Aircraft Maintenance Technology

NOV-DEC 2017

The aircraft maintenance professional's source for technological advancements, maintenance alerts, news, articles, events, and careers

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30 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY A s a child Matthew Ackroyd was always into engineering, taking things apart and rebuilding them, making tools and experimenting. He was exposed to aviation through his family and was always fascinated with how helicopters were put together and how they flew. This spurred him into his first job as an apprentice machinist for Turbomeca UK (Safran UK). From there he joined the Royal Navy where he experienced many engineering chal- lenges and problems to solve. This has continued to drive him in his understanding and motivation of aviation. Advanced training includes a diploma in aeronautical engineer- ing (avionics), front line managers training, senior leadership program, project management qualification (IPMA level D), and systems engineering thinking and management. After serving in HM Royal Navy, he worked as a support team leader at Serco Ltd., and joined Vector Aerospace in 2008. His roles at Vector Aerospace included avionics technician/supervi- sor; avionics supervisor flight test/deputy front line manager; design and modifications engineer; and he is currently project manager for aviation services. Nominated by Alex Youngs, vice president, Strategy & Analysis, Vector Aerospace: "In 2014, Matt was appointed design and modi- fications project engineer, managing the technical aspects of assigned projects across civil and military aircraft modifications. Over the next two years, Matt delivered a complex £10M avionics integration project for Lockheed Martin on time and on bud- get, as part of the UK MoD's Crowsnest program. Matt also received a personal commendation from Thales in recognition of his central role in a military avionics trial demonstration project valued at over £20M. In January 2016, Matt was selected from over 1,500 Vector employees to attend a 12-month senior leadership program, in recognition of his outstanding service with the company. Since October 2016, Matt has served as project manager with Vector's Aviation Services Business Unit. Matt's unique skillset encompasses deep techni- cal and management capabilities across the civil and military MRO markets." Ackroyd gives back to the industry "by trying to empower those around me to achieve their full potential and unlock the blockages in their way. I use my knowledge and experience to help those around me make decisions based on informed views and information." Although Ackroyd has stepped out of engineering, he would like to remain directly connected to the product. He would like to go on to become a chartered project manager/program director. MATTHEW ACKROYD Project Manager for Aviation Services, 36, Vector Aerospace, Gosport, UK KATIE GRAY Technical Supervisor, 27, Ecureuil Dynamic Components, Vector Aerospace, Perth, UK K atie Gray loved the technical/science subjects she studied at school and knew she wanted a career in this sector. The impact engineering can have on the way we live our lives captivated her. Gray attended Perth College UHI acquiring: SVQ Performing Engineering Operations, SVQ Aeronautical engineering for com- ponent overhaul, and HNC engineering systems training. Currently she is technical supervisor of Ecureuil Dynamic Components. She received Airbus training for the new Ecureuil dynamic components and provided technical assistance through- out the introductory project. She was responsible for workshop layout, equipment requirements, and associate training. She assists in the development of monthly revenue targets and is responsible for managing resources/equipment to achieve these targets. She is a Part 145 certifying staff and lead final inspector for Ecureuil Components, and the subject matter expert for enterprise resource planning (ERP) system at Almondbank, Perth, UK. Nominated by Alex Youngs, vice president, Strategy & Analysis, Vector Aerospace: "Over and above her day-to-day responsibilities, Katie was also proactively involved in the training and mentoring of apprentices at Vector's Almondbank location, as well as serving on the company's 'Improving Quality' steering group, key influ- encers and continuous improvement team. Katie also served as an operations super user responsible for assist- ing with the implementation of a new ERP system at Almondbank. Katie's responsibili- ties include liaising with Vector's supply chain, technical support, and quality teams to ensure all required inputs are carried out to aid production, as well as coordinat- ing with Vector's customer support representative and Airbus itself to ensure that all customer demands are satisfied. Katie is also responsible for driving continuous improvement within the Ecureuil team. Katie is an Apprentice Steering Group member, and also volunteers at STEM (science, technology engineering and math) events, working with schoolchildren in engineering- related activities. Katie's professional achievements were recog- nized earlier this year, when she was named Technician of the Year at the 2017 Semta Skills Awards, becoming the first Vector representative to be short-listed for this award." Gray likes to encourage young people to consider a career in engineering, especially young women. "There are still many young women who do not realize they can have a successful career in engineering and aviation," she says. As for the future, Gray wants to continue learning new skills, while improving and developing her existing knowledge.

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