AMT_April-May2021 - 45

GAMA INSIGHT

Protecting the Aviation Manufacturing and Maintenance Workforce
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the outlook for the general aviation industry
looked encouraging, particularly given that in 2019 piston airplane and business
jet shipments reached decade highs. The future of the industry looked even
more promising, given ongoing development and innovations in manufacturing
methods, aircraft design, avionics, automation and propulsion systems. When
the pandemic hit, our industry was significantly impacted.

By Pete Bunce

Pete Bunce is the
President and CEO
of GAMA, which
represents more than
100 of the world's
leading manufacturers
of general aviation
airplanes and
rotorcraft, engines,
avionics, components
and related services.

The impact on manufacturers could be seen from
the 2020 year-end report of the shipments and billings
of general aviation aircraft, which we issued in late
February. The pandemic negatively impacted general
aviation and stifled the industry's growth. The value of
aircraft deliveries decreased by 16% from 2019. Each
segment of the industry suffered losses.
A study commissioned by the Aerospace Industries
Association (AIA), in July of 2020, estimated that
100,000 manufacturing workers have already lost
their jobs and 220,000 additional jobs remain at risk
of furlough or layoff.
The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA)
measured the impact on the maintenance community
in October of 2020. They found that maintenance revenue had fallen sharply and that the decline in business activity led to job losses. It is projected that more
than 50,000 jobs were lost, which accounts for nearly a
quarter of the aviation maintenance workforce.
Prior to the pandemic, many business aviation
maintenance organizations reported they were seeing shortages in available qualified and skilled technicians. Further, many companies reported additional
challenges retaining qualified technicians as many
would pursue careers with commercial operators or
other industries seeking similar technical skillsets in
fields such as amusement parks, HVAC, windfarms
and manufacturing.
The overall pandemic-related economic losses and
corresponding workforce reductions has resulted in
a temporary increase in availability of qualified technicians. However, as companies begin to return to
normal operations and staffing levels, the future availability of this highly-skilled workforce is uncertain.
Will technicians move to other fields? Would a technician shortage reappear? It is our hope that we can
work to keep our skilled workforce within the industry.
Over the last year, GAMA and other aviation associations, including ARSA and AIA, have been working

with members of Congress to build support for our
manufacturers, maintenance providers, the supply
chain and their respective workforces. Fortunately,
the latest congressional pandemic relief package
included provisions to help the industry address these
challenges.
Provisions within the American Rescue Plan Act
establish a $3 billion payroll support program within
the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to
provide grants to eligible manufacturers, maintenance
providers and their suppliers to maintain their workforce during the pandemic. This temporary program
would be a 50-50 cost share between employers and the
federal government to retain, recall or rehire aviation
manufacturing and maintenance employees.
We are deeply grateful for the leadership shown by
Senators Cantwell (D- Wash.), Moran (R-Kan.) and
Warner (D-Va.), as well as Representatives Larsen
(D-Wash) and Estes (R-Kan.), who all championed
this innovative cost-sharing program. They each
played a pivotal role in the drafting, promoting and
passage of the program and will be critical in helping
the USDOT implement this vital program to help
strengthen our fragile supply chain, keep highlyskilled workers in the industry, as well as support
some of the smaller companies that need assistance
to maintain operations.
The aviation manufacturing and maintenance
industry is an integral part of the U.S. economy and
transportation system. It is important that we continue to work with Congress to ensure that our industry
receives the assistance needed to aid in the recovery.
Over the last year, our industry has faced headwinds, but we have shown that we can adapt to overcome them. Despite the pandemic-related setbacks,
the industry is very resilient and we remain optimistic given the talent and strength of our phenomenal
workforce and the history of industry leaders and its
employees responding to challenges.

www.AviationPros.com

http://www.AviationPros.com

AMT_April-May2021

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