Avionics News December 2022 - 39

THE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON
Continued from page 17
passenger-carrying air taxis to the larger cargo-carrying
aircraft. In parallel with the basic aircraft is the aircraft
propulsion system; the smallest of the aircraft are
operating with straight battery-powered electrical
power, while the larger aircraft are evaluating hybrid
electric systems and hydrogen propulsion.
The Standard Guide for Unmanned Aircraft System
Maintenance Technician Qualification defines the
unmanned aircraft into three categories of aircraft
beginning with the least-complex, small aircraft
progressing through medium complexity mimicking
small Part 23 aircraft to complex category 3 aircraft
using airframe technologies on par with small business
aircraft.
When overlaying the new aircraft with the
maintenance technician career, there is a perfect fit,
beginning with the ultra-small aircraft with simple
plug-and-play technology and elementary maintenance
tasks, advancing to more complex technology, more
troubleshooting, and more technical requirements.
These can be either electric class 2 UAS, early CAR
3 aircraft or the later Part 23 aircraft. The next tier for
maintenance professionals is the most complex UAS,
class 3 aircraft with fuselage technologies typical in
manned flight today and flight management systems
parallel to large commercial Part 25 type technologies.
The Vertical Flight Society and Hysky Society
recently published a report highlighting the need for
10,000 additional engineers, which is a substantial
number. However, it is important to put this number
in perspective. Within the United States, aerospace
product and parts manufacturing employees make up
approximately 84,330 engineers of all disciplines.
Although manufacturing only represents a portion of
the total engineers, about one-fourth of all aerospace
engineers, the 10,000 additional engineers would
represent about a 12% overall increase. While we do
not have estimations of the technical trades necessary to
support the growth of AAM, it is fair to estimate their
overall needs will represent roughly 10% of the current
aviation trades. As such, they are too small to stand on
their own and too large to compete with limited human
resources. As John F. Kennedy said, " A rising tide lifts
all boats. " By taking advantage of the exciting modern
technologies of AAM, together we can recruit a new
generation of technicians.
But technology alone will not be enough.
Many AEA-member companies are " ready, willing
and able " to help promote the industry but simply don't
know where to start. On its editorial website, CO, the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers an article titled
" 5 ways to recruit employees from trade schools " at
https://bit.ly/3UJO2KA:
1. Partner with trade schools.
2. Offer internships/apprenticeships.
3. Connect to industrial networks.
4. Attend job fairs at trade schools.
5. Offer competitive benefits.
I found step 3, Connect to industrial networks,
especially interesting. The following is from the CO:
" Career and technical student organizations help
businesses connect with potential employees from
trade schools. CTSOs train students from middle
school to postsecondary graduates in a variety
of industrial, technological and medical fields,
among others. "
While aviation is familiar with aviation-centric
organizations (AEA, NATA, NBAA, AOPA, EAA,
etc.), the article in CO is focused on non-aviation
organizations. CO further suggests:
" Connecting with these CTSOs, such as
SkillsUSA, allows your company opportunities
to speak and engage with potential employees.
SkillsUSA hosts events each year that allow
students to compete in their respective trades.
Additionally, they have a meet and greet where
companies can introduce themselves to soonto-be
graduates. Local labor unions also have
opportunities to meet trade students at hiring fairs
and centers in various locations across the United
States. "
The AEA participates in numerous aviation school
advisory councils, including high schools, universities
and technical schools. I have found several high school
trade programs that have been drawn to the exciting
new technology of AAM because the students and
parents demand it. This is where partnering with a
trade school (step 1) may open the door to discuss
other aviation opportunities that the school may not be
aware of, and if they are aware, they may not be aware
that there is a " local " employer ready to hire their
graduates. Nonetheless, communicating, participating,
supporting and partnering with your local trade
school has proven to be an important source for new
apprentices into the aviation trades. q
avionics news * december 2022 39
https://www.bit.ly/3UJO2KA
Avionics News December 2022

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