Mark Mondt

This recent National Business Aviation Association article highlights the critical need to combat maintenance complacency with double-checks, engagement, and accountability — values that align directly with Veryon. ✅ Our aviation maintenance solutions are designed to empower operators with real-time insights and ensure every task is documented, tracked, and verified, so nothing gets missed. ✅ With seamless integrations and 24/7 support, we're committed to helping Part 135 and 91 operators prioritize safety while streamlining their workflows. ✅ Our long-term partnerships further underscore our dedication to operational excellence. Let’s work together to set the bar higher for safety and reliability in aviation! Read the full NBAA article: https://bit.ly/41lIqNs Learn more about how we can support your operations: https://bit.ly/3ZFeElx #LetsGetYouMoreUptime #AviationMaintenance #SafetyFirst #Accountability #NBAA

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Read S.W.A.T's first ever blog: "Addressing the AMT Shortage with Southwest Aerospace Technologies" written by intern Ananya Khanna "The aviation industry is facing a significant challenge: a growing shortage of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs). As the demand for air travel increases, the need for qualified AMTs is more pressing than ever...." Read more on our website using the link below: https://lnkd.in/gc2kHCfp

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Addressing the Aviation Maintenance Technician Shortage: A Crucial Step for the Industry’s Future The aviation sector is on the road to recovery post-pandemic, but a significant challenge persists: a shortage of aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs). Current estimates suggest a shortfall of 12,000 to 18,000 AMTs, which could persist or even worsen over the next decade. Factors like an aging workforce, low career uptake, and rising passenger demand (IATA predicts 8.2 billion passengers by 2037) are contributing to this gap. Boeing’s 2021 Commercial Market Outlook indicates that 610,000 new AMTs will be needed globally through 2041, with the trade association ADS saying that there are currently 10,000 vacancies in the UK alone. To meet this demand, the industry must increase the number of trained AMTs by at least 20% above those already being trained. Strategies to address this could include: ✈️ Increasing financial compensation: Making the role more attractive by acknowledging the high skill and training required. ✈️ Diversifying recruitment efforts: Expanding marketing to underrepresented groups (currently, <10% of aviation and aerospace engineers are female, for example). ✈️ Mentorship programs: Leveraging the experience of current professionals to guide and inspire the next generation. At Aviation in Reach, our team of experienced mentors are dedicated to supporting aspiring aviation professionals and levelling the playing field for those traditionally underrepresented in the industry. If you know someone looking to start a career in aviation engineering, please share this post with them. We’ll be reopening applications this summer. This Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, let’s work together to secure the future of aviation by investing in the next generation. #MentorshipMatters #AviationIndustry #Aerospace

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The FAA's new requirements for implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) are pivotal for ensuring a proactive approach to aviation safety. By mandating SMS across charter airlines, commuter airlines, air tour operators, and aircraft manufacturers, the FAA is prioritizing a culture of safety and risk management within the industry. SMS provides a structured framework for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, thereby enhancing operational safety standards. It empowers organizations to continuously improve safety performance through data-driven decision-making and proactive hazard identification. Ultimately, the adoption of SMS fosters a safer environment for passengers, crew members, and all stakeholders involved in aviation operations, underscoring the FAA's commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in the skies.

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This is a major step forward. Testing is a major barrier to getting #pilots and #aviationmaintenancetechnicians #AMTs into the #workforce. Allowing Part 147 schools to take some of the burden is huge. Aviation Technician Education Council #ATEC has long advocated for the FAA to expand testing capacity by incorporating #airmancertification into the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program. AC ODA holders will not replace individual DMEs. The benefit to the FAA is that managing organizations is more efficient than managing the activities of individual designees. The benefit to industry is that the AC ODA holder would manage its own testing capacity, overseeing the activities of its “Unit Members” who would perform mechanic testing according to the ODA holder’s approved quality system. During last year's University Aviation Association conference, colleges reported they have trouble getting new #DMEs through FAA approval. One said it paid for training and presented a upskilled candidate for approval. He was denied and FAA refused to say why. ATEC's solution is a common sense way to address what has become a serious hurdle for moving students into the workforce. https://lnkd.in/eQb4JQTY Ralph Coppola

