Every year for more than 50 years, the General Aviation Awards program and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have recognized aviation professionals for their contributions to general aviation in the fields of flight instruction, aviation maintenance/avionics, and safety.

Recipients of the 2020 National General Aviation Awards included Dennis Robert Wolter of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was named 2020 Aviation Technician of the Year.

Dennis graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Design. After graduation, he taught engineering and aviation maintenance at Cincinnati State Technical College from 1970 to 1973. He received his mechanic airframe rating in 1972, his powerplant rating in 1984, and inspection authorization in 1999.

In 1973, Dennis founded Air Mod with the goal of designing, fabricating and installing interiors in general aviation piston aircraft. His company became known throughout the country as a premier aircraft renovation facility, bringing old-school craftsmanship and innovative design to every project. State of the art interiors, custom instrument panels, improved soundproofing, ventilation and lighting upgrades, ergonomic comfort, safety enhancements, and other modifications are all executed to the highest standards.

Dennis served on the board of the Great Oaks career and technical education school system in Wilmington, Ohio, serving on their aviation program development committee. Over the past four decades, he has presented numerous seminars about interior renovation, corrosion, aging aircraft issues and compliance with FAA regulations at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and at Sun 'n Fun. He has given similar presentations at AOPA and American Bonanza Society (ABS) conventions and Cessna Pilots Association (CPA) fly-ins. In 2019, at the request of the ABS Air Safety Foundation, Dennis gave a three-hour presentation on aging aircraft issues that was videotaped and placed on the ABS website as a tool to educate Beech owners how to keep their airplanes in airworthy condition.

The FAA will present individual awards to each National Honoree in July during EAA AirVenture 2020 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and their names will be added to the large perpetual plaque located in the lobby of the EAA AirVenture Museum. Also included in the prize package for each National Honoree is an all-expenses-paid trip to Oshkosh to attend the awards presentation and other special GA Awards activities.

“I am very excited to announce the selection of the National Honorees for the 2020 General Aviation Awards,” said GA Awards board chairman Sandya Narayanswami, “These awards highlight the important role played by these individuals in promoting aviation education and flight safety,” she added, “The awards program sponsors are pleased that these outstanding aviation professionals will receive the recognition they so richly deserve before their peers in Oshkosh.”

This awards program is a partnership and a cooperative effort between the FAA and more than a dozen sponsoring organizations from the aviation industry, including PAMA. The selection process begins with local offices. Panels of aviation professionals from within those four fields then select national winners from the pool of regional winners. 

For more information, visit ​https://mailchi.mp/1083da19cd6a/2019-regional-ga-award-honorees-named-3900262?e=e17da5bca4 

University of North Dakota Aviation Graduate Student, Robert Teal is conducting research for a thesis on continued education for airframe and powerplant mechanics. Robert is asking the PAMA community for input to support his study.

The purpose of the research is to determine the willingness of aircraft mechanics and aircraft maintenance organizations to employ recurrent knowledge based training requirements.

All certificated mechanics are asked to participate in a short, 5 minute survey to support the research. 

The survey will be open until March 15.

The PistonPower™ referral program allows PAMA members to offer customers a variety of maintenance programs and receive a commission of 3% of the enrollment fee. Learn more about the program and how PAMA members can take advantage of the opportunity.

The program also funds a scholarship for individuals interested in a career as an aircraft maintenance
technician. More information about that opportunity is available at Scholarship.

The live webinar took place on Feb 12, 2020. Tune in to the recorded version by clicking the register button, below.

PAMA, in coordination with generous industry partners, has made available award opportunities for current and future aviation maintenance professionals.

Award winners will be announced at the Aerospace Maintenance Competition awards ceremony, taking place in conjunction with MRO Americas in Dallas on April 30, 2020.

Future AMT Professional Award, provided by PistonPower™ by AEPC™ (AeroEngine Protection Corp.) 

This $1,000 award is provided to current or recent aviation maintenance students. Monetary Awards may be used towards the purchase of tools, tuition or other education-related expenses.

Aviation Mechanic Student Award, provided by JSfirm.com

This $1,500 award is provided to current or recent aviation maintenance students. Monetary Awards may be used towards the purchase of tools, tuition or other education-related expenses.

John and Greg share observations from their recent visit to Boeing headquarters. During executive briefings they asked the same tough questions they pose in their podcasts, sometimes stumping the experts.

They share how the visit validated the observations they have shared about the LionAir and Ethiopian Airline crashes. They also found more details that are important to finding the answers that will lead to increased air safety.

