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. 

Pilot training and confidence is everything when it comes to safety in the air according to this week’s guest, Captain Chinar Shah. She’s a professional pilot, flying for more than 19 years,13 as a pilot in the airline ranks including a number of months in the Boeing 737 Max.  
 
Shah used to fly for Jet Airways in India. She converted her license in the U.S. with the FAA and she has seen all sides of training in the United States and worldwide. 
 
In this week’s episode, Shah and the Flight Safety Detectives talk about the training, confidence, knowledge, steel nerves and experience it takes to be the best of the best. According to Shah, pilots need to know what “The Normal” is in the air so when there is an extraordinary dangerous situation, the pilot knows immediately what is wrong and how to correct it.
 
She says, “The concern here is the reaction to the malfunction, rather than the malfunction itself....You can’t have a complete power outage, for example, with only three minutes to land and not know what to do.”   
 
The culture of a country, the training and the airline may play a part in the way pilots react. Will a relatively new first officer with only 1,500 hours in the air comment on and help correct a mistake made in the cockpit by an experienced captain with more than 20,000 hours? She says, “There are times when I’ve seen people be completely submissive.”  
 
Shah has a deep respect for all of the professionals who inspect, repair and approve an aircraft before it takes to the air. She says, “I’ve always had great rapport with engineers and mechanics and they always teach you a thing or two about the airplane. Sure, it’s always the PIC (Pilot in Charge) who says whether the plane goes but it’s a collective decision.”
 
Shah started her flying in general aviation in India. She says that introduced her to a system she says might inhibit the growth of decision making skills because it is so restrictive. “[Overseas] they are very reluctant to let you go solo…In my opinion, that does hamper your growth as a pilot - your decision making.  In many parts of the world, you have someone telling you ‘do this, do that.’”