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Interesting speculation about a buyer for Boeing Defense, Space & Security, and LM joint venture United Launch Alliance (ULA), but I don't believe it. At least, I don't believe it would come from Sierra Space. Sierra Space has been singularly focused on Dream Chaser. And it's hard to blame them. The spaceplane is poised to revolutionize the #spaceeconomy by offering a unique platform for various defense, commercial, and scientific missions. After the bankruptcy of Virgin Orbit, they have positioned themselves as the only #space option with global runway access. Its ability to be reusable, short turnarounds of cargo or crew, and land on traditional runways worldwide expands accessibility and potential overseas customers excited to enter the #5ir. Dream Chaser also could plug in ideally with a future #spacestation ecosystem of 8-12 in the 2040s. A change of focus to ULA would be too out of character for Sierra Spaces spaceplane roadmap. But they do have one advantage that doesn't make me entirely dismiss the rumor. They aren't a public company. Much like SpaceX, they don't have public markets or advocate investors to worry about. When planning for (read accepting the risks) a piece of a Space Economy of $4T in the 2040s and $10T by the 2050s, the reception from the banks and the general public has not always been patient. -GSP- MilkyWayEconomy The Space Economy

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Aviation Technician Education Council shows how little progress we are making in meeting the need for 31,000 #aviationmaintenancetechnicians by 2031 with latest Federal Aviation Administration stats showing growth in #AMTs at only 2.3%. New AMTS entrants increased by just 1.8% last year. Women make up 2.7% of the mechanic workforce—a figure that is growing by just tenths of percentage points annually. The percentage of military veterans transitioning to civilian maintenance jobs grew by double digits for the second consecutive year., the survey found, ATEC said in its latest #pipeline report. One of the biggest issues, I see, is competition from other industries and the barriers to testing including fear of testing which prevents students from sitting for A&P exams. ATEC is working to make testing part of the curriculum and University Aviation Association mentioned this is a priority along with approving designated examiners at the schools. https://lnkd.in/eCiGKMrj

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Hybrid aviation still afloat for now MHI RJ Aviation Group (MHIRJ) and Maeve Aerospace are collaborating on the Maeve M80, an 80-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft designed for missions up to 1,200 nautical miles. MHIRJ, which supports the legacy Bombardier CRJ program acquired in 2019, provides engineering and advisory services for the M80. The hybrid-electric proposition is still alive for the moment, but Rethink doesn’t see a market opening that won’t first be filled up by hydrogen aviation. Not only will such a design have to deal with the high prices of SAF, but it will also have to navigate the complex business case of having to replace its battery packs once their capacity degrades below a certain level, meaning a second, ground-based second-life application will have to be found for them. The latter won’t be difficult in itself, but lies very much outside the usual business model of an airline operator. #aviation #hydrogen #sustainableaviation #SAF

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How has WFD been addressed in the past? ·       The FAA sought the help of several industry experts and formed the Airworthiness Assurance Task Force (AATF) in 1988. This group was subsequently renamed as the Airworthiness Assurance Working Group (AAWG) of the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) which was formed in 1991. ·       Many of the aging aircraft in existence at the time the AAWG was formed had not been designed on a damage tolerant basis as this had not been made a regulatory requirement until the introduction of FAR 25.571 Amendment 45 in December 1978 ·       The AAWG defined several programs, some of which have been subsequently implemented on the different aging aircraft fleets by aircraft specific Structures Task Groups (STGs) ·       These programs were: 1.     Mandatory Modification Program (MMP). The identification of structurally significant service bulletins and recommended mandatory incorporation of modifications 2.     Corrosion Prevention and Control Program (CPCP) 3.     Generic Structural Maintenance Program (SMP) guidelines for aging aircraft 4.     Supplemental Structural Inspection Documents (SSID) 5.     Repair Assessment Programs (RAP) ·         It was recognized that given the increasing average age of the commercial fleet, WFD needed to be addressed. Consequently, the AAWG was assigned a sixth task by the FAA, namely, 6. Recommend procedures to preclude the occurrence of widespread fatigue damage within the transport airplane fleet

