Maintainers showcase skills in AMT competition

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  For the past two weeks five aircraft maintenance technicians assembled from active duty and Reserve units here, have worked to hone their skill in preparation for the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition held March 15-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV.

The competition is designed to showcase the professionalism, knowledge and skill of maintainers throughout the world that help keep aircraft flying safely. It also gives individuals working in the aircraft maintenance field the opportunity to test their combined abilities against those of their peers, according to the 2010 Maintenance Skills Competition Criteria Handbook.

This year marks the third year the AMTSociety has hosted the event and the second year with a military category. Licensed AMTs and aircraft maintenance engineers supporting aircraft maintenance functions for commercial organizations are eligible to compete.

Other eligible competitors include students enrolled in a Federal Aviation Administration, European Aviation Safety Agency, Civil Aviation Safety Authority or equivalently authorized schools and military aircraft maintainers. Twenty five teams representing major airlines, businesses, schools and three military branches have registered for the competition.

The event kicks off with an orientation followed by the first of 12 planned scenarios beginning Tuesday. There are five team categories, commercial, general aviation, schools, military and Maintenance Repair Overhaul/Original Equipment Manufacture.

Each event is timed and participants will be tested on their knowledge and skill in the areas of wiring, flight control rigging, troubleshooting, and repair and installation. Scores for each event are awarded based on the total time taken to complete assigned tasks plus discrepancies assessed from identified penalties. The team with the lowest score will win for its category. The top three teams in each category will receive a plaque and the team receiving the best overall score will be awarded the William F. O'Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance.

"The MSC was not created to promote one group of over another," said Ken MacTiernan, director of the AMTSociety and competition chairman. "The fact that one team of AMTs is faster than another does not in any way implicate that the faster team is any better than a team with a slower score."

The chairman stresses that "every AMT competing is the epitome of what today's AMTs represent... knowledge, skill and integrity."

With last year's inclusion of a military category, Mr. MacTeirnan states that by having "military teams competing in the MSC, it helps reiterate the premise behind the MSC, which is an aircraft does not care about the color of the AMT's uniform, skin, their religion, sex, political beliefs, religion or nationality. The aircraft only cares about the knowledge, skill and integrity that the AMT possesses."

Dubbing themselves as "Team McGuire", JB MDL members say they are excited about displaying their talents.

"We have high expectations this year because we earned the Best Military Team and Best Cable Rigging Team Awards last year," said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Hofricther, in his second year as team manager. "That was a tremendous feat since it was the first time the military competed. We appreciate the support from the maintenance group and squadron commanders and supervisors to release these Airmen from their flightline duties in order for them to prepare for the competition," he added.

Members were selected based on their job experience and ability to contribute in the right mixture of skill sets. The team is composed of four primary competitors, a team coach who will keep the team on track during each timed event, and a team manager. The manager does not participate in the hands-on competition, but plays the role of an advisor. Combined, the JB MDL team has more than 80 years of maintenance experience.

"Last year we did not have enough electricians," said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Woodward, returning team coach and maintenance instructor with the 373rd Training Squadron Detachment here. "This year we made adjustments."

First year team members include: Tech. Sgt. Louis Monaco an Air Force Reserve electrical environmental aircraft systems specialist; Tech. Sgt. Ryan Guerrette, team captain and a Reserve KC-10 Extender crew chief; Tech. Sgt. Rob Danser an active duty aircraft structural maintenance specialist and Staff Sgt. Daniel Parkhill an active duty electrical environmental aircraft systems instructor.

"We wanted to pick a blended team to showcase the total team force of Reserve and active duty," said Sergeant Hofrichter. "This is part and parcel how we operate on a daily basis. The residual benefit for us competing is that we'll bring even more experience back to the flightline."

With just one year in the competition, the military competitor's level of performance has not gone unnoticed.

"By having a military category the MSC is able to accomplish several things," said Mr. MacTiernan.

He lists these accomplishments as: military aircraft maintainers are the best of the best; military maintainers are professional and knowledgeable and that all aircraft maintainers across the five branches of service carry the same responsibilities of providing safe airworthy aircraft as their civilian peers.

Other military branches and Air Force teams competing are: the Navy, Coast Guard and two other Air Force teams from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas and McChord Air Force Base, Wash.