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www.avm-mag.com Dale Forton President PAMA BIZAV
In your opinion, what is the state of the aviation maintenance industry? Now with almost 60 percent of the aerospace workforce over 50 years old many are starting to retire. This includes many Maintenance professionals. 2011 was the first year for baby boomers to start to retire. Many will be leaving us soon. Fewer students are entering trade schools and many come out and move into different occupations. As an industry we need to recognize these facts. We believe aircraft operational expenses will go up rapidly as experience personnel will become a valued commodity. What were the biggest developments for PAMA in 2012? Holding another regional symposium in Michigan at the beginning of 2012. Announcing the National Symposium in conjunction with Aviation Maintenance magazine’s AVM-Summit USA on November 20-21 2013 in Orlando FL. Being a part of the FAA reversing their legal interpretation of duty time. We completed an interesting survey regarding Mechanic, Technician or Engineer, What would you like to be called? Technician was #1 and Mechanic and Engineer were tied for 2nd. We have added WINGS Financial Credit Union as the official credit union of PAMA. Offering over 70,000 Atm’s, retirement, home finance etc. How has PAMA had to adapt recently to help its members? Just starting on my third year as President I am very happy to see PAMA gaining more and more momentum for its members. Adapting wasn’t the need, it was doing what we say we are going to do per our goals. Getting involved in the industry has allowed PAMA to be an influence, as it should be. So your answer is we are actively engaged with the FAA, Government Accounting Office (GAO), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Aviation Workforce Development (AWD), Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), Multiple news media outlets, Multiple Maintenance publications, Congress and the White House. We share common goals with many other alphabet groups and coming together with many at the AWD and PAMA sponsored Think Tank initiative makes it an unprecedented event. Here are some of the attendees: AEA; AOPA, ARSA, Beechcraft, Boeing, Cirrus, Duncan Aviation, EAA, GAO, Jepessen, MAC, NATCA, NBAA, NCASE, TIMCO, United Airlines, WAI What are the trends, big or small, you are beginning to see in the MRO business? It is interesting in talking with some MRO’s that they are really trying to use their assets to the fullest extent. They need to use 100% of their floor space for 100% of their services. What I mean by that is they have been filling their workspace based on interior, avionics, engine and airframe maintenance. If you require just an engine overhaul and an airframe inspection you may be scheduled after an operator who needs all of their services. One aircraft taking up square footage and completely utilizing the MRO’s services is a smart business practice. It also aids in creating a loyal customer base as they do accommodate regular customers. To see PAMA’s answer to “What do you hear your members say is the biggest concern they have for the future of the MRO business?” go to
www.avm-mag.com
Jim Swehla Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing West Star Aviation BIZAV
In your opinion, what is the state of the aviation maintenance industry? As everyone is aware, the economy and corporate aviation took a major downturn starting in late 2008 and continued into 2009 and 2010. We then saw an upswing in 2011 and 2012 which seems to be gaining momentum. Our pre-buy activity has increased over the past couple of years. It’s obvious that aircraft buyers see the great values available in used aircraft and taking advantage of the aircraft in the used market. As a result we have an increase in interior upgrades, avionics upgrades, and exterior paint work and airframe maintenance. We feel this will continue to strengthen through 2013 and beyond. For the most part, it appears our industry is on the upswing. What were the biggest developments for your company in 2012? The biggest development in 2012 was a noticeable up-tick in business over previous years. While we are seeing signs of the economy strengthening, our customers are very savvy buyers and looking for the best value in aircraft maintenance and modifications. This presents new opportunities linked with new challenges. We as maintenance providers need to think outside the box and provide that same level of high quality but with even more value added. We are reaching out to our customers, OEM’s, vendors and suppliers and brain-storming with them to generate new ideas in providing upscale maintenance and modifications. We have been putting plans in place to expand at two of our locations with a new paint facility at one location and a new maintenance hangar at a second location. We hope to break ground on these new hangar complexes in late spring to early summer 2013. What are the biggest changes you have seen in the MRO industry in the last several years? One of the most important aspects of our business, and in the industry as a whole, is employees. With the growth of our business it is imperative that we hire the best people possible. However, the fact is that fewer and fewer people are entering the industry as technicians, and it can be a struggle to find highly qualified professional people. In discussion with other aircraft maintenance organizations, I have learned that they are having the same issues, finding key people. If this continues, it will definitely have a negative effect in our industry. What did your company do in 2012 to adapt to changes in the market? With the extreme down-turn that we experienced in 2009 followed by a very slow recovery, we make any changes with great caution. At West Star we made strategic changes in our staffing, teaming with partners, growth into new markets, capital expenditures, etc. We are cautiously growing our business at a strategic pace so that we don’t find ourselves at a point that we have more capacity than the market demands. We are able to accomplish these changes through our flexibility of sharing qualified people between our six-locations. For more of Jim Swehla’s answers go to
www.avm-mag.com
46 Aviation Maintenance |
avm-mag.com | April 2013
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