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The Grapevine 2017 Issue 2
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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF AMFA — JUNE 2017
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AMFA National Office Relocation
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We are pleased to announce that the AMFA National Office will be relocating effective July 1, 2017. Our new address is 7853 East Arapahoe Court, Suite 1100, Centennial, CO 80112.
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The new office is located in the Denver Technological Center (DTC), a business and economic trading center located in the Denver Metropolitan Area, and is approximately 30 miles from Denver International Airport. The new office space is comparable in size to our old office and has accommodations for Association meetings and training. With this move also comes more restaurant and hotel options in walking distance for meeting and training attendees.
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Responsibility and Duty as A&P Certified Professionals
AMFA has recently learned that some Southwest Airlines management personnel have discouraged (possibly intimidated) AMTs from documenting discrepancies that were discovered as a result of performing required maintenance inspections. All airline AMTs are required to document any discrepancy that they find, as stated in FAR 121.701(a):
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"Each person who takes action in the case of a reported or observed failure or malfunction of an airframe, engine, propeller, or appliance that is critical to the safety of flight shall make, or have made, a record of that action in the airplane's maintenance log."
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Safety is always going to be the top priority as evidenced by AMFA’s motto, “Safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground;” however, there is great concern in that schedule may be placed above safety in priorities within the ranks of management. AMFA AMTs are among the best in the industry and should not be diminished via increased oversight. Each AMT in the United States of America has the grave responsibility to ensure the safety of the flying public is protected to the best of their abilities.
Heat Stress Awareness
Warmer temperatures are starting to join us. Please stay aware that hydration is crucial to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stress. Some signs of this can be headaches, dizziness, excessive thirst, muscle cramps, and nausea. Please watch for any signs that may be exhibited by your co-workers, as often the signs are not self-recognized. Retreat to air conditioned rooms for breaks and rest periods if you feel the onset of any of these signs.
Effective Communication
Effective communication begins with you. Never hesitate to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one that is never asked. Questions are one method to gain knowledge. At the end of a shift, going home is often the biggest distraction to giving a good turn-over to the on-coming shift. Stay focused on the task in front of you. Ensure that all paperwork is current on its sign-offs, parts tags are properly filled out, and that you are available to the on-coming shift to answer any questions they may have for you.
Aviation Safety Action Program
Mistakes happen and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognizes this fact. That is why the FAA, our airlines, and AMFA formed a safety partnership – Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). The goal of ASAP is to prevent accidents/incidents by encouraging voluntary reporting when mistakes happen that may violate Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). All AMTs at Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines are eligible to participate in ASAP if the need arises. The alleged mistake must not involve any illegal activity and must not involve a willful disregard for safety.
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2017 AMFA Scholarship Recipients
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National Director Bret Oestreich, Dylan Jordan, National Secretary/Treasurer Jay Johnson
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From left to right: Jeff Davis, National Safety & Standards Director Scott King, National Director Bret Oestreich, Coryn Porter, National Secretary/Treasurer Jay Johnson
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AMFA National awarded two scholarships in 2017. Each applicant had to be currently enrolled in a school to gain their Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license, had to be a US Citizen, and were required to submit an application including a 500-word essay expressing why they chose aircraft maintenance as a career.
The National Executive Counsel reviewed all the applicants and selected Dylan Jordan from Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Broomfield, CO and Coryn Porter from Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida as the two $2500 AMFA Scholarship Recipients for 2017. National Officers presented Dylan and Coryn with a plaque and scholarship at their respective school in April 2017, and they were also announced during the Aerospace Maintenance Competition in Orlando, FL.
Dylan Jordan’s aviation path started while skydiving and volunteering his time at Drop Zone where he pushed a King Air and Otter every day. He had dreams of a career in aviation, but it seemed unreachable until he stumbled across the Redstone College website. He took a leap and enrolled at Redstone College, now Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, and is currently a straight “A” student. Dylan is motivated and inspired to be a part of the advancements in this ever-growing industry.
Coryn Porter joined the Civil Air Patrol as a sophomore in high school to gain flight experience. She soon realized that a career in aviation was her passion. Coryn has now become a Cadet Officer and is involved in the honor guard, emergency services, and model rocketry. She is the past President of the Appalachia Service Project, Treasurer of the Embry-Riddle Redeemers Restoration Club, and Communications Officer of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Coryn is the Cadet of the Year for the Civil Air Patrol Westchester Cadet Squadron One, and she has been awarded one of two summer internships in corporate aviation. After graduating, Coryn wants to enlist in the United States Air Force to become Thunderbird pilot.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients, and thank you to all who submitted applications. It is inspiring to get a glimpse at the goals, passion, and quality of the next generation of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians.
