COVER STORY
will spend $12 billion on Next Gen
and we can and must invest a small
percentage of that money in our
human capital. Going forward, these
people will be responsible to safely
maintain and operate this technology and support our industry.
AMT: Are you seeing any main-
tenance areas or companies where
there is promising job growth?
Cohen: I am going to redirect
that question to Jim Culora, general
manager, Empire Aerospace, one of
our member airlines.
Culora: We see a number of
our Canadian operators expanding
operations by adding additional
ATR aircraft to their fleets. This
will put a few more regional turbo
props in the heavy maintenance
cycle. Empire also sees opportunity
for Bombardier Dash 8 Q-400 work
with several operators adding those
to its fleet both in the United States
and Canada.
AMT: From your perspective, what
are some of the emerging trends in
RAA maintenance operations?
Cohen: Today is all about tablets
and laptops, and managing data
and technology to help manage
maintenance operations, help root
out problems, and manage risk. All
this technology is making maintenance a lot sexier than when people
were just turning wrenches several
years ago. By using maintenance
data and experience, we are making operations more efficient and
much safer.
Culora: We see potential growth
with Nondestructive Testing
(NDT). There have been many new
requirements with the aging aircraft and damage tolerant requirements (DTI) programs. We've seen
Requirements with the aging aircraft and
damage tolerant requirements mean an
increase in the volume of NDT inspections.
an increase in the volume of NDT
inspections and MROs must have
the equipment and trained personnel to deal with these inspections.
AMT: What is your opinion of the
overall level of maintenance currently being performed by regionals?
Cohen: No question, it is topnotch and continues to get better
because our industry is more
mature now and we know how
to react faster and safer. We know
how to do things better and safer —
maintenance continues to improve.
Jim Culora, General Manager,
Empire Aerospace
AMT: Can you comment on the
current market outlook for both
large MROs and for the specialized component MRO activity in
general? Is there work and is more
work anticipated?
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April 2013
Aircraft Maintenance Technology • www.AviationPros.com • www.AMTSociety.org