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Nicole Dyehouse of the aviation maintenance consulting firm planeKrafty interviews John Goglia about the history of the Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC). It hasn’t all been smooth flying since John founded the competition in 2014, but it continues to grow in size and impact.
The AMC started as a small volunteer effort and has evolved into a major international competition supported by airlines, industry sponsors, and volunteers. Hear about plans for further expansion to additional U.S. and international events in 2027. The conversation covers mentorship, ethical decision-making, and technicians being willing to resist pressure to cut corners or ignore regulations. Nicole shares an early-career experience where she refused to improperly repair an out-of-tolerance aircraft component, emphasizing the importance of training and personal accountability. Maintenance organizations can improve safety by analyzing trends and tailoring training to technicians’ weaknesses and skill gaps. Greater public awareness of the many professionals involved in keeping aircraft safe increases trust in aviation safety.
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  New York City eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft test flights and global commercialization efforts are making headlines. Special guest Mike Borfitz, CEO of Kilroy Aviation and a safety certification engineer with more than 40 years of experience, explores critical technical challenges including battery limitations and software integration.
Mike, Todd Curtis, and John Goglia address regulatory hurdles, safety concerns, and urban integration challenges. They discuss the unrealistic market expectations being promoted by manufacturers. Mike predicts that accidents involving these aircraft are inevitable. Ground-based air traffic management will be essential for safe operations in crowded urban airspace. Emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) transportation revolution will likely succeed, but not in the way some companies in this sector are promising. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially reopened the Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant Program, restoring vital access to federal funding after a lengthy administrative pause. This highly anticipated decision comes as part of a broader $26 million aviation workforce announcement, answering persistent calls from industry groups and lawmakers to revive the program. Initially introduced as a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in early 2025, the application process was temporarily halted for a comprehensive federal review. Now fully restored, the program provides a critical financial runway for organizations dedicated to expanding, training, and strengthening the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals.
For PAMA members and industry stakeholders, this reopened program represents a powerful opportunity to secure funding for both new and existing workforce initiatives. The grants are specifically designed to support targeted efforts in technician recruitment, educational curriculum development, community outreach, apprenticeships, and hands-on internships. Organizations looking to leverage this federal support must act quickly, as the firm deadline for applications is June 22, 2026. To explore eligibility requirements and prepare your submission, please review the official Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers NOFO and application details today.  Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss the details in the NTSB preliminary accident report about the March 22, 2026 fatal collision between an Air Canada Jazz regional jet and a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport. The preliminary report offers a detailed timeline of the key events in the minutes before the accident.
The airliner struck a fire truck that was leading six other emergency vehicles across an active runway to deal with an emergency situation. The fire truck had been cleared to cross the runway. Shortly before the truck entered the runway, a controller ordered the fire truck to stop, but the truck entered the runway and collided with the airliner. John has four key questions that he wants the NTSB to address in the final report:
Steve Poiani, FAA-certificated A&P mechanic, former U.S. Air Force aircraft maintainer, FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, and doctoral candidate in Aviation with a specialization in Human Factors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is conducting an IRB-approved research study examining how Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) describe decision-making during troubleshooting, inspections, and repairs in Part 121 and Part 135 operations.
With nearly 40 years of aircraft maintenance and aviation safety experience, Steve’s research focuses on understanding the operational and cognitive factors that influence real-world maintenance decision-making. The study is seeking currently employed Part 121 and Part 135 AMTs who: • Are at least 18 years old • Have a minimum of one year of aircraft maintenance experience Participation involves one confidential 60 to 75 minute virtual or phone interview discussing decision-making in real-world maintenance experiences. No proprietary, sensitive, or classified information will be requested. Participation is voluntary and confidential. This research is conducted solely in an academic capacity and is not affiliated with or conducted on behalf of the FAA. To learn more or volunteer to participate, please contact: Steve Poiani at [email protected] https://sites.google.com/view/aircraftmaintenancestudy/home  In this recording of April’s livestream, Todd Curtis and John Goglia focus on all things related to aviation mechanics. John and Todd just completed their participation at the latest AMC MRO maintenance competition and they share the unique perspectives on the past, present and future of A&P mechanics.
👉 Hear what more than 500 competitors from across the globe achieved at the 2026 Aerospace Maintenance Council competition. 👉 Understand how the current shortage will impact everyone from the largest airlines to general aviation pilots. 👉 Hiring! A&P mechanic skills are valued in aviation and many other industries. John and Todd also have an update on the recent accident at LaGuardia airport. The focus is on the roles played by air traffic controllers and transponders for managing ground traffic. Flight Safety Detective channel members participated live and had questions about Air India 171 and much more! Join one of our favorite events of the year — the South Texas PAMA Crawfish Bash & Family Day.
This year, instead of participating in the Texas City “Big Crawfish Bash,” we’ve decided to host our own event — built specifically for the South Texas aviation community and our families. The goal is simple: create a better, more personal experience where we can all connect, relax, and enjoy the day together. 📅 Date: Saturday, May 30 ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM 📍 Location: North Shore Rotary Pavilion 14350 1/2 Wallisville Rd Houston, TX 77049 What to Expect
This event is free for South Texas aviation professionals and their families — just make sure to RSVP so we can plan accordingly. 👉 RSVP here: https://forms.gle/MMFPXvsxuz4Hq4Td6 Please RSVP by May 25 Cornhole Tournament
Sponsors We’ll have a limited number of sponsor opportunities available for those who want to help cover costs. If you’re interested, just reach out to me directly and I’ll get you the details. This isn’t a fundraiser — it’s a chance to bring the aviation community together, spend time with our families, and enjoy a great day. Hope to see you out there. Best Regards, Chad M. Tew STX PAMA Board Chair  Todd Curtis and John Goglia did some digging beyond the official investigation of the tragic March 22, 2026 collision at LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada regional jet and an airport fire truck operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
This incident raises serious questions about airport ground safety—and what they have found may surprise you. John digs into critical factors that could have contributed to the accident, including: – Why the fire truck may not have been visible on radar – How the lack of a transponder on emergency vehicles can create blind spots – Whether runway lighting and visibility played a role – The potential impact of color vision on interpreting critical warning signals Despite having ground surveillance systems in place, air traffic controllers reportedly saw only two targets instead of seven separate vehicles. So what went wrong? Could something as simple as visibility—or even color perception—have made the difference between a safe crossing and a fatal mistake? This is a must-watch breakdown for pilots, aviation professionals, and anyone interested in how complex systems can fail under pressure. 👉 Watch now to understand the hidden risks on the runway—and what this accident could mean for the future of airport safety. |
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