Qantas’ Post

✈️ The Aviation Mechanic Shortage: A Critical Challenge for the Industry The aviation industry is facing a pressing challenge—a severe shortage of mechanics. According to FLYING Magazine, the number of FAA-certified mechanics has remained stagnant, despite the growing demand for aircraft maintenance. With an aging workforce and fewer young professionals entering the field, the shortage is expected to escalate, potentially impacting operational efficiency and innovation. This issue isn’t just about numbers; it’s about expertise. The average age of mechanics is over 50, meaning a wave of retirements looms. Meanwhile, training programs struggle to attract and graduate enough students to meet the demand. This challenge affects everyone in aviation—from airlines and OEMs to passengers. 💡 How can the industry better address this skills gap? More investment in education, apprenticeships, or even automation? Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/d4JWFjMT

Here’s a hot take I’ll share anyway: Part 147 needs a big overhaul to: A) allow students to tailor their training to part 23/25/27, or structures/recip/turbine/avionics, etc., and get through in under 2 years if they don’t need the whole A&P right now, and B) make sure that what’s in place meets the needs of our country’s aviation industries, and get them technicians with the right training and skills in as timely a manner as can be safely done, and C) fit in with an also-updated approach to the terribly underused apprenticeship option. My employees don’t work on planes with reciprocating piston engines. That half of their Powerplant certificate is wasted on most commercial aviation right now. Someone working on part 23 aircraft needs that. Very few A&Ps have any use for the info on part 27 rotorcraft. And so on. I had schoolmates who worked on turboprop and turbofan engine overhauls and repairs at a part 145. Just the already-demounted engines. 3/4 of what they learned in the part 147 was inapplicable. Will they maybe want that other stuff down the road? Does it make you more marketable? Sure, yes. But we’ve got an industry that’s supposedly facing a global shortage in the tens or hundreds of thousands of technicians over the next decade or two. That extra time in school is a barrier for some prospective students. One of them lives with me and already knows what the business is because she’s worked “unlicensed” before. She just can’t spend 2 years in school full time, so she’s unavailable to help meet the business’s needs. We’ve got to change how we bring people into “licensed” AMT work.

Iam interested with apprentice program

This is what EASA member Justin Hatfield CRL, CMRP of HECO says about the Electromechanical Repair Technician (ERT) Program: "The ERT program has already become a crucial part of our training program. Although we have a formal US DOL-approved apprenticeship program, the ERT supplemented our classroom training without requiring us to develop the content ourselves. The cost EASA charges for this is virtually nothing compared to what we would have spent to develop the program ourselves. This is just another great example of EASA value! Learn more at easa.com/training/ert.

As today is A level results day, and next week is GCSE results day, I thought to share my results back in 2017 to show that grades doesn’t always determine your future. I will admit that my academics wasn’t the greatest during high school, and a lot of my classmates (including a few teachers) thought I wouldn’t go into a great career. It certainly wasn’t easy hearing these sort of words, but once high school finished, the change in me began. Aviation was something that interested me from a young age, and always loved travelling to the airport. However, with my grades in high school, it made me think whether I’d able to reach this industry and make a career out of it. Nevertheless, I pursued onwards, and went to West Herts College in 2018 to study BTEC Level 3 engineering and achieved D*DD. Afterwards, I went to Kingston University via Cardiff and Vale College/ICAT in 2020 to study BEng Aircraft Engineering, only to achieve a First Class Honours. The very next day after my graduation ceremony in 2023, I get a call from a company called LUFTAVIA for an interview for the role of Aircraft Mechanic at Heathrow Airport; where I’d be working with major airlines like Etihad, Saudia, Malaysia Airlines, Gulf Air, to name a few. Fast forward to present day, I am working as an aircraft mechanic for one of the largest conglomerates within the aviation industry, Air France-KLM. To quickly conclude, never let grades shape your future because a plan B is always available if you dedicate that dream goal to your absolute best. #alevels #gcse #university #resultsday #motivation #perseverance #determination #aviation #academics #grades #positivity

I am an instructor requested for A&P certificate holders which we produce very little of because of attrition and the lengthy curriculum set by authority. A suggestion is for 145,135,121 organizations to partner with local secondary and A&P school to have apprenticeship route to obtain A&P certificate solution short term. More important is for operators/stakeholders participate with the local ARAC (Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee) to plan for an adequate transition to simplify 147 requirements to facilitate a more apprenticeship base type of certification process. This is already a proven method in the EU. Understandably not free of barriers brought by cultural and languistic variations of the member nations. The US, a leader in industry grow at average of about 4% may seem insignificant. But this number translates into unrealistic demands for pilots and maintenance staff which is unsustainable. Pilotless flight is unviable as the FAA struggles with airspace issues with drone and UAMs together with modernization efforts. Unfortunately, 14 CFR 147 is neglected as it seems perception that is has no consequential risk directing A&P schools to further irrelevance.

Aerospace company Airframe Designs Limited has used its apprentices to develop a project on WWII Spitfire aircraft, using company technology. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eNn8Wny6 #manufacturing #engineering #logistics

I am excited to share my progress at the Nigerian Airforce Rotary Wing's helicopter hangar! 🚁 Here’s a recap of what I was involved in my first two weeks: 🛠️Maintenance tasks: Under supervision, I helped replace a faulty fuel transfer pump with a new one. After testing, we noticed it wasn’t transferring fuel properly, leading to troubleshooting. We eventually discovered that a hose was missing, which I participated in fixing. Also participated in the changing of the Fuel Control unit in the turboshaft engines of the Super Puma Helicopter. 🔍Routine safety checks: I took part in the weekly FOD (Foreign Object Debris) picking routine—an essential process for maintaining flight safety. 📚Hybrid learning sessions: I attended well taught and supervised practical class on Introduction to aircraft, covering their classifications, components and controls which further broadened my technical knowledge. ⏳Operational exposure: I witnessed the preparation of a helicopter for operation and observed its ground running process—fascinating to see up close! 🦺Technical tasks: With guidance, I assisted in loosening and tightening nuts and screws on the cabin floor panels of two helicopters, learning the importance of precision in technical work. 💡New skills: I learned wire locking, a critical skill in securing components in aviation, all while being closely supervised to ensure accuracy. 📖Courses: I completed an Aircraft Maintenance Safety Course focused on general flight safety and also attended a 5-day 'Health and Safety in the Workplace' course. This internship has been a tremendous learning experience with excellent guidance throughout. I’m excited to continue growing and gaining more hands-on skills! #internship #aviation #engineeringinternship #helicoptermaintenance #aviationsafety #learningandgrowth"

Qantas has opened its own training academy as it plans to hire 200 engineers a year due to new aircraft needing more maintenance because they are less durable. Details: https://bit.ly/4hoKyZA

The Qantas Engineering Academy started today at Aviation Australia. This partnership, between Qantas and Aviation Australia, is a pivotal step towards building a resilient and diverse aviation workforce, ensuring Australia remains a leader in the aviation industry. This Academy will deliver an immersive learning experience, setting up students to lead us into the future of aviation. #AviationAustralia #aircraftmaintenance #QantasEngineeringAcademy #CASA #Aviationtraining #AircraftMaintenanceEngineer #TrainingInnovation