Avionics Education .com

I just received my copy of the new draft of the Airman Certification Standards (ACS ). After spending the day mulling it over let me give you some observations. New Format First of all its long, over 75 pages of charts containing a new numbering system. This is because the new standard is now a combination of the three old standards for Generals, Airframe, and Powerplant. Probably to allow the FAA to revise a single document in the future instead of three. Also included in each section is a new type of questions already included in the pilot standards., These new questions have a special emphasis on the mitigation of risks AKA Risk management and SMS. The current standard for the oral and practical the applicant would be asked a question to evaluate knowledge then perform a physical task. When the risk management test standard is in place, an applicant will be required to identify risks associatedwith the task and then describe to the DME  how to assess and mitigate these...

Today I read another article about the looming mechanic shortages, but more interestingly I read the comments.  Aviation-mechanic-shortage-looms-as-risk-for-industry   Most are of the same vein in that the wages need to be better and the benefits improved. But what I think they miss sometimes is aviation is a passion. And we are running out of passionate people willing to overlook the drawbacks and dedicate themselves to this field. That passion does not magically start at the graduation ceremony at an A&P school it has to be nurtured long before. Labor shortages always exist when the economy improves. Skilled labor deficiencies exist in all industries that required the skills that are taught in A&P school. In fact, many companies are beginning to raid A&P schools for labor. Disney to name one just offered the entire graduating class of a school in Arizona. I remember an article recently about how many A&P school graduates leave aviation career ...