Kenosha, Wis., April 27, 2023 – 420 competitors. 84 teams. 26 events. One champion. Teams of aircraft maintenance professionals descended into Atlanta last week for the annual Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) Presented by Snap-on®, and for the second consecutive year, FedEx Express demonstrated why they are the best. After dozens of category, individual and scholarship awards were bestowed by AMC Chairman Ken MacTiernan, he closed the 2023 competition by announcing FedEx Express as recipients of the coveted William F. “Bill” O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance. “We were elated to hear we won the O’Brien award. All the hours of hard work and studying really paid off,” said Rob Shrum, Captain of FedEx Express. “I want to thank FedEx for giving us this opportunity. It says a lot about how much they care about the technicians. We had an all-new team this year, and we benefitted from FedEx’s network of past competitors, including last year’s winning team from FedEx Indy.” Joining Shrum on FedEx Express were Jesse Denson, Tony Digiannantoni, Oscar Romo, Darin Campbell and Brian Davidson. Shrum also wanted to thank several people within the FedEx family for helping them capture the title, including Scott Ogden, Les Frank, Rich Ugarte, Mike Sanford, Chris Hart, Gary Lyons, Christian Kline and Michelle Barnes, as well as AMC organizers Ken MacTiernan and John Goglia and their team for hosting the event.
The William F. “Bill” O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance is the grand prize for the team with the overall winning score in the Aerospace Maintenance Competition. The four-foot-tall O’Brien trophy will be on display at FedEx Indianapolis’ maintenance facility for the next 12 months. The trophy features a bust of Charles E. Taylor, an aviation pioneer who built and maintained the first aircraft engine used by the Wright Brothers. Sponsorship of the Award is part of Snap-on’s continued commitment to the Aerospace Maintenance Competition and aviation maintenance technicians around the world. “What a moment for this team of talented professionals,” said Bill Willetts, Vice President, Critical Industries at Snap-on Industrial. “On behalf of the thousands of Snap-on professionals around the world, I would like to congratulate the skilled technicians at FedEx Express, as well as all 84 teams, for their accomplishments at this year’s AMC. Current and future aircraft technicians are critical to us; they keep goods moving around the world; put assets into space, support military initiatives, and keep families flying safe. It was fantastic to see their energy and dedication to this important craft here at AMC.” The Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on, and hosted by the Aerospace Maintenance Council (www.aerospacecompetition.com), is an event that gives teams of licensed AMTs, AMEs, international military personnel and qualified aviation maintenance students the chance to test their aviation maintenance skills against those of their peers. The competition included 26 challenges in areas such as avionics; safety wiring; fiber optics/flight control rigging; hydraulics; jet engine troubleshooting; workplace safety SMS; and other tasks. Teams had 15 minutes to accurately complete each task; teams that finished their tasks in less than the allotted time received higher scores. “The Aerospace Maintenance Competition is designed to showcase the incredible knowledge, skills and integrity of aircraft technicians and students,” said Ken MacTiernan, Chairman of the Aerospace Maintenance Competition. “The amount of talent and level of enthusiasm on display this week leaves no doubt in my mind that the industry is in good hands moving forward.” Major Category Winners Space Category
General Category 1. Team 74: Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association 2. Team 66: Victory Lane Aviation, LLC 3. Team 65: Elevate Aviation MRO/OEM Category
School Category
Military Category
Commercial Category
International Category / Paul Cousins Award
United Competing with Professionalism Award
Charles E. Taylor Professional AMT Award
AMC Peer Award
Dream Team Award
Scholarship Winners
In addition to the William F. “Bill” O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, Snap-on provided all the tools and equipment used by the participants during the competition and donated more than $140,000 in tools and equipment prizes to top finishers in the competition. More than 50 other companies, educational institutions, community organizers and individual volunteers contributed time, resources, prizes, product and airline miles to the event. Other top sponsors include American Airlines and Pratt & Whitney® (Platinum); Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, PPG®, Barfield, Teamsters, GE Aerospace and United Airlines (Gold). For more information about Snap-on, call 877.740.1900, or visit https://www.snapon.com/Aviation. For information on the Aerospace Maintenance Competition, visit www.aerospacecompetition.com. About Snap-on Industrial Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and services are sold through the company’s franchisee, company-direct, distribution and Web-based channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $4.25 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin. About Aerospace Maintenance Council The Aerospace Maintenance Council is a non-profit organization that promotes and supports the aviation maintenance profession. The council’s flagstone event, the Aerospace Maintenance Competition, recognizes and celebrates the aviation maintenance technician, and raises awareness of the knowledge and skill required to maintain safe, airworthy aircraft, worldwide.
