Panel 2: Boeing, Reliability, and Maintainability

Educator ResponseRaymond Thompson (Western Michigan)

Stephen Ley (Kansas State)

Industry Question

Where does industry see the current quality and flight line readiness of A&Ps coming out of Part 147 schools?

Educator Response

• Each segment of the industry has different needs.

• We agree that the Part 147 minimum curriculum is inadequate for someone to immediately work on complex aircraft.

Industry Comment

“147 is too broad perspective - too broad to add value for complex aircraft.”

“Ultimately depends on goals of individual and type of program selected.“

What is being done about this?

Three major recommendations

• Remove the minimum curriculum subject elements from rule

• Redistribute time to increase instruction in general and airframe

• Increased the curriculum requirements in electronics, human factors, advanced materials, SMS, and more

The Part 147 ARAC submitted recommendations to the FAA in December 2008 with an emphasis on fast-tracking rule change.147 rulemaking prior dropped as a result of Buffalo and the subsequent issues.2011 -- a Part 147 Working Group was established to develop all non-regulatory recommendations.2013 – work continued and draft rule language was refined.2014 – 147 rulemaking was the #1 priority for AFS-300.2015 – the Part 147 NPRM is scheduled for release.

Industry Question What knowledge or skill should be added to existing curricula to support future and existing complex aircraft?

Educator Response

• Additional electronic, avionic and digital system requirements are being added to the 147 minimum curriculum.

• Systems integration is not a specific curriculum topic.

Industry Comment

Digital and BITE systems, integrated systems and how they talk to each other.

Understanding of systems and how they integrate together and communicate is a key success factor.

Industry Question

Would learning corporate (jet) aircraft systems apply to Boeing products?

Educator Response

• It is not possible for a Part 147 program to prepare a graduate to meet every industry need in a reasonable period of time.

• Each type of school plays a different role (or should) in technician preparation.

• Each school may focus its program to a specific market or employer or be more general.

Industry Comment

“Each aircraft is unique and will require specific training. Boeing even has unique maintenance philosophies amongst its models. Airbus is more consistent. “

“Understanding a complex aircraft system is a good idea and will help with other complex aircraft.”

Part 147 Program Types• Certificate-only programs: 15-18 months in length, non-

degree, often private. • Two-year programs: includes the 147 curriculum,

additional coursework to qualify for an associate degree. Typically 24-30 months in length.

• Four-year programs: includes the 147 curriculum, additional coursework to qualify for a baccalaureate degree. Should include an additional focus in a technical area and/or maintenance management including business management.

What is the Role of Accreditation?

5.2.1 Associate Programs

• …The focus of the program MUST be oriented toward a segment of the aviation industry, such as air carriers or general aviation; or toward a specific area, such as electronics, materials, propulsion, or logistics.

What is the Role of Accreditation?5.2.2 Baccalaureate Programs

… It is anticipated that many schools will develop a single aviation maintenance degree program that permits students to select from a variety of course sequences to provide the required breadth and depth of knowledge. These focus areas may be oriented toward a segment of the aviation industry, such as air carriers or general aviation, or toward a specific area, such as electronics, materials, propulsion, or logistics.

What is the Role of Accreditation?

5.2.2 Baccalaureate Programs

Each program MUST provide evidence of a significant culminating upper division experience in aviation maintenance. Examples of a culminating experience include a capstone course, an internship, or a special project that builds on prior course work…

What is the Role of Accreditation?

5.3.2 Baccalaureate ProgramsProgram Criteria for Aviation Electronics• …Graduates MUST be able to apply science and technology to

current problems in the aviation and the aviation electronics industry. The topical content of an Aviation Electronics program will depend on the area of specialization. However, graduates of all specializations MUST demonstrate a basic foundation in the electronics technologies…

What is the Role of Accreditation?• Does AABI need to reconsider the specific program

outcomes?– A four-year should have a greater focus than a

two-year.– Should the culminating experience have greater

specificity?– Avionics seems to assume the basic knowledge is

provided and focuses on the “more”.– Part 147 is not designed (and never will be) to

produce a complex aircraft ready technician.

Industry Question

Does human factors and safety play any factor to maintenance philosophies?

Educator Response

• Human factors has been added to the revised 147 curriculum recommendations.

• Reliability and maintainability concepts have been added to the revised 147 curriculum recommendations.

Industry Comment “Yes. Design engineers have good ideas and designs but lack perspective of maintainer, their accessibility and size of average technician.”

“The goal in today's design is high reliability, quick turn time, maintainability and reduced cost of ops. “

“(The) Chief Mechanic often provides important and useful input to overall maintenance philosophy and aircraft design that supports care ease of maintenance.”

Certification

• In flight, we have a clear-cut path of training• In the US, the A&P certificate is the equivalent of a

commercial pilot certificate– Part 66 AMTT certificate

• In the EASA/JAA environment, the focus is more transport aircraft oriented

Future Certification

• Does the US system need additional mechanic ‘ratings’ or endorsements?

• Who should control this? Government or a set of industry generated and recognized add-ons?– ASNT certification– NCATT certification

Future Certification

• Ultimately, this decision needs driven by industry• How will the mandate for safety to the FAA conflict

with an general industry desire for less regulation?

What is the Future of Maintenance?

• We see a trend towards specialized maintenance facilities (MRO)

• In a US Part 145, maintenance can be done by non-certificated personnel

• Does mechanic certification become a leadership/management certificate?

• Will the current training programs for non-certificated persons become the norm?

Thank Your For Your Attention

Questions?