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The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions Initiative (EAGLE) shares an update about the STC process for unleaded aviation fuels and why it matters to pilots and aircraft owners. Read: https://lnkd.in/gY6Kd6qF

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NEWS 📰 #GEAerospace was awarded a production contract for Integrated Data Acquisition Recorder (IDAR) systems for the United States Air Force (USAF) fleet of 396 KC-135 aircraft. Under the contract, GE Aerospace will upgrade the existing IDAR and incorporate advanced components with new growth capabilities GE Aerospace will begin deliveries to the USAF in 2026 and will continue through 2031. Learn more ➡ https://bit.ly/3CB4GZa

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Believe it or not, this IS a "bad news, good news" story. The bad/terrible/awful news is that there are still rogue remote pilots out there, and the Feds struggle to track them. Without sounding like a broken record, FAA decisions to not mandate drone registration or proof of license at purchase and to use low-power WiFi/Bluetooth broadcast for drone remote ID makes it VERY difficult to track rouge drones and their pilots. This, coupled with minimal federal counter-UAS authorities and a lack of counter-UAS resources, undoubtedly set the stage for this collision. The good news is that the drone damage to the air tanker conforms completely with ASSURE UAS air collision research led by Gerardo Olivares at Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research. ASSURE researched the damage a drone would do to a typical airliner or business jet reinforced against bird strikes. The answer in this instance is that the drone would penetrate the leading edge of the victim aircraft's wing, but the aircraft would remain flyable. ASSURE research says that aircraft reinforced against bird strikes will almost always survive a drone strike. This means that aircraft forced to fly near rogue drones, like firefighting aircraft, can be reinforced against probably unavoidable drone strikes. Note: ASSURE research was not so optimistic for general aviation and rotary-wing aircraft that don't have the same reinforcements as airliners. Drone collisions against these aircraft can be fatal. Check out the ASSURE website for more details. LOTS of more details. #drones #counteruas #californiawildfires

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Navigating aircraft certification is easier with support from EMA. Our resume includes decades of certification experience, a validated simulation process, and an FAA DER (designated engineering representative) on staff. Learn our secrets to avoiding unnecessary testing and analysis in the Solving Electromagnetic Challenges webinar “Leveraging Test and Simulation to De-risk Certification.” In it, DER and EMA Principal Scientist II Justin McKennon shares valuable insight while dispelling myths and outdated practices. A short preview is below. You can watch the full webinar by clicking here- https://lnkd.in/gsEN3qgt #EMA #FAA #DER #aerospace #aircraft #certification #simulation #testing #measurement

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Boeing is moving through its analysis of 787 fuselage join non-conformances and potential ramifications for the in-service fleet, with results so far showing that aircraft already flying do not need additional remediation work. #Boeing #787 Read more on this >> https://lnkd.in/e3VTq2Xx

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Knowing when to walk away from an aircraft and related deal is probably one of the most difficult questions to answer because it becomes very subjective. I usually recommend issues be limited to those that are “airworthiness” in nature. In other words, would the aircraft pass an annual/phased inspection with this issue? Another consideration is whether or not the seller is willing to address these issues. If not, then becomes a question of how serious the issues are to the buyer and are they prepared to step away from the deal. Backing out of the deal may be the most logical and cost effective action to take albeit not easy or straightforward. Especially if you’ve already invested significant time and money into your search. As a Buyer’s Agent, I help you understand the impacts of the items found and what they mean in financial terms during the prebuy. I ensure that we have the ability to back out of the deal at any time while protecting the buyer’s deposit provided you have the appropriate “out clause” in your Purchase Agreement. There are ways of resolving most issues. BUT, this is why you go through the process and complete the inspection. There are no shortcuts. #buyersagent #aircraftappraisal #buyinganairplane

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