COVER STORY By the Numbers The AMT 2021 Paints and Coatings Survey was blasted out to our readers, asking questions ranging from their type of paint operation to what the most important attributes of paint and paint suppliers are. The survey had approximately 20 questions with multiple choice or openended answers. We wanted to provide some of what we felt were the more applicable survey questions and responses to you, our readers, who paint aircraft or aircraft components as part or all their aircraft maintenance business. Some of the response figures have been summarized or rounded up or down to provide an easier to read snap-shot. What type of aircraft do you paint, specify or influence coatings for in your facility? 67% General Aviation 41% Business Jets Commercial Airline/Cargo 27% 24% Helicopters Military 15% OEM Parts 15% 0 10 20 30 40 50 Do you expect your percentage of paint purchases to increase or decrease in the coming year? 39% Increase Decrease 8% 53% Stay the same What are key obstacles to growth for your paint operations? 12% Pandemic/ COVID-19 24% Business competition 44% Regulatory concerns 44% Operating space 60 70 80 White is out of style. More and more customers are gravitating toward lots of color and bold design choices, not leaving any white left on the aircraft. What is the single most important obstacle to growth? 58% Work force/ skill level 39% Workforce/skill level 14 APRIL/MAY 2021 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY