August-September-2021 - 39

G A M A INS IG H T
Preparing for the Next
Frontier of Aviation
There is promise and excitement in the future of general aviation. Our industry
is beginning to bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic and is seeing
progress in innovative technologies and the development of highly-automated
aircraft, in various configurations. This Advanced Air Mobility sector will create
new opportunities across the broad spectrum of the industry.
As an international trade association, the General
Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) works
to foster and advance the general welfare, safety, interests
and activities of the global business and general
aviation industry. This includes promoting a better
understanding of general aviation manufacturing,
maintenance, repair and overhaul, and the important
role these industry segments play in economic
growth and opportunity, and in serving the critical
transportation needs of communities, companies and
individuals worldwide.
Knowing that a new segment of industry was on
the horizon, GAMA, in 2015, established the Electrical
Propulsion and Innovation Committee (EPIC) to
focus on the certification, production, operational
and continued airworthiness aspects of electric and
hybrid propulsion aircraft as well as introduction of
increased automation and other key innovations into
general aviation design. EPIC promotes partnerships
by working collaboratively with the industry and global
aviation regulators in key states of design, as well as
supporting parallel initiatives at ICAO.
EPIC now has more than 100 active member companies
participating and supporting collective work
to address key issue areas. These areas vary widely
but include electric and hybrid propulsion, automating
traditional pilot tasks, electric vertical takeoff and
landing (eVTOL) aircraft, infrastructure and machinelevel
communications.
While much of the effort so far has been focused on
addressing the certification and operational aspects of
these newer technologies, GAMA has also been leading
efforts and supporting activities that promote the
evolution of maintenance technicians and supporting
infrastructure improvements to accommodate
these newer technologies and products. For example,
in 2018, we supported changes to the FAA's Airman
Certification Standards to update the materials to add
new items to the knowledge, risk management and
skills section regarding hybrid and electric propulsion
ground operations and servicing considerations. These
changes will ensure the technicians are knowledgeable
of the inherent risks associated with hybrid and
electric propulsion aircraft systems and are better
prepared to support these aircraft well into the future.
GAMA is also partnering with industry consensus
standards bodies such as ASTM's Committee F46 on
Aerospace Personnel, which focuses on defining the
core competencies required of aviation maintainers,
engineers and flight crews. Just last year, F46 launched
a new, specialized subcommittee, F46.06 Autonomous
and Electric Aircraft Maintenance Personnel, which
is tasked with developing maintenance technician
standards for next-generation aircraft including
unmanned systems and Advanced Air Mobility aircraft.
The standards are being created with input from
a diverse and global team of industry and regulatory
subject matter experts.
GAMA's EPIC has also been coordinating with
industry associations such as the Aircraft Electronic
Association (AEA), Aerospace Industry Association
(AIA), National Air Transportation Association
(NATA), National Business Aviation Association
(NBAA) and other industry organizations to develop
hybrid and electric propulsion and flight control
guidance to be used by operators when developing
training materials for ground/servicing activities as
well as infrastructure considerations. This report will
help to identify potential hazards and accompanying
risk mitigation strategies which should be considered
for inclusion in training materials for ground crew
who are expected to encounter hybrid and electric
propulsion aircraft.
It will be essential that all the supporting sectors
of Advanced Air Mobility are prepared for its emergence,
especially the maintenance and repair sector.
Our industry stands to gain significantly from this new
frontier, and we must be ready to meet it head on.
EPIC now
has more than
100 active
member
companies
participating
and
supporting
collective
work to
address key
issue areas.
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.
www.AviationPros.com 39
http://www.AviationPros.com
August-September-2021

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