Aviation Electronics vs. Maintenance

As aircraft become more and more high tech, the lines between an avionics technician and an aircraft mechanic are blending together. This needs to be addressed in the training curriculum for new mechanics as technology, innovation and aircraft become more electronic.

In recognizing this, the FAA has an NPRM that proposes to amend the regulations governing the curriculum and operations of FAA- certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools. The NPRM states, “These amendments would modernize and reorganize the required curriculum subjects in the appendices of the current regulations. They would also remove the course content items currently located in the appendices and require that they be placed in each school’s operations specifications so they could more easily be amended when necessary. The amendments are needed because the existing curriculums are outdated, do not meet current industry needs, and can be changed only through notice and comment rulemaking. These amendments would ensure that aviation maintenance technician students receive up-to-date foundational training to meet the demanding and consistently changing needs of the aviation industry.”

Initially, the comments were to close at the end of 2015 but the deadline for comments has been extended to February 1, 2016. So there is still time to get your comments in for consideration and who better to comment than those of you in the daily fight? Please, share your knowledge and expertise by commenting on this proposed rule change and don’t forget to thank Aviation Technical Education Council (ATEC), Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), Airlines for America (A4A), Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), Modification And Replacement Parts Association (MARPA), National Air Carrier Association (NACA) and other industry groups for petitioning to get that comment period extended.

Here at Aviation Maintenance, we are embracing these realities as well. You may have noticed over the course of the last year that we added a new section for avionics and aircraft electronics news. We are also publishing an aviation electronics eNewsletter in addition to our regular Aviation Maintenance eNews.

Furthermore, our parent company, Aerospace and Security Media, launched an aviation electronics event held in Munich, Germany last year. The event was a success and is being held again in Munich on April 20-21, 2016. Refer to pages 18-23 in this issue for the conference agenda, training and speaker information. More information and registration can be found here http://www.ae-expo.eu/. Please consider attending to keep your knowledge of the future of avionics up to date. We believe this is the future and the blending of maintenance and electronics will only surge ahead.

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