in-depth repair of black boxes goes to shops that are far away from the aircraft in many cases. The simpler structures and avionics work are what causes todays debate. So, the core question becomes is the basic technical trade training and experience of a M or E licenced AME enough to let them certify less complex off -aircraft work? I believe it is. To repeat, this is not using their M or E licence just recognition of their trade training and experience. There was no interest in expanding the AME licence to other trades such as powerplants, structures, NDT, welding, etc. Even the E and S licence was envisioned to be eliminated by now, as was done with the old P for propellers and the D for powerplants. The objective had been to increase the amount of technical training for the basic M. That has not happened as fast as we had hoped. However, the decision to not remove any privileges from the M licence category is still a sound one in my opinion. The AME system had just undergone a major revision when all the many
categories were removed, and today’s system was put in place.
FUTURE CHALLENGES Great vigilance will be needed by every AME and operator to preserve the basic philosophy of the system which has served aviation well for more than 100 years. Some adjustment will be needed in the guidance material for certifying specialized work. I hope that due consideration will be given to the technical training of the current AME categories if they work in specialized AMOs holding an SCA. I think that less complex equipment testing can be accomplished by such AMEs if they have the appropriate equipment and some level of monitored on the job training. A good approach would be to set aside the types of work in which no real discussion is necessary. NDT/NDI in my mind fi ts that criteria. Then the debate about SCA standards can be held around some of the tasks like ELT testing, transponder checks and simple structural work. Good luck to everyone involved in an important piece of work.
Roger Beebe
is the president of Plane Talk Consulting (www. planetalkconsulting). Prior to establishing Plane Talk Consulting in 2007, Beebe was
employed as regional director, Civil Aviation, Prairie and Northern Region with Transport Canada. Beebe held other positions during his Transport Canada career, including acting director general of Western and Central Region; director, airworthiness; and chief, manufacturing and maintenance for Canada at headquarters in Ottawa, where he was responsible for all maintenance and manufacturing activities and AME licensing. He was involved in approving aircraft maintenance programs for the new aircraft being certifi ed in Canada. Beebe’s civil aviation experience includes
Wardair, based in Edmonton and Toronto and Air Canada, based at Toronto. His aircraft maintenance experience was on the B747, Lockheed L1011, DC-8 series, DC-9 series, Boeing 707 and 727 aircraft. He also worked on the Bristol freighter, DHC-6 twin Otter and the DHC-3 Otter and the Viscount. Beebe served more than six years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, four of those years were with 1 Wing Marville, France, and later at Lahr, Germany, maintaining the CF-104 Starfi ghter aircraft. He serviced many 1960s military aircraft from several allied air forces. Immediately prior to leaving the RCAF, Beebe maintained CF-5 and T33 aircraft for 434 Squadron based at Cold Lake, Alberta. During Beebe’s career, he was involved in many national and international activities relating to aviation. In addition to his technical duties, he was involved in all the activities associated with management and executive responsibilities.
57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
