Aircraft Maintenance Technology - 15

expansions and turn down work. "Every
associated technical skill ... mechanic,
sheet/metal structures technician, welders, machinists, painters, composite
technicians, fuel cell technicians, avionic
specialist electricians, non-destructive
testing, and inspectors are sought across
the industry," reports Brady Templeton,
president, Airborne Maintenance &
Engineering Services. "As with any business, any situation involving unavailability
of trained workers prevents a business
from growing, expanding, and seeking
new customers. In any industry, a shortage of qualified and skilled workers has an
impact. Such conditions are even greater
in aviation, where safety is paramount."
Chuck Horning, who holds an Airframe
and Powerplant Mechanic (A&P) license
and a General Radio Operator License, has
seen aviation ebb and flow since he began
his career with Delta Air Lines in 1987. His
current position as an associate professor
of Aviation Maintenance Science at EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University and his past
career highlights afford him both an academic perspective and on-the-job insight

into the tech shortage. This knowledge in
hand, he warns, "The situation is going to
get worse before it gets better. Everyone
is predicting the actual shortage will hit
around 2022. That is when we're going to
have more people leaving than coming in."
The Aviation Technician Education
Council (ATEC) Pipeline Report echoes
Horning's sentiments. This document
finds that the aviation maintenance industry continues to face both internal and
external pressures to generate enough
technicians. The report warns of unfilled
seats at technical schools and other industries luring qualified graduates from aviation. But ATEC executive director Crystal
Maguire reports the study also highlights
that efforts to reverse these trends are
gaining traction.
"Employers are more engaged and looking to set up pipeline programs and tuition
reimbursement programs. They are getting
really creative to build the pipeline," she
says. "According to a recent ATEC survey,

starting wages for technicians right out
of school are going up, too. In fact, they
went up 40 cents an hour in the last year.
That's a good indictor as well."
Changes made in the 2018 FAA
Reauthorization Bill also highlight signs
of hope. The bill allocates $5 million for
FAA education and training grants through
2023. The grants aim to encourage government, industry, and academia partnerships to solve the shortage. The move has
widespread support across the industry,
as companies walk in lockstep with the
government and educational institutions.
"These measures will help begin training the additional employees we need and
can put to work immediately in our repair
facilities," reported AAR president and
CEO John Holmes in an AAR whitepaper

ONCE STUDENTS
complete the threemonth classroom
portion of the program,
the company assigns
them a mentor.

www.AviationPros.com 15

http://www.AviationPros.com

Aircraft Maintenance Technology

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aircraft Maintenance Technology