Return to Service

We're joined by Joe Peebles of JP Aerotechnics, and AOG company focused on supporting a majority of the major 135 charter operators throughout the US. Joe is also the Founder of Higher Vets, a non-profit aimed at helping returning veterans get reacclimated to life at home, finding jobs, and building a support network.

Greg Johnson, CEO of Tuvoli, joins to discuss the company's focus on enhancing charter sales and payment processing for the aviation industry. He outlines the challenges faced by charter operators and brokers, particularly in customer interactions and payment workflows. Greg walks through Tuvoli's innovative solutions that streamline these processes, improve efficiency, and integrate seamlessly with existing scheduling software. He also highlights the growth of Tuvoli's marketplace and the advanced lead generation tools available for charter operators.

NBAA:

Tuvoli will be at West Hall Both 3201

EBIS will be at West Hall Booth 2621 with Tronair

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Tuvoli and Its Mission

02:50 Challenges in Charter Sales and Payment Processing

06:02 Streamlining Payment Workflows for Charter Operators

08:57 Integrating with Scheduling Software for Efficiency

12:00 Innovations and Future Directions at NBAA

Greg Heine, SVP of JSSI Maintenance Software joins us to discuss the evolution of JSSI over 35 years, the role of Traxall in the JSSI maintenance ecosystem, challenges faced by customers in aircraft maintenance management, and the importance of navigating change during technology implementation. They also share insights on successful software implementations and look ahead to the upcoming NBAA event.

JSSI will be at West Hall Booth 2629 - Booth reception will be Wednesday night at the show

EBIS will be at West Hall Booth 2621 with Tronair

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to JSSI and Its Evolution

02:04 Traxxall's Role in the JSSI Ecosystem

04:19 Challenges in Aircraft Maintenance Management

08:12 Navigating Change in Maintenance Processes

10:09 Lessons from Past Implementations

14:31 Looking Ahead to NBAA

Andy Yanka, VP of Aircraft Services for the Axcess Group and Moyer Aviation joins to discuss the steps they took to successfully roll out their work order and parts management system.

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Yanka, VP of Aircraft Services for the Axcess Group and Moyer Aviation.

As an EBIS customer, Andy has been great to work with, and the more we learned about how he implemented the software, it was a no-brainer to have him on to walk through the process.

This is valuable insight for any leader in the MRO space considering making a change to their current work order management system. It's a big undertaking and can seem daunting, but Andy's approach made it as smooth as possible.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Andy assessed their internal challenges and developed requirements for vendors and solutions

• How he built his criteria and assess which vendor would work best for their operation

• How he mapped out current processes, ran trial periods and implemented in phases

• How he supported his team during go-live

• How he invested in the tools to unlock hidden efficiencies within their operation

If you're interested in exploring the same process for your operation, we have two resources you may find useful:

Maintenance Efficiency Assessment: https://www.ebiscloud.com/quiz

Webinar: Do More With Less: 5 Steps to Increasing Technician Efficiency: https://www.ebiscloud.com/do-more-with-less-5-steps-to-increasing-technician-efficiency

In this episode of the Return to Service podcast, host Santosh Nachu sits down with Ben Reeves, Vice President of Sales at PowerStow, to explore the company’s innovative roller track system, designed to eliminate the need for manual baggage handling on aircraft. They delve into the importance of reducing workplace injuries in the baggage handling industry and how technology is enhancing equipment reliability and maintenance. Ben also shares his retirement plans and passion for boating. Finally, they look ahead to the GSE Expo in Europe and the significance of networking and fostering industry relationships in the GSE industry.

