Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Operating Directly in Flight
Airbus, a leading aviation company, is addressing the anticipated global shortage of over 700,000 aircraft maintenance technicians and engineers by 2040 with significant investments in innovative training tools and workforce development initiatives.
Christophe Ponnet, the Maintenance Training Operations Director at Airbus Customer Services, has stated that there will be a significant demand for these professionals over the next 15 to 20 years. To meet this demand, Airbus is collaborating with various organizations, schools, and universities worldwide.
One of the key innovations Airbus is deploying is the use of augmented-reality (AR) work instructions and remote inspection technologies. These digital tools provide real-time guidance to technicians, simulating hands-on maintenance procedures, and helping to overcome the multi-year challenge of replenishing skilled labor pipelines.
Airbus also emphasizes continuous apprenticeship pipelines to develop new technicians alongside leveraging advanced technologies. This approach helps embed practical skills and adapts to evolving aircraft maintenance demands, including compliance with stricter environmental standards that require regular retraining.
In addition to these efforts, Airbus has introduced Airbus Competence Training (ACT) for Academy, a version of the ACT suite used for type qualifying mechanics on Airbus-built aircraft. This programme is designed to support academies in bringing initial and basic training efforts upstream in the education path.
By adopting the Airbus solution, partners can enhance their academic prestige and respond to aviation's highly digital environment. The programme includes providing access to modern training and supporting material, training of the management, quality, and instructor teams, and defining recommendations for classrooms, labs, and other facilities.
The ACT for Academy solution includes a 3D virtual Airbus aircraft, virtual cockpit, virtual engines, and a walk-around trainer. This solution is already deployed at the home bases of airline customers around the world. The goal is to expand this network to help partners prepare the new generation of aircraft maintenance technicians and engineers.
By applying the Airbus solution, training schools can be brought up to the qualification levels required by national and international airworthiness authorities. The solution also offers scenario-driven exercises for typical aircraft systems maintenance tasks and general familiarization using Airbus courseware.
In conclusion, Airbus's combination of innovative technology and workforce development positions it proactively to meet the critical future needs of the commercial aviation industry. The company's efforts aim to mitigate the escalating technician shortage projected globally, ensuring the health and safety of the expanding aircraft fleet.
- To effectively address the anticipated global technician shortage in commercial aviation, Airbus is partnering with organizations in various industries, including technology, education-and-self-development, and finance, to build a robust workforce development program.
- In an effort to maintain the high standards of safety and efficiency in the aviation industry, Airbus is utilizing technology innovations like augmented-reality work instructions, remote inspection technologies, and the Airbus Competence Training (ACT) for Academy solution in their workforce development initiatives.
