 The Paul Cousins Award was created to recognize and remember the positive impact one individual made on the aviation maintenance craft and profession. Ever the consummate professional, Paul strove to better the conditions and image of aircraft maintenance professionals. His determination, passion and pride were second to none.
Paul Cousins, a former president of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association, and strong advocate of the AMC, passed away in 2018 from cancer. AMC Chairman Ken MacTiernan credits Cousins with helping expand the AMC to airlines and MROs overseas. Cousins was a formidable presence on the world stage in defense of the aviation maintenance professional. He was a member of the International Transport Federation and served as president of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers International president and federal president of the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association simultaneously while still serving as a Senior LAME with Qantas. Cousins was a staunch supporter of the AMC and led the first Australian team to represent the ALAEA at the AMC, the beginnings of wide Australian participation. Through his international contacts, he recruited many other European country representatives. The competition became known as the LAME Olympics. He registered the motto “Guardians of Air Safety” for the ALAEA but believed it applied to us all. Educated at Buckley Park school, he joined Trans Australia Airlines as an apprentice and studied at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, specializing in avionics. After obtaining his license he joined the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association and in 2002 became a member of the executive as a Qantas Councillor. He was elected federal president in July 2006 and AEI president in 2016. Like many Aussies, he worked hard and played hard, his capacity to socialize until early morning and front up fresh for the days work next day made him a legend. He is survived by his life partner Jackie and his two sons, Trent and Rhys. “Paul’s professionalism was only matched by his gregarious personality and love for family and friends. He was a great advocate for our profession, and naming this award after him is our way to honor and recognize his legacy,” MacTiernan said. “Wherever you are in the world, we all share the same responsibilities and standards. We belong to a global community of skilled crafts-people.” Recipients of the Paul Cousins Award represent what Paul battled to promote... skilled professionals. Those receiving this prestigious award carry the responsibilities of elevating and promoting the AME craft & profession. Just like Paul did.
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Meet a few of the members of Team Chix Fix, the United Airlines all-female team of aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs), as they prepare to compete in the 2019 Aerospace Maintenance Competition Sponsored by Snap-on, to be held April 8-11 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.  Kenosha, Wis., January 25, 2019 – More teams and more events – it’s better than ever!
A record 80+ aviation maintenance teams from around the world are expected to compete against each other in the industry’s premier annual event, the Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on. The event will be held at the MRO Americas 2019 Convention, April 8-11, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on is the foremost international competitive skills event for aviation technicians. It provides certified AMTs from major airlines, MROs and OEMs, as well as military personnel and students in FAA Part 147 schools, the chance to test their skills against their peers. The three-day competition runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 9; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10; and 8 to 11 a.m. Thursday, April 11, with the awards presentation following from 1 to 4 p.m. “The AMC brings together the top professionals the aircraft maintenance industry has to offer,” said Ken MacTiernan, AMC chairman. “The AMC is about raising awareness among the public, and within the aviation industry, about the knowledge, skill and integrity that today’s aircraft and spacecraft engineers and technicians possess.” The biggest field to date will be competing in 31 events, including safety wiring, composite repair, electrical troubleshooting, turbine engine and others, that challenge their knowledge, skill and team work. 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. Last year, the five-member team from United Airlines Team Cleveland repeated as champions, keeping the O’Brien Award trophy on display at the company’s facility at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport for a second straight year. “The AMC is a fully scaled, and highly competitive event. When you take home the William O’Brien Trophy, you’re the best-of-the-best in the MRO profession,” said Tom Murray, Director of Marketing, Snap-on Industrial. 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. The Honorable John Goglia, a former National Transportation Safety Board member who runs the AMC with MacTiernan, said he hopes the event brings out the high level of pride that’s inside each AMT. “The AMC is where they come to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and ability in aviation maintenance,” he said. “I want them to take away that they have a tremendous amount of knowledge within themselves. And even though the industry is a little slow in recognizing what the technician field brings to the table, the technicians themselves have tremendous pride in their own work.” Aviation maintenance supporters can get involved with the AMC through college financial donations. The Aerospace Maintenance Council, which hosts the AMC, is accepting donations from industry organizations to increase funding of its Phoebe Omlie Award. Named after the first female to receive an FAA aircraft mechanic’s license in 1927, the Phoebe Omlie Award is available to both men and women who are enrolled in an FAA Part 147 school, and who are participating in the AMC. Although the scholarship began just two years ago, seven students have received financial assistance. The Council is hoping to raise $20,000 this year. To make a financial donation to the Phoebe Omlie Award, email Crystal Maguire at team@aerospacecompetition.com. For students to apply for the scholarship, visit https://www.aerospacecompetition.com/scholarship.html. For more information about Snap-on, call 877.740.1900, or visit www.snaponaviation.com for information on the Maintenance Skills Competition Presented by Snap-on, 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 $3.7 billion, S&P 500 Company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin. # # # Contact: Jay Johnson, National Secretary/Treasurer
Phone: (720) 744-6632 The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association National Executive Council is accepting applications for two scholarships. Scholarships will be $2500, payable to each recipient’s institution of higher learning. To qualify, applicants must be enrolled as a student in an A&P school, a U.S. citizen, and a demonstrated passion for the craft. Completed applications must be submitted along with a transcript and 500-word essay entitled “safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground." ### Founded in 1962, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft oriented, independent aviation union. AMFA represents licensed and unlicensed technicians and related employees actively involved in the aviation industry. These technician and related employees work directly on aircraft and/or components, support equipment, and facilities. 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. For more information about AMFA visit www.amfanational.org. This year the competition will provide a designated area for recruiters and student competitors to discuss career opportunities. Corporate recruitment tables are available to bronze, gold and platinum sponsors. For more information on sponsorship, visit www.aerospacecompetition.com/sponsor.html or contact team@aerospacecompetition.com. Students looking for employment are encouraged to bring resumes. Sign up to receive the AMC newsletter to receive notification when early resume submissions opportunities are available. The Aerospace Maintenance Council (AMC) Phoebe Omlie Scholarship supports students with career ambitions in aviation maintenance. AMC is soliciting $2,500 donations to fund the scholarships; contributors will be recognized during the Aerospace Maintenance Competition awards ceremony, taking place in conjunction with MRO Americas in Atlanta on April 11, 2019.
The AMC is a not-for-profit organization that recognizes and celebrates the aviation technician, promotes career opportunities in aviation maintenance, and supports initiatives to enhance aerospace safety. The organization is led by impassioned individuals deeply committed to maintaining the craft’s professional integrity and cultivating its talent pipeline. The Aerospace Maintenance Competition—the council’s premier industry event—recently celebrated its 6th anniversary. This coming year, the competition will host 80, five-person teams from all over the world, the largest group of current and future maintenance professionals ever to compete. In 2017, the council opted to support its student competitors by creating a scholarship in recognition of Phoebe Jane Fairgrave Omlie, the first female to receive an FAA aircraft mechanic’s license in 1927. Since then, seven aviation maintenance students have received $13,000 in education-related assistance. Our goal is to double that amount in 2019. Scholarships were historically funded from the unspent cash balance of the AMC annual budget. In 2019, we are making a specific appeal to industry advocates so we can provide even more educational opportunities to support men and women interested in the art and science of aviation maintenance. We hope you will help strengthen our base of support as we continue fostering new and emerging technicians. If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact AMC president John Goglia at team@aerospacecompetition.com or scholarship chair Loretta Alkalay at lorettaalkalay@gmail.com.  The Aerospace Maintenance Council hosts annually the Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC). This year’s event will take place on April 8-11, 2019 in Atlanta.
The event showcases the talent required of aviation maintenance technicians to maintain aircraft and spacecraft in safe, airworthy condition. To further support 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. Awards in the amount of $500-2500 are possible only through the generous contributions of our sponsors. The council is currently soliciting financial contributions in support of these scholarships. For more information, visit www.aerospacecompetition.com/scholarship. REPEAT CHAMPIONS! UNITED AIRLINES TEAM CLEVELAND WINS 2018 WILLIAM F. “BILL” O’BRIEN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE PRESENTED BY SNAP-O  From left to right: The Honorable John Goglia, president, Aerospace Maintenance Council; David Vance, United Airlines; Garrett Morrison, United Airlines; John Waldeck, United Airlines; R.J. Peterson, United Airlines; Harold Dschuhan, United Airlines; Brian Hall, United Airlines; Daniel Morrison, United Airlines; Tom Murray, Director, Marketing and Business Development, Snap-on Industrial. Kenosha, Wis., April 27, 2018 – A dynasty of excellence in aircraft maintenance is forming in Northern Ohio as United Airlines Team Cleveland repeated as champions in the annual Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on.
