The current issue of Aviation Maintenance magazine points to two daily concerns around aircraft maintenance.  By far, the biggest issue is an impending shortage of qualified and skilled technicians for MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul).   Some believe that shortage begins to hit home this year when the industry could see between 12-18 thousand positions short of demand.

The second issue the magazine probes are challenges around APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) maintenance, a strategic aircraft system that demands detailed maintenance while trying

to keep air fleets in operation. While SAS is hardly at the forefront of these issues, they do impact our business and maybe, we can have a small part in the solutions.

The shortage of skilled technicians (which some suggest could grow to 27% of the workforce) comes about for 3 key reasons.

1. Retirements of baby-boomers
2. Expansion in the airline industry (fleets and schedules are growing)
3. Lack of both the “mindset” and capacity for training technicians.

According to the Aviation Technician Education Council, skilled technicians have grown old and about 30% are close to retirement age.  They say aircraft mechanics are 51 years old on average and more than a quarter of them are already 64.

There is a strong demand, with promising opportunities for young people willing to come into the aircraft maintenance field.  But as authors point out, some of the positives of that have been discounted by the cultural fixation on a college degree vs. technical training.    Fighting that bias, and building the schools needed to train those future technicians will be a challenge.

As for retaining aging mechanics on the job, one of the major solutions airlines can provide is creating the best possible workplace conditions.   That means technical and other tools that make job easier, reduce strain and lifting, and eliminate wear and tear on mechanics.

SAS has a role in that solution by engineering and providing work stands that are ergonomically designed, with high attention to safety and functionality.   A good example of that is our new line of Wi-FI access stands which maximize safety and minimize “lifting”.

The second issue Aviation Maintenance highlights in their publication is the ongoing demand for APU repair and overhaul.  This important equipment requires regular and routinely scheduled maintenance that is essential for airlines to keep their planes in service.   SAS recently designed and delivered new APU access stands for a customer to help its mechanics do just that.

We’re glad to be even a small part of creating solutions that help address big concerns

The most important measure of our business is how customers perceive our products, our service and delivery, and our overall total value. Did we solve your problem, and do it in a manner that was timely, friendly, and complete? Will you come back again?

We’re blessed to say that our customers are coming back, and we are extremely proud to be working with firms and organizations whose reputations and names are among the leaders in the industry, leaders in world aviation.

Here are some of the companies we have served and are serving today:

• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• United Airlines
• FedEx
• UPS
• PSA Airlines
• BAE Systems
• U.S. Air Force

SAS understands that every day, on every job, we must build and maintain the trust you have in us and our products. As we say, “we want to provide exceptional work for those who appreciate exceptional service.”  It is a lofty goal to keep us humble as we open the doors each morning. Thank you for your business.

Coy Stepro stands in the work area atop a Boeing 787

This is one safe bird’s nest!

Here is a photo of the safest, most efficient Wi-Fi and Crown access stand in the industry.  That’s our General Manager Coy Stepro standing in the work space atop a Boeing 787.  Look how secure and enclosed you feel.  There’s not a gap between the safety fence and the aircraft.  Notice how the orange painted Safety Sliders fit tight to the fuselage.  You can step confidently from the platform onto the plane’s crown where the Wi-Fi antenna is located just behind Coy.

Those orange levers (to the left in the photo) are mechanisms to lock the sliders into place, offering a stable feel to technicians making repairs.

Across the top of the photo is our Jib Crane, capable of lifting 400 lbs. of tools or equipment onto the work platform or plane.   The arm of the crane moves in a 180-degree pattern, making it possible to lift from either side of the platform.   The stand also offers electric and pneumatic connections, and two LEDs mounted at the opening can throw a lot of light onto the subject.   We also should mention you can use this stand inside or outside of the hangar.

Simpson Aerospace Services (SAS) provides all types of stands for aircraft maintenance at Ground Operations and Line Maintenance facilities around the country and even beyond.  We build each one with quality and safety in mind.   We just happen to take a little more shine to this one.

1. They protect your Line Maintenance crew and technicians from falls and accidents with a fully surrounded working space. Meaning you don’t have to use a tether.
2. They move easily on durable casters that make positioning to the aircraft a cinch. No extra tows or equipment required.   Locked in place, they provide a snug, safe fit to the plane.
3. A jib crane is available for heavy lifting. That means mechanics and crew do not have to carry heavy objects up steps.  You don’t have to rent other machinery to do the job.
4. They require only a small amount of space, meaning you don´t have to sacrifice a lot of room in the hangar. They’re also durable and can be used inside or out.
5. They’re built to exact specifications you demand. You get equipment that fits and solves work you need to get done.  You’ll want to use them every day vs pushing them back to a corner for a once-in-a-while job.

SAS WiFi stands are made for narrow and wide body aircraft.

To  learn more visit www.Simpson-Services.com