The past few weeks we have witnessed how maintenance compliance must be inherent in any aviation organization's culture and daily operations. This week, American Airlines has cancelled hundreds of flights following the same actions by Southwest and Delta. Next week, I have the privilege of being a speaker at the NBAA's 23rd Annual Maintenance Management Conference ("MMC"). The three day NBAA seminar is full of information and could not be more timely. Here's what we will discuss:
According to the NBAA website: "The MMC is designed for those who own aircraft or oversee the day-to-day operational activities. It is a resource for single aircraft or large fleet managers wishing to enhance their knowledge and skills, not only in the areas of technical expertise, but in the process involved in managing the maintenance function. This three-day Conference provides valuable information for individuals interested in enhancing their knowledge of aircraft maintenance and management, along with ideas and suggestions for those interested in professional development or meeting career objective goals."
I am speaking on a panel entitled "Protecting our Maintenance Function" and it is described as follows:
"The two most important elements in managing your professional and personal liability within any industry are knowledge and protection. The knowledge is necessary to enable you to contain your action, that which is within your control and the protection is to shield you from actions of others, that which is outside of your control. In this session we will example principles and risk tools which shield yourself and your assets. The presenters will highlight specific exposure areas, while providing ideas and solutions to ease your daily concerns. The presenters are both current professional working in the fields of Aviation Law and Aviation Risk Management."
While the several hundred attendees and vendors will be mostly from corporate aviation departments and associated service providers, I find the above panel description (drafted before I was asked to speak) with the elements of "knowledge and protection" also applicable to all Part 135 operators.
I am looking forward to the conference to provide some advice to others, to engage in dialogue and to take some questions. I also expect to learn some Part 91 corporate "best practices" and pick up some transferable skills and advice for air taxi clients. I once had a wise General Counsel tell me that the only way to eliminate all the risk for our air carrier was to park all the planes. Short of that, it was our job to identify the risk and manage it to acceptable levels with adequate controls, smart programs, tested procedures and wisdom - and most of that begins on the hangar deck! A professional maintenance conference put on by an organization as credible as the NBAA is indeed a timely and welcome event.
Read more!
