Kenosha, Wis., September 8, 2021 – The Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on is back on for 2022!
 
“We’re very happy to be back hosting the AMC and hope that teams from around the world can join us in showcasing their maintenance and troubleshooting skills next April in Dallas,” said Ken MacTiernan, Chairman, Aerospace Maintenance Competition.
 
The AMC coincides with the MRO Americas 2022 Convention, April 25-28, at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. The annual competition for aircraft maintenance professionals and aspiring students has been cancelled for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  
 
Team registration opens Oct. 1 at https://www.aerospacecompetition.com/.
 
MacTiernan said excitement of the AMC’s return is growing within the maintenance community, as several airlines, MROs and schools have already verbally committed to fielding a team in next year’s competition.
 
“The AMC is a great venue for everyone to reconnect and stand proud again for our craft,” MacTiernan said. “Although the travel industry certainly slumped over the past year, we’ve never really left. Mechanics were still fixing airplanes. Students were still in school. Manufacturers were still building aircraft.
 
“The AMC is back, but collectively as a maintenance community, we never really left.”
 
Over the past several years, the Aerospace Maintenance Competition Presented by Snap-on has grown to become a widely attended international aviation experience for both technicians and fans. The venue 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.
 
Participants compete in more than 20 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 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. In 2019, the five-member team from United Airlines Team Cleveland won the O’Brien Award for the third straight year. 
 
For more information about Snap-on, call 877.740.1900, or visit https://www.snapon.com/Aviation; for information on the 2022 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 $3.7 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Kenosha, Wis., April 27, 2021 – In key moments of aviation history, Snap-on was there. Whether it was servicing the Spirit of St. Louis in 1927, helping Howard Hughes’ historic around the world flight in 1938, assisting Apollo 11 land on the moon in 1969 or supporting NASA’s Ares 1 rocket in 2008 – technicians had Snap-on tools in their hands for these extraordinary achievements.


And as the industry emerges from what was undoubtedly one of the most challenging and difficult years ever imagined, we support technicians. Snap-on and its presence at the MRO Americas convention this week in Orlando is a testament of that.


For the past decade Snap-on has been a mainstay at the MRO Americas convention, both as an exhibitor and the presenting sponsor of the Aerospace Maintenance Competition, a global competition that attracts upwards of 90 maintenance teams in a friendly competition of skills to see who’s the best of the best in the world of aircraft maintenance. Although this year’s AMC has been cancelled due to COVID-19, the event expects to be back next year, bigger and better than ever – with Snap-on tools in their hands.


Keeping track of those tools is an area where Snap-on sets the pace for the industry to follow … and this year is no exception. Snap-on is debuting AutoCrib as part of its MRO Americas convention product lineup. AutoCrib is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of tool and asset control solutions. The company’s diverse product line, in combination with its flexible asset tracking software, designs customized systems that ensure real-time accountability, control and accuracy for aviation applications.


MRO Americas attendees visiting Snap-on’s booth No. 1636 can see AutoCrib’s Intelliport® Lite, which uses a RFID portal to scan and monitor tools and equipment, eliminating long lines at the tool crib. AutoCrib is also exhibiting its vending inventory management solutions that can be programmed to control items such as tools, MRO, PPE, eTools, fasteners, washers and more. AutoCrib was acquired by Snap-on Incorporated in September 2020.


Complementing AutoCrib technologies at MRO Americas is our proven Level 5 Tool Control System, including the Automated Tool Control (ATC) box and Visual Control Cabinets. These tool control solutions employ the five hallmarks of the Level 5 Tool Control System: visibility, organization, access control, asset management and automation, which are the foundation of a sound tool control system.


Snap-on has demonstrated its commitment to aviation technicians through the years with tools, equipment and solutions to help them get the job done safely and efficiently … and it is a commitment they can count on for years to come.
​

To see live demonstrations of AutoCrib or the Level 5 Tool Control systems, visit Snap-on in booth No. 1636 at the MRO Americas convention, April 27-29 in Orlando; for more information call (877) 740-1900, or visit https://b2b.snapon.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

Last fall, the FAA officially convened the Department of Transportation’s Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force. Appointees have since been collecting information regarding experiences with youth engagement, career development, workforce needs and industry readiness.
 
To assist in that work, the task force requests assistance gathering input from students in AMTS and any other aviation-specific training programs about the experiences with youth interest in aviation careers.
 
Please share the following invitation with students in your programs, encouraging feedback that will help turn their decision to develop aviation skills into better industry-wide effort to recruit and develop new talent:
 
The United States – and world – need more people to pursue careers in aviation. Since you’re on the path already, your experience is invaluable to the industry as it improves recruitment and retention efforts. Please share that experience by completing the following questionnaire, which was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force. Anything you share will be confidential and will not be seen by your school or instructors. To complete the survey, access the Google Form at https://forms.gle/x38aRMXxUA6qUEqc7.

