Minnesota Maintenance Tech Conference Returns

The 2022 Minnesota Aviation Maintenance Technician and IA Renewal Conference returned March 28-29 to the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center.

The two-day, in-person conference attracted almost 200 aviation maintenance professionals for continuing education, networking, and IA renewal. Industry exhibits featured the latest and best in aviation products, technology, and services.

The event continues to be a premier opportunity for aviation maintenance professionals to reconnect with old friends. Each year, it is sponsored and organized by the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Office of Aeronautics. This year featured speakers from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. General and breakout sessions filled both days.

Conference participants learned about the latest aircraft liability issues from both the FAA enforcement and civil liability perspectives, as well as recent enforcement cases involving maintenance providers, and civil liability aspects arising from aircraft maintenance. FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) data indicates almost 12% of all aircraft accidents reports cite a maintenance failure. And when failure or malfunction of aircraft equipment is part of an accident or incident, one-third of such malfunctions related to a maintenance error. Attendees also learned about the NTSB's mission and structure, and reviewed accident investigation case studies. The 15th Annual Aviation Maintenance Knowledge Bowl tested attendees' knowledge of general aviation, airframe, powerplant, and avionics subjects.

The 2022 Minnesota Aviation Career Forum was conducted concurrently with the first day of the technician and IA renewal conference. This event is geared towards high school students in grades 10 through 12; its focus is introducing young people to the vast array of career opportunities within the aviation industry. An allied goal is educating students on the brink of making college and career decisions about exciting aviation career options. Participating students networked with aviation industry leaders, Minnesota college and university representatives, vendors, and guest speakers to learn about employment opportunities in aviation and the necessary steps for a successful aviation career.