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Kenosha, Wis., November 9, 2022 – Registration is now open for teams to enter the 2023 Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on, April 17-20, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
“After this year’s tremendous event, we’re very happy to be back hosting the AMC in Atlanta this coming April. We’re looking forward for the teams from around the world to once again join us in showcasing their maintenance skills,” said Ken MacTiernan, Chairman, Aerospace Maintenance Competition. Teams can register by visiting https://www.aerospacecompetition.com/. “The AMC is a great venue for everyone to reconnect and stand proud again for our craft,” MacTiernan said. “The travel industry has seen a great rebound over the past year, and we are proud to have an opportunity to celebrate our mechanics, students and maintenance community as a whole.” This year’s competition will look slightly different with the addition of new events. Av-DEC, a supplier of aviation devices and electronic components, will be sponsoring a new event called Antenna Gasket Installation. In addition, FedEx will be bringing in a new cargo lock event and is now sponsoring the safety wire event. The Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on, and hosted by the Aerospace Maintenance Council (www.aerospacecompetition.com), is an event that gives teams of licensed AMTs, AMEs, international military personnel and qualified aviation maintenance students from FAA Part 147 schools, the chance to test their aviation maintenance skills against those of their peers. Participants compete in more than 25 events, including challenges such as airframe damage inspection, cable rigging, fiber optics, engine fan blade removal and many others that test their knowledge, skill and teamwork. The team earning the overall best score takes home the grand prize in aviation maintenance – the William F. “Bill” O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance. Presented by Snap-on, the coveted award signifies the highest standard of excellence in aviation maintenance. The O’Brien Award is a traveling trophy that debuted at the 2013 competition. The winning team receives the honor of displaying the 5-foot-tall trophy in their facility for a year. In addition to the trophy, Snap-on is awarding more than $75,000 in tools and equipment as prizes to the top finishers in the competition. This past April, the five-member team from FedEx Indy captured the O’Brien Award. Snap-on supports aviation technicians around the world through its commitment as the official tool sponsor for the Aerospace Maintenance Competition. Snap-on provides all the tools and equipment used by the participants during the competition, as well as planning and logistical support. For more information about Snap-on, call 877.740.1900, or visit https://www.snapon.com/Aviation; for information on the 2023 Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on, visit https://www.aerospacecompetition.com/. About Snap-on Industrial Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and services are sold through the company’s franchisee, company-direct, distribution and Web-based channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $4.25 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin. About Aerospace Maintenance Council The Aerospace Maintenance Council is a non-profit organization that promotes and supports the aviation maintenance profession. The council’s flagstone event, the Aerospace Maintenance Competition, recognizes and celebrates the aviation maintenance technician, and raises awareness of the knowledge and skill required to maintain safe, airworthy aircraft, worldwide. The following article was originally published by Delta Airlines, and reprinted with permission from Delta Corporate Communications. Five Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) from Team DTW placed 36th out of 74 teams in the Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) on the heels of the 2022 MRO Americas conference in Dallas. After AMT Pete Adzema discovered the competition in the Aviation Weekly magazine, fellow AMTs John Fauth, Steve Wahlers, Matt Stotz and Wade Rogers had just 47 days to research the 27 different event categories, put together a competition strategy and practice their maintenance skills best suited to each AMT to compete. “It was such a great time spending the week at the AMC competition and it was a really eye-opening experience for our DTW team,” said John Fauth, AMT 2, Line Maintenance, DTW. “Going toe to toe with all the teams from across the industry who put months and months of training in challenged us to be better than our best. Typically, this type of work is done mostly behind the scenes in our day-to-days, so it was unique to see all the people competing to put our craft onto the center stage and in the spotlight.” Teams competed in event categories varying from Aircraft Damage Inspection to Engine Fan Blade Removal to Electrical Troubleshooting and Cable Rigging, along with much more, that each had 15-minute time limits to complete. Our team competed against teams made up of everyone from college students to Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) specialists to military members and general and commercial aviation professionals from across the globe. “I was excited to see the initiative this group took to enter the competition,” said Mike McBride – VP, Operations, Delta TechOps Services Group (DTSG). “Historically TechOps hasn’t entered, but after seeing the energy this team brought, the leadership team and I are fully behind them and encourage others to get involved next year. It’s a fun time and a great opportunity to learn.” John, Steve, Matt, Pete and Wade look forward to sticking together to compete at next year’s conference at MRO Americas 2023 in mid-April in Atlanta. “The competitive spirit displayed from our DTW AMTs during this competition was electric, and we will absolutely encourage more participation next year at the conference in Atlanta,” said Don Mitacek – SVP, Delta TechOps, and President, DTSG. “Each day, our team members play critical roles to maintain our status as the best operator in the aviation industry. So, watching our folks showcase that at a large platform like MRO Americas makes me super proud to be part of this award-winning team!”
The Aerospace Maintenance Competition showcases the talent required of aviation maintenance technicians to maintain aircraft and spacecraft in safe, airworthy condition. To further support of our future mechanics, AMC is proud to provide scholarships in recognition of Phoebe Jane Fairgrave Omlie, the first female to receive an FAA aircraft mechanic’s license in 1927. Phoebe helped show the world that women were just as capable as men in repairing and maintaining aircraft.
