AMC Representatives Engage Global Leaders at AEI Congress in Sydney

AMC Vice President Ken MacTiernan and President, The Honorable John Goglia, recently returned from a successful visit to the Aircraft Engineers International (AEI) 2024 Congress in Sydney. There, they highlighted the growth and impact of the Aerospace Maintenance Council’s renowned event, The Competition.

AMC leadership met with representatives from 14 countries to discuss The Competition’s expanding global reach, including The Competition at MRO Americas, presented by Snap-on, and the latest addition, The Competition at VERTICON. Conversations centered on strategies to attract younger generations, particularly women, to aviation maintenance careers and considered the idea of introducing AMT Day-style recognition events worldwide to honor aviation maintenance professionals.

In addition to AEI Congress activities, Ken and John visited Snap-on Australia's offices, where they were hosted by Managing Director Ajit Ponnambalam and National Industrial Business Development Manager Michael Collins. Snap-on’s commitment to supporting maintenance professionals was evident: the company recently donated three fully stocked rollaway toolboxes to local aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs), exceeding its initial pledge of starter kits. Ken and John were pleased to meet one of the recipients, AME Harry Knox, who expressed his gratitude for Snap-on’s generosity.

Later in the week, they toured TAFE NSW, meeting with instructors to discuss AMC’s mission and the importance of inspiring future aviation maintenance professionals. They also visited Qantas’s Sydney facilities, where, facilitated