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2017 Aerospace Maintenance Competition
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Team ASA SEA with their Awards
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The 2017 Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) was held in Orlando, FL during the MRO Americas Event at the Orange County Convention Center. Fifty-one, five-person teams of professionals and students from eight countries competed in 26 events that tested the knowledge and skill required to maintain aircraft and spacecraft.
“The premise for the AMC is not to promote one group of professionals or students over another group but rather to raise the level of awareness of the knowledge, skill and integrity required of today’s aviation maintenance professional,” stated the AMC President and former National Transportation Safety Board member John Goglia. “Each competitor is the ‘best of the best’ because they were all hand-picked by their respective company/organization; the competition therefore utilized our best and brightest to promote career opportunities in aerospace.”
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AMFA is proud of the knowledge, skill, and integrity displayed by our members during this event. They competed fierce and with professionalism. The three teams composed of AMFA members are:
Alaska Airlines ANC: David Boyce, Nate Coats, Eben Fiorentino, Nicholas McKay, Tom Cook, Randy Ahrens, and Steve Wixon
Alaska Airlines SEA: Mike Flowers, TJ Spring, Brandon Statfield, Marty Hitt, Vishal Prasad, Chris Dancik, and Chris Worley
AMFA Local 11: Tom Zollars, Will Watson, Josh Beavers, Chris Carlson, and Kerrie Browers
Judges for events from Alaska Airlines: Bob Long, Ken Pitt, Duane Bailey, Ernest Yeun
Competitors had 15 minutes to complete events such as electrical troubleshooting, composite repair, turbine engine troubleshooting, structure repair, nondestructive testing, and written exams testing knowledge on history, human factors, and weight and balance. Prizes were given to the top team from each event and top three from each category.
School Category 1st Place: Indian Hills Community College; 2nd Place: Aviation Institute of Maintenance; 3rd Place: Utah State
Commercial Aviation Category 1st Place: United Airlines Team CLE; 2nd Place: Alaska Airlines Team Seattle; 3rd Place: FedEx
MRO/OEM Category 1st Place: Boeing; 2nd Place: Flybe; 3rd Place: HAECO
Military Category 1st Place: USCG Clearwater Air Station; 2nd Place: Team Apache; 3rd Place: US Army
General Aviation Category 1st Place: Flexjet
Space Category 1st Place: Virgin Galactic
International Team Category 1st Place: Jetstar Airlines; 2nd Place: Flybe Airlines; 3rd Place: Qantas Airlines
Charles E.Taylor Professional AMT Award: Chris Chido, Team Apache
Charles E. Taylor AMT Student Award: Shayna Newman, West LA College
Also in attendance were AMFA National Director Bret Oesterich, National Secretary/Treasurer Jay Johnson, National Safety and Standards Director Scott King, Region II Director Will Abbott, and Local 11 President Dale Dixon. We would also like to extend special thanks to Alaska Airlines Vice President Maintenance and Engineering Kurt Kinder for his support of our members.
AMFA National was honored to contribute as a Corporate Sponsor of the event, and we are proud of the professionalism exhibited by all participants.
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Know your AMFA Number?
There’s an App for That
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AMFA has a mobile device app for its members. Available for both Android and Apple tablets and phones, the app is a quick link to the latest news and information from your Union. With built in GrievTrac access, the app also gives our contract representatives private access to file grievances on behalf of our members.
In addition to being a great tool to get Association news, the AMFA app is a quick and easy way for members to access their AMFA Number. The AMFA app is only available for download from the AMFA National Website; it is not found on iTunes.
Download your copy today at: http://apps.unionactive.com/clients/amfa/amfa.html
If you are unable to download the AMFA App and do not have your AMFA Number, please register with the AMFA National Website and/or request a replacement membership card today. Your AMFA Number is required to participate in Association elections, referenda, surveys, and conference calls.
If you encounter problems registering with the site or downloading the app, contact the AMFA National Office for assistance.
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The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft oriented, independent aviation union. It is not an industrial union and represents only airline technicians and related employees in the craft or class in accordance with the National Mediation Board Rules and their dictates. AMFA is committed to elevating the professional standing of technicians and to achieving progressive improvements in the wages, benefits, and working conditions of the skilled craftsmen and women it represents. ( see our brochure)
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