The award recipients are as follows:
The scholarship is supported through the generous contributions of AMC participants and sponsors. During the 2022 competition, Snap-on donated 500 screwdrivers that were originally meant for the cancelled 2020 event. Those screwdrivers were given out in exchange for donations to the scholarship fund where over $11k was raised. For more information and to apply, visit www.aerospacecompetition.com/scholarship. Applications for next year's award will open in January 2023. On Tuesday April 26, United is hosting a Recruitment Mixer where jobseekers will have the opportunity to meet and speak with reps from United Airlines, learn about the company and the many job opportunities they have to offer.
Tuesday, April 26 5:00-7:00pm Courtyard Dallas Downtown/Reunion District 310 South Houston Street Dallas, TX 75202 To attend, please register at: https://forms.gle/8cHbLpD3jNZYEA5z8 Buffalo, New York, April 4 - After a two-year hiatus, the crew at AireXpert is excited to announce that the 2022 Aerospace Maintenance Competition held in Dallas will be livestreamed to viewers across the world starting on April 26 at 09:30 (CT).
The AMC has become an important and hugely successful part of Aviation Week’s MRO Americas Conference and brings over eighty dream teams of aircraft maintenance professionals together in one venue to compete in more than 25 technically demanding challenges. The competitors take this competition very seriously and they have a ton of support from family, friends and coworkers” stated Andy Hakes, CEO of AireXpert. “I’m excited that our crew is able to do our part to shine a light on the amazing work that most often happens behind the scenes. This event truly represents the best of the best and that’s a really high bar in this profession”. Presented by Snap-on and supported by the generosity of the aviation community, the Aerospace Maintenance Competition celebrates the depth and application of knowledge across current and future professionals who support airlines, educational institutions, defense & military and the emerging space ecosystems. Fans can sign up to view the livestream at mroamc.live Contact: AireXpert Dave Farley 716-550-9098 dave.farley@airexpert.net Nominations for the 20 Twenties class of 2022 are in full swing and Aviation Week Network would like to ask for your assistance.
Do you have or know of any students or interns who are on course to change the face of the aerospace and defense industry? We're looking for those rising stars — the young innovators, passionate believers, and future A&D leaders. The 20 Twenties program was established by Aviation Week Network in 2013 to recognize talented individuals with a bright future in Aerospace & Defense. To nominate a student, please complete this form and then share it with other deans or faculty members who have exceptional students. For general information on the 20 Twenties program, click here. All submissions must be received by April 29, 2022. Have questions? Feel free to contact Anna Dariotis at anna.dariotis@avationweek.com Aerospace Maintenance Council Elects New Slate ofExecutive Leaders to its Board of Directors3/17/2022
![]() Now in its ninth season, the competition attracts professional and collegiate maintenance teams from around the world to come together in friendly competition, test their skills, and give a loud shout-out of their presence in the industry. This year’s event will take place April 25-28, 2022, in conjunction with Aviation Week’s MRO Americas in Dallas. The council is overseen by an executive committee led by The Honorable John Goglia, the only FAA certificated mechanic to receive a presidential appointment to the National Transportation Safety Board. “We are very proud of the team brought together to help usher this organization to the next level,” said Council President John Goglia. “The high caliber of council leadership is testament to the respect paid to current and future aviation professionals, and industry’s support of students that will soon enter the profession.” The executive committee welcomes the following newly elected directors:
In addition to Goglia, new directors will join Vice President and Ken MacTiernan—who also serves as the competition’s chairman and aviation maintenance technician at American Airlines—and Secretary/Treasurer Todd Curtis. This year’s AMC is likely to eclipse more than 80 teams. The deadline for teams to enter the 2022 AMC is April 1. To register a team, visit https://www.aerospacecompetition.com/team-registration.html. Learn more about the board of directors at aerospacecompetition.com/leadership. Download the full press release at amc-boardannouncement-20220317.pdf The FAA has renewed a petition for exemption, requested by AMC on behalf of aviation maintenance technician schools (AMTS) certificated under part 147. The exemption provides relief from curriculum requirements provided for in § 147.21 such that AMTS may provide students credit for time spent preparing for and competing in the competition.
The exemption allows faculty members to determine whether student time dedicated to preparing for and participating in the AMC satisfies the requirements of § 147.21; students may be credited up to 60 hours. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft oriented, independent aviation union representing licensed and unlicensed technicians and related employees in the aviation industry. AMFA is committed to elevating the professional standing of technicians and to achieving progressive improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions of the skilled craftsmen and women it represents.
AMFA annually awards cash scholarships to A&P students. This year's scholarships will be awarded to three individuals in the amount of $2,000 payable to each recipient's institution of higher learning. For more information or to apply, please visit: https://www.amfanational.org/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=Education |
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