The deadline to submit a response is Feb. 28.

​The Northrop Rice Foundation has arranged with the FAA’s written tests provider to pay test fees for students requiring financial support.

Test fee grants are now available and are described in the “Programs” portion of the foundation’s website. School administrators may download the poster linked below to market the opportunity to students.

For more information and to apply, visit the NRF website, or email FAAfeesgrant@northropricefoundation.org.

​Contact: Jay Johnson, AMFA National Secretary/Treasurer
Phone: (720) 744-6632

The AMFA National Executive Council (NEC) is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications until February 28, 2021, for two AMFA Scholarships for 2021. Scholarships will be $2500 and will be payable to each recipient’s institution of higher learning.

Last year’s scholarships were awarded to students at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Norfolk and Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach South.

“Contributing to the education of the next generation of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians is one of AMFA’s ambitions,” said Bret Oestreich, AMFA National Director. “We are honored to be offering this opportunity as costs have risen to obtain a FAA Airframe & Powerplant license.”

Those who apply must be currently enrolled in a school or university to gain their Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license, be a US Citizen, and submit a 500-word essay explaining “what the Dirty Dozen means to you.” For more information, visit the AMFA National website.

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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.

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.
 
While the 2020 competition was cancelled amidst coronavirus concerns, the council recognized a handful of student competitors through a "virtual" awards ceremony on June 24.

The following individuals were presented with $1,000 awards:

• Tristan Anderson, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Mr. Anderson is a straight A student at Embry-Riddle majoring in aviation maintenance science, while also working towards his pilot certificate.  He plans to continue his education by obtaining a Masters Degree in aeronautics.  Mr. Anderson is looking forward to working in business aviation with a goal of ultimately becoming a director of maintenance.
• Beth Anne Chevalier, Utah State University:  Ms. Chevalier is a senior at Utah State  University where she is majoring in aviation technology maintenance management and minoring in unmanned aerial systems.   She has enjoyed working with tools from a young age and would like a career building aircraft engines.  Ms. Chevalier has demonstrated leadership attributes and was voted by her peers into the Society of Aviation Maintenance Professionals (SAMP) club leadership. She has also shared her enthusiasm and love for aviation by organizing a Girls in Aviation Day at her local airport.
• Zening Loh, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Ms. Loh began Embry-Riddle with the intention of becoming an airline pilot and is now a certified flight instructor.  However, she soon decided to switch to the aviation maintenance program and she is scheduled to graduate this year.  She plans to use both her flying and maintenance skills in the future working for a seaplane company in the Maldives, both flying and performing maintenance.
• Cody Rundle, Mohawk Valley Community College: Mr. Rundle is extremely hardworking and dedicated. He worked for a year to save up to be able to afford the A&P tech program he is majoring in.  He goes to school full time and works as a welder six days a week. Despite his arduous schedule, he still makes time to be involved in his College’s Aviation Maintenance Club.
• Tyler Yoder, Liberty University: Mr. Yoder, is a straight A student and on the Dean’s List at Liberty University. His dream as a child was to be a Marine and an aircraft mechanic and he is fulfilling both those dreams. He was in the Marines and worked as an aircraft mechanic on CH53-E helicopter. He is now pursuing his A&P and undergraduate degree in aviation maintenance management so that he can rise in the management ranks of an aviation organization.

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, 2021.

It is with heavy regret that I write to you today. The consequences of Covid-19 have reverberated through the aviation community and created obstacles that demand rigid responses. The Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) is not immune to the impacts. With the best interest of the competition and participants in mind, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 event, despite our original intention to reschedule for September.

We understand the disappointment this cancellation will cause. Competitors invested time and resources into training and studying in order to compete, and our incredible sponsors were prepared to put on the best event yet. It is unfortunate and unpleasant that we will not be able to provide a world stage for students and professionals to compete against each other. 

All team, event, and sponsor registrations will carry forward to the 2021 competition. (Let us know if you need to make a change to your participation.) And we will still recognize recipients of the 2020 Phoebe Omlie Award, so stay tuned for information on the virtual awards ceremony. 

We look forward to seeing you next year at the AMC in Orlando on April 27-29. 

The cancellation of this year's event does not diminish the fact that you are the best of the best. You remain the true faces behind safety in aviation.

Sincerely,

Ken MacTiernan
Chairman, Aerospace Maintenance Competition

Note: While the AMC has been cancelled, Aviation Week Network's MRO Americas will take place as scheduled, in Dallas on Sept. 1-3, 2020.

​Charles Taylor was the first aircraft mechanic and the original unsung hero of aviation. He worked for the Wright brothers in their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio. When they could not find a company to build them an engine for their glider, Charlie made one from scratch in about 6 weeks.

In honor of AMT Day, hear a little more about his story at ​https://vimeo.com/420492939/e8535aa90a (brought to you by the Mechanical Dragons).