Avionics News June 2014 - 15

Many inspectors are paralyzed to work outside the comfort zone of the
prescriptive list. What is most troubling is that these individuals routinely
second-guess those who have approved alterations (and equipment
installations) that are not specific to the list.

In a recent meeting with an Aircraft Electronics
Association member company, I spoke with a human
resources manager who was getting ready to implement
new policies for sick days because there were a couple
of employees who were clock watchers - paycheck
technicians. After a thorough discussion, she admitted
they generally did good work while they were there but
just noticeably lacked the "aviator's" passion of the rest
of the crew. Her concern was that if she were to increase
the allowable sick days, these paycheck technicians
were certainly going to take the extra time off. Well,
maybe. But the rest of the crew with the "aviator's"
passion would consider it a perk and likely take no more
sick days than before but work a little happier.
Now I would not suggest I had the answer to her
dilemma. But it was interesting that she was ready to
establish company policy based on the work culture of a
few in spite of the potential benefit to the majority. She
was ready to regulate to the least common denominator.
Fortunately, she chose to regulate to the culture she wanted
to foster rather than the minimum culture of a few.
But it did get me thinking about the regulations. We
all tend to "regulate" to our comfort and familiarity
levels. Although contrary to all the latest information,
we regulate to prevent bad behavior rather than promote
a desirable culture.
According to a U.S. Government Accountability
Office report on the shortage of mechanics, "GAO
analysis found mixed evidence about a current or
possible future shortage of aviation professionals.
Aerospace engineers have experienced a low
unemployment rate - the most direct measure of a labor
shortage - and increases in employment suggesting
a shortage may exist; however, earnings for the
occupation have stayed about the same. Data provides

less support for a shortage of aircraft mechanics;
while the occupation has had a low unemployment
rate, both employment and earnings have stayed about
the same, suggesting that demand for this occupation
has not outstripped supply. GAO was unable to
analyze information on avionics technicians because
of insufficient data. In addition, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics' employment projections indicate slower
than average or no growth for these three occupations
over the next 10 years. Data also suggests the number
of people who have received training related to these
aviation professions is increasing; however, several
other industries compete for these individuals and not all
will pursue aviation careers."
The report is available online at www.gao.gov/
products/GAO-14-237. But the Cliff Notes version is
pretty simple: There is no shortage of technicians; the
schools are graduating plenty of technicians to fulfill
the body count in aviation maintenance. However, the
report continued by highlighting the apparent shortage
of aviators - technicians with a passion (and talent) for
aviation.
So it's no surprise we see the loss of the aviator's
culture in government, as well. As the general aviation
industry has become more aggressive in hiring aviators,
it has left the culture of paycheck technicians to the
agency. As a result, we have seen a major shift in the
tone of regulations, guidance and policy during the
past two decades. Twenty years ago, we had aviators
reminding aviators what they should not do. Today, we
have regulations, guidance and policy that establish the
minimum acceptable level of performance, which tells
people what to do.
Continued on page 78

avionics news

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june

2014

15
http://www.gao.gov/
Avionics News June 2014

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