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Mind the skill gap: rotorcraft industry in South America on the hunt for knowledge

2015.10.22

Recently, AugustWestland Brazilian subsidiary has announced its plans to build a massive helicopter maintenance facility near Sao Paulo. The news were positively greeted by both operators and government bodies since the need for appropriate MRO support has long been subject to growing concern in the region. However, prior to popping the champagne, we must first acknowledge that as of today, the region has no qualified manpower to work in such centres. 

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Shortage of maintenance staff poses a direct threat to the rotorcraft industry

2015.09.18

Combined with a predicted global growth in rotorcraft aviation, the decrease in the numbers of trainees – both civilian and military – is creating what many see as a looming shortage qualified personnel, especially mechanics. While more than 5 000 machines are expected to supplement the global fleet until 2019, the existing technical manpower qualified to maintain them is getting old and shrinking fast.

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Adapt or tap out – the inevitable future of helicopters

2015.07.30

Just last week, Sikorsky, one of the most renowned rotorcraft industry companies, was purchased by Lockheed for $9 billion. Previously, Sikorsky had startled the helicopter market by laying off almost 1400 workers due to a significant decline in oil & gas explorations around the globe. Back then, 80 per cent of all company sales came from offshore business and 90 per cent of all hours flown by the company’s commercial aircraft were the hours spent on offshore operations. Couple such focus on a single market with the historically low fuel prices and we’ve got a very sticky situation to solve for all – OEMs, owners and operators.

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The use of iPads to attract fresh helicopter maintenance workforce - only way to save the segment?

2015.07.07

Despite the previous buzz across the industry, the global rotorcraft community has not greeted the recent opening of Airbus Helicopter’s new training facility in Germany with a unanimous hurray. In fact, it has further fuelled the worldwide debate on whether rotorcraft industry will ever take stronger action to battle the ever-growing maintenance personnel challenge. According to the latest Global Helicopter Mechanic Shortage Survey, more than a third of the currently employed helicopter technicians are over 50 years of age and little is done to attract new talent. Nonetheless, there are ways – but we have to act now. 

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