Aspire MRO and Launch Technical Workforce Solutions are working together on a large project to convert triple sevens from passenger to freighter. The demand for these conversions is driven by the aging wide body fleet and the need for more efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft. The project involves extensive engineering and installation work, with Mammoth handling the engineering and parts acquisition and Aspire MRO handling the installations. The process of getting the STC and engineering done takes several months, and once that is completed, the production phase begins. Aspire MRO is focused on creating a culture that attracts and retains talented technicians, and they are also prioritizing diversity in their workforce. Aspire MRO and Launch Technical Workforce Solutions have formed a successful partnership based on trust, collaboration, and a shared culture. Aspire MRO provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for the aviation industry, while Launch Technical Workforce Solutions supplies skilled technicians. The key to their success lies in attracting and retaining the right people, paying competitive rates, offering overtime opportunities, and providing a path to promotion and leadership. The companies have also embraced digitalization, going paperless and implementing efficient processes that improve productivity and accountability. The culture of respect, fairness, and collaboration is a driving force behind their success.

Takeaways

The demand for triple seven conversions from passenger to freighter is driven by the aging wide body fleet and the need for more efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft.

The conversion process involves extensive engineering and installation work, with Mammoth handling the engineering and parts acquisition and Aspire MRO handling the installations.

The process of getting the STC and engineering done takes several months, and once that is completed, the production phase begins.

Aspire MRO is focused on creating a culture that attracts and retains talented technicians, and they are also prioritizing diversity in their workforce. The partnership between Aspire MRO and Launch Technical Workforce Solutions is built on trust, collaboration, and a shared culture.

Attracting and retaining the right people is crucial for success, and this is achieved through competitive pay rates, overtime opportunities, and a clear path to promotion and leadership.

Digitalization and efficient processes have improved productivity and accountability within the companies.

The culture of respect, fairness, and collaboration is a driving force behind the success of Aspire MRO and Launch Technical Workforce Solutions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:12 Demand for Triple Seven Conversions

06:43 The Engineering and Installation Process

09:21 From STC to Production

14:38 Tackling the Technician Shortage

24:55 Building a Successful Partnership Based on Trust and Collaboration

38:50 Embracing Digitalization for Improved Efficiency

45:32 A Culture of Respect, Fairness, and Collaboration

Summary: In this episode, Rick Ochs, CEO of Spirit Aeronautics, joins with Chris to delve into critical aspects of running a successful FAA Part 145 avionics shop. They discuss what it takes to create an environment where technicians can thrive and open and honest discussions can lead to innovative breakthroughs and solutions. The conversation highlights the ever-changing industry of aircraft avionics, the new solutions available from providers like Starlink, OneWeb and Gogo, and the upcoming obsolescence of air to ground internet connectivity on nearly 3,000 business jets by the end of 2025. They cover what it takes to create strong relationships with OEM avionics providers, and how that strong relationship is mutually beneficial to the OEM, avionics provider and the customer. Rick also discusses his involvement with the Youth Aviation Adventure Program, which aims to inspire and educate young people about aviation careers.

Takeaways

• Flight operations quality assurance (FOQA) is a powerful tool for analyzing aircraft data and improving safety and maintenance.

•Partnerships and collaborations are crucial for bridging technology gaps and driving innovation in the aviation industry. Creating a positive work environment and fostering a culture of teamwork and learning is crucial for the success of an avionics shop.

•Obsolescence is a major challenge in the avionics industry, and constant upgrades and solutions are necessary to keep up with technological advancements.

•Partnership relationships with OEMs are important for managing and maintaining avionics systems.

•The Youth Aviation Adventure Program is a valuable initiative that inspires and educates young people about careers in aviation.

Tim Wade, Director of Environmental Health and Safety for FlexJet, discusses the importance of a strong safety reporting system and the processes he implemented at Constant Aviation and FlexJet. He emphasizes the need for easy and streamlined reporting, utilizing QR codes and online forms. Tim also highlights the value of data in identifying trends and making improvements, as well as the importance of building trust and a reporting culture within the organization. He shares insights on metrics, risk assessments, and the role of leadership in promoting safety.

Takeaways

Implementing a streamlined safety reporting system, such as QR codes and online forms, can encourage employees to report incidents and hazards more easily.

Data analysis is crucial in identifying trends and making improvements in safety practices.

Building trust and a reporting culture within the organization is essential for effective safety reporting.

Metrics, such as the number of reports per 10,000 hours and the number of medium or higher risk reports, can provide valuable insights into the organization's safety performance.

Leadership plays a critical role in promoting safety and creating a culture of continuous improvement.

Chapters

06:02 Transitioning from Constant Aviation to FlexJet

07:48 Implementing a Streamlined Safety Reporting System

14:55 Using Data to Drive Safety Improvements

24:49 Metrics: Measuring Safety Performance

28:04 The Role of Leadership in Promoting Safety

31:54 Overseeing Safety for a Global Organization

36:58 Concluding Remarks and Contact Information

Summary

Rodrigo Goncalves, Founder and Owner of RG Aviation, shares his experience of obtaining the 145 cert for his repair station. He explains that the process involved building relationships with the FAA, being persistent, and working diligently. He emphasizes the importance of tool calibration, organization, and cleanliness in the shop. Rodrigo also recommends seeking help from professionals for writing manuals and not getting discouraged by the cost. He highlights the need to follow approved manuals and be prepared for base inspections. Overall, the process took about two years, but Rodrigo's determination and teamwork led to the successful certification of his repair station. RG Aviation focuses on maintaining a clean and organized shop to ensure safety and efficiency. Rodrigo instills a strong work ethic and leads by example, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and organization. He believes that a clean shop reflects positively on the company and instills confidence in customers. Rodrigo's goal is to provide jobs and help his team succeed. RG Aviation offers aircraft maintenance services, including scheduled and unscheduled inspections, STC installations, and rotor and fixed-wing maintenance. Rodrigo acknowledges the shortage of mechanics and aims to create a repair station with a better work-life balance.

Takeaways

Building relationships with the FAA and seeking guidance from professionals can help in the process of obtaining the 145 cert.

Persistence and determination are key to overcoming challenges and delays in the certification process.

Tool calibration, organization, and cleanliness are crucial for maintaining a repair station.

Following approved manuals and being prepared for base inspections are essential for compliance.

Obtaining the 145 cert can open up opportunities for career progression and owning a repair shop. Maintaining a clean and organized shop is crucial for safety and efficiency in aircraft maintenance.

Leading by example and instilling a strong work ethic is essential for creating a productive and organized work environment.

RG Aviation offers a range of aircraft maintenance services, including inspections and STC installations.

There is a shortage of mechanics in the industry, and creating a repair station with a better work-life balance can help attract and retain talent.

Chapters

02:05 Motivation behind Obtaining the 145 Cert

04:06 The Application Process

06:19 Writing Manuals and Getting Help

08:24 Submitting Documents and Revisions

11:04 Revisions and Process Details

13:21 Importance of Ease and Flexibility in Manuals

20:29 Maintaining a Clean and Organized Shop

23:34 Aircraft Maintenance Services Offered

36:09 Addressing the Shortage of Mechanics

Suresh Narayanan, CEO of Jets MRO, discusses the issue of technician turnover in the maintenance market. He explains that mechanic turnover rates are between 40 and 50 percent, which leads to delays and increased costs for operators. To address this problem, Narayanan created Jets MRO with a focus on improving culture, leadership, benefits, and schedule for mechanics. By giving employees ownership and sharing financial information, Narayanan has fostered a culture of engagement and alignment. This approach has resulted in a robust pipeline of mechanics and improved on-time performance for the company. Jets MRO is a new startup MRO company that aims to fix the broken processes in the aviation industry. They focus on treating mechanics better and providing transparency to customers. The company is built for mechanics, and their customers are maintenance managers and DOMs of fleets or multiple aircraft. Jets MRO offers scheduled maintenance, drop-in services, and pre-purchase inspections. They are also building partnerships with other companies to provide a more holistic service to their customers. The company is focused on being professional, transparent, and customer-centric.