United Airlines Team Cleveland topped 67 other teams from around the world, the most ever to compete, in route to capturing the famed William F. “Bill” O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance. It was awarded at the Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on, April 9-12, at the MRO Americas Convention in Orlando. “It’s amazing winning this award again, there’s no other way to describe it,” said Jack Waldeck, aircraft maintenance technician, United Airlines. “The support we received from United was great, we couldn’t ask for anything more. We trained very hard, which is why this is so satisfying for us. We’re very excited to bring the O’Brien trophy back to Cleveland.” Joining Waldeck on United Airlines Team Cleveland were Harold Dschuhan, Daniel Morrison, Garrett Morrison, R.J. Peterson, David Vance, Brian Hall (coach) and Russ Peterson (captain). “It’s very gratifying to see the commitment from United and they’re behind us 100 percent,” Team Captain Russ Petersons said. “This year we had four teams entered in the competition (Cleveland, San Francisco, Houston and Orlando); it’s great having United behind all of us competing in the AMC.” 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 United Airlines’ Cleveland maintenance facility for the next 12 months. The trophy, which 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. “The Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on is designed to demonstrate the highly technical skills and knowledge that’s required of aviation technicians today,” said Tom Murray, Director of Marketing & Business Development, Snap-on Industrial. “We’re very proud of all the participating teams, and especially the talented professionals at United Airlines Team Cleveland for repeating as champions. When you take home the William O’Brien trophy, you’re the best of the best in the MRO profession.” The Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on, and hosted by the Aerospace Maintenance Council (www.aerospacecompetition.org), 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 28 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 about raising awareness among the public, and within the aviation industry, about the knowledge, skill and integrity that today’s aircraft and spacecraft engineers and technicians possess. The AMC was created to promote the craft so that others know what our responsibilities are, and newcomers know what to expect,” said Ken MacTiernan, chairman of the Aerospace Maintenance Competition. School Category; Other Top Finishers This year, 25 school teams entered the competition, with Aviation Institute of Maintenance Houston taking home top honors. “When they announced we won, I think the tears started flowing a little bit,” said Michael Riccardelli, team captain and instructor, Aviation Institute of Maintenance Houston. This is the school’s first championship in nine years at the AMC. Riccardelli said the team put in more than 200 hours of practice in preparation for this year’s event, and three returning team members collectively had more than 500 hours of practice. “The reason why it’s important we come to the AMC every year is to get our students noticed and let the industry know that we have some really good technicians coming out,” Riccardelli said. “I’m very proud of our team, and excited for their futures as they embark on their careers. Top finishers in other categories included: MRO/OEM Category
School Category
Military Category
Commercial Category
General Aviation Industry
International Category
Female Team Category
United Competing with Professionalism Award
Charles E. Taylor Professional AMT Award
Phoebe Omlie Scholarship Award (Phoebe Omlie was the first female to receive an FAA aircraft mechanic’s license in 1927).
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 $75,000 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. Premium sponsors included American Airlines and Pratt & Whitney. For more information about Snap-on, call 877.740.1900, or visit http://www.snapon.com. For information on the Aerospace Maintenance Competition, visit www.aerospacecompetition.com. To watch a recap of the 2018 Aerospace Maintenance Competition, visit https://youtu.be/sI0YcHDVyqo. 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 $3.7 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 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 a scholarship 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. Awards in the amount of $1,000-$2,000 were presented at the 2018 AMC on April 12 in Orlando. This year's recipients were:
The scholarship is supported through the generous contributions of AMC participants and sponsors. For more information and to apply, visit www.aerospacecompetition.com/scholarship. Applications for next year's award are due March 15, 2019. Bob Whopperer, VP of Business Development, from Spectro Scientific visited West LA College to hand deliver their prize for the team with the fastest score in the oil analysis event. The school received a MiniVisc 3050 and standard accessories. This package has a commercial value of $11,269! Thanks to Yolanda "Yolie" Gong who crushed the event with a score of 4:16 minutes, all of the students at West LA College will be able to have hands on experience with cutting edge training material. Thank you Bob and Spectro Scientific for a challenging event and the generous prize!  Spectro Scientific Vice President Business Development Bob Whopperer with West LA College Team members Yolanda Gong, Cisco Valencia, Dave Cortez, James Lee, and their coach Mr. Triviso. Yolanda took first place in the oil analysis event, beating out 68 other students and AMT professionals. |
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