There is no doubt that the movement of OEMs into the aftermarket in the last 15 years has caused tectonic change in the MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) and Distribution ecosystem. Such evolution is not uncommon, but unfortunately there appears to be ample evidence that more than a few of the OEMs are unfairly leveraging their monopolistic positions to withhold reasonable access to their repair/overhaul manuals (Instructions for Continued Airworthiness) from independent MROs. Independent ...

A banal cliché overheard during political campaigns is ‘working together’. I figuratively roll my eyes at the lack of creativity in that diluted, overused utterance. Fortunately, despite cynics, there really are examples in governance where that term bore fruit. Every government organization has its head; the Administrator, or Director for example. An oft heard refrain among those leaders is that the goals of the organization can’t be met without the active participation of industry; in other wo...

Before getting started, I’d like to offer some advice to those already on the job market, or considering placing yourself on the market, or if your firm is in discreet discussions with an applicant: Obtain your training records from your previous or existing employer. It’s always a good idea to have copies of your training records, but more so in the dynamic employment market we find ourselves in today, especially since your furlough may come unannounced. My clients frequently hire ‘experienced’...

Who among us has not experienced that feeling in our lifetime of having missed an early opportunity to get on board with something new? At this very moment that same feeling should be sending out alarms! We are on the cusp of a revolution in air transportation of cargo and passengers. Now is the time for Distributors and MROs to aggressively forge ties with the emerging firebrands of this movement, and to creatively develop new methods to support it while the distribution of spares and performan...

There are lots of awards, trophies, and recognitions in aviation, but the Collier is among the most historically significant and longest running of them all. This is going to be a departure from the usual fare, but a fun one! I recently read a magazine piece on the finalists for this trophy (see below) for the recent year which triggered this article. Since 1910 the Trophy has been given annually for: "…the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving...