FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR


PUBLISHER Brig Bearden


brig@rotorcraftpro.com


EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lyn Burks


lyn.burks@rotorcraftpro.com


CREATIVE DIRECTOR / PHOTOGRAPHER Dana Maxfield


dana@rotorcraftpro.com


MANAGER, ONLINE ACCOUNTS Lynnette Burks


lynnette.burks@rotorcraftpro.com COPY EDITOR


Rick Weatherford rick@rotorcraftpro.com


NEW AGE FOR MAINTENANCE Several times per year we pay hom-


age to those who maintain our industry and keep it going—the dedicated compa- nies and workers who support our heli- copters. As a pilot, I appreciate the mechanics I work with as much as—and sometimes more than—the physical heli- copters I fly. My flying skills used to complete the mission are pretty much use- less without their maintenance skills to keep the helicopter in flying condition. The fine art of turning wrenches is


changing in this age. How you embrace that change determines if you think it's getting more or less complicated to get the job done. As the sun sets on the day of the computer-illiterate mechanic, technologi- cal advances revolutionize how mechan- ics perform virtually every task. From recordkeeping to recurrent training, from aircraft maintenance manuals to ordering parts, the modern day helicopter mechan- ic is interfacing with technology daily. Most OEMs and MROs are using online customer portals, giving instant access to inventories and ordering processes. Recently, the flying side of the heli-


copter industry (specifically Part 135 HEMS) has been under increased regula-


tory scrutiny and influence. The mainte- nance side of the house has also not escaped attention. Just a couple of weeks ago at Heli-Expo 2014, the NTSB issued safety alert SA-032 addressing mainte- nance procedures. Citing several maintenance-related


accidents, SA-032 urges improvements in mechanic training, use of work cards for documenting completed maintenance steps, independent inspection of critical maintenance items, verifying all work is done in accordance with OEM proce- dures, and reviewing training materials regarding human performance errors brought on by fatigue, pressure, and com- pany procedures. Rotorcraft Pro tips its hat in recogni-


tion of all the skilled, hardworking main- tainers in the industry that keep our rotors turning! As tribute, inside this issue we highlight All American Aviation and one of its supporting business partners, Precision Heliparts.


Fly Safe!


Lyn Burks, Editor In Chief


MEMBER


SOCIAL MEDIA GURU Jon Lash


CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Pam Fulmer


pam@rotorcraftpro.com CO-FOUNDERS


Clay Branum / Rick Weatherford CONTRIBUTING WRITERS


Rick Adams James Careless


Steve Goldsworthy Caterina Hessler Matt Johnson


Rotorcraft Pro®


Randy Mains Brad McNally Tim Pruitt


Randy Rowles Scott Skola


is published twelve times a year and


mailed out on or around the 5th of the month being covered by Oak Mountain Media, LLC, P.O. Box 1505, Pelham, Alabama 35124. Rotorcraft Pro®


is distributed free to


qualified subscribers. Non-qualified subscription rates are $57.00 per year in the U.S. and Canada and $125.00 per year for foreign subscribers (surface mail). U.S. Postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama and additional mail- ing offices. Publisher is not liable for all content (including editorial


and illustrations provided by advertisers) of advertisements published and does not accept responsibility for any claims made against the publisher. It is the advertiser’s or agency’s responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on any item or individuals pictured in an advertisement. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher.


SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES: pam@rotorcraftpro.com or 1-877-768-5550 Ext. 1


POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Oak Mountain Media, LLC, P.O. Box 1505, Pelham, Alabama 35124


CORPORATE OFFICERS


Brig Bearden / COO • Lyn Burks / CEO Mailing Address


P.O. Box 1505, Pelham, Alabama 35124


Toll Free: 877.768.5550 Fax: 561.424.8036 www.rotorcraftpro.com


2 March 2014


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