
 
“We’re very happy to be back hosting the AMC and hope that teams from around the world can join us in showcasing their maintenance and troubleshooting skills next April in Dallas,” said Ken MacTiernan, Chairman, Aerospace Maintenance Competition.
 
The AMC coincides with the MRO Americas 2022 Convention, April 25-28, at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. The annual competition for aircraft maintenance professionals and aspiring students has been cancelled for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  
 
Team registration opens Oct. 1 at https://www.aerospacecompetition.com/.
 
MacTiernan said excitement of the AMC’s return is growing within the maintenance community, as several airlines, MROs and schools have already verbally committed to fielding a team in next year’s competition.
 
“The AMC is a great venue for everyone to reconnect and stand proud again for our craft,” MacTiernan said. “Although the travel industry certainly slumped over the past year, we’ve never really left. Mechanics were still fixing airplanes. Students were still in school. Manufacturers were still building aircraft.
 
“The AMC is back, but collectively as a maintenance community, we never really left.”
 
Over the past several years, the Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on has grown to become a widely attended international aviation experience for both technicians and fans. The venue provides certified AMTs from major airlines, MROs and OEMs, as well as military personnel and students in FAA Part 147 schools, the chance to test their skills against their peers.
 
Participants compete in more than 20 events, including challenges such as airframe damage inspection, cable rigging, fiber optics, engine fan blade removal and many others that test their knowledge, skill and team work.
 
The team earning the overall best score takes home the grand prize in aviation maintenance – the William F. “Bill” O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance. Presented by Snap-on, the coveted award signifies the highest standard of excellence in aviation maintenance. The O’Brien Award is a traveling trophy that debuted at the 2013 competition. The winning team receives the honor of displaying the 5-foot-tall trophy in their facility for a year. In addition to the trophy, Snap-on is awarding more than $75,000 in tools and equipment as prizes to the top finishers in the competition. In 2019, the five-member team from United Airlines Team Cleveland won the O’Brien Award for the third straight year. 
 
For more information about Snap-on, call 877.740.1900, or visit https://www.snapon.com/Aviation; for information on the 2022 Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on, visit https://www.aerospacecompetition.com/.
 
About Snap-on Industrial
Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users.  Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources.  Products and services are sold through the company’s franchisee, company-direct, distribution and Web-based channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $3.7 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of Senators sent a letter to Secretary Buttigieg and Administrator Dickson, encouraging the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to swiftly implement congressionally-mandated interim final regulations in support of aviation maintenance training schools.

​On Dec. 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Section 135 of the law directs the FAA to remove the current regulation and replace it with community-drafted language that would modernize long-outdated training requirements.

The Act directed FAA to issue the new rule by March 27, 2021. While the rulemaking is scheduled for publication in November, Congress warned against further delays: 

"As original sponsors of the language, we encourage and request swift implementation of the directive in support of aviation maintenance training schools, which have a large part to play in the aviation industry’s recovery from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," said the letter. "Given the immediate and increased need for expanding aviation workforce programs, it is imperative the part 147 rulemaking remains a top priority for the FAA."

The letter also called for immediate publication of the long-overdue Mechanic Airman Certification Standard (ACS). The ACS is an important piece of the new part 147, which will require schools to align curriculum with the standard. Congress reiterated its intent that the standard be published in a way that would not disrupt FAA's ability to regularly revise the ACS to align with industry standards, as is the current practice with other certification standards. 
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Led by Sen. James Inhofe (OK), the letter was signed by several original co-sponsors of the PART 147 Act, including Sens. Tammy Duckworth (IL), Jerry Moran (KS), Shelly Capito (WV), John Howeven (ND), Deb Fischer (NE), and Richard Burr (NC).

For more information about the part 147 interim final rule, download the executive summary or visit the part 147 issue page.