This episode also digs into two Thanksgiving weekend general aviation crashes. John and Greg walk you through their initial observations and provide a detailed explanation of how investigators will determine the causes of both accidents.

​John and Greg explore what was said and what wasn’t said when Boeing executives recently spent two days on Capitol Hill testifying before congress. Their take: the hearings were an emotional platform for congressmen to point fingers, not an opportunity for fact finding.

As always, John and Greg use the podcast format to go deeper than 30 second soundbites. They talk in detail about the questions that need to be asked. They refocus the discussion on the facts of the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) final report.

The narrative that the crash was caused solely by the 737 Max Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) isn’t the whole story. Join John and Greg as they dive into the complex issues that deserve attention.

Listen in at www.flightsafetydetectives.com, or wherever you get your podcasts.

.​FAA Safety Team | Safer Skies Through Education
Notice Number: NOTC9843

The FAA Safety Team is encouraging all female pilots and AMTs who have at least 50 years experience to apply for the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

The safety team will be honoring these amazing women at ceremonies during Sun 'n Fun April 2020 and EAA AirVenture July 2020.  Space is limited so apply early for either event.  Please see the attached document for more information.

For more information on the Master Mechanic Award, visit www.faasafety.gov/content/MasterMechanic.

Texas A&M University - Central Texas (TAMUCT) is considering offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management, which would give aircraft maintainers a pathway to management and leadership positions for career advancement.

TAMUCT has created a short survey to see what the need is nationally, as well as within the state of Texas. The survey is open through Jan. 1. All current maintainers are invited to participate.

It is with sadness PAMA announces the passing of Glenn McCauley, the last of the founding members of PAMA.  He was member #7.
 
Glenn with other aviation luminaries, including William Collister, Meinard Wirtz and Jon, Rivers and Walter Beall, were instrumental in launching PAMA in 1972 with the first board of directors meeting in August of 1973. 
 
He has been a great supporter of the organization and his contributions have had great impact on the aviation maintenance community.
 
Glenn was a Joe Chase Recipient in 1988 for outstanding personal achievement in improving the knowledge, safety, and dignity of the Aircraft Technician. 
 
He later was honored with the Award of Excellence in 1986, PAMA highest award reserved for those individuals or companies who have promoted the tenets of professionalism and integrity on behalf of the Aviation Maintenance Technician, while exemplifying honor and diligence within the aviation community.
 
Glenn Larue McCauley, 84, passed away Sept. 22, 2019. Glenn was born March 7, 1935 in Lock Haven, PA.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elisabeth McCauley, 3 sons and 2 daughters - Steve McCauley (Tammy) Cathy Redmond, Larry McCauley (Karen), Gary McCauley (Lydia) and Susan Muthler; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Glenn was very active in the aviation field. He had his own business, Aero Battery Inc., with two of his sons, Steve and Gary, for 45 years.

Glenn's lifelong generosity continues as his body was donated to science.

A celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, with visitation from 12-2 p.m., and with a 2 p.m. service at the Lunken Airport, the Airmen's Club, 262 Wilmer Ave, Cinti.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Association.
 
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nky/obituary.aspx?n=glenn-larue-mccauley&pid=194136509

The First State Chapter – PAMA is offering Four (4) $1000.00 scholarships to provide financial assistance to an aviation maintenance student who wishes to further his or her career in a College / University or Aviation Trade School.  This Scholarship money will be deposited directly into the winning applicant’s school account to help with the cost of school expenses. Scholarships are available to men and women who meet these requirements: 
 
1. Are enrolled or will be enrolling in an aviation maintenance related course at a College / University or Aviation Trade School. 
2. Submit an application to the First State Chapter – PAMA by December 31, 2019 to the following address: 

First State Chapter – PAMA             
P.O. Box 358                 
Bear, DE  19701

Applications must be returned with the following:  
1. A transcript of your most recent education, if applicable.  
2. A minimum 250-word typed essay on your accomplishments, future education plans and goals in aviation. 
3. The attached 2 page Scholarship Application. 
After December 31, 2019, the Chapter Scholarship board will meet to review the applications and make a decision by January 10, 2020.  At this time, the winner of the scholarship will be notified by phone or email.   
The Chapter will require verification from the school that the student is enrolled in an aviation maintenance related course.  The winning applicant will notify the Chapter of the details of where to send the scholarship money after enrolling.  Any questions, please call John Agnew – Chapter President at 302-983-0042 or email at admin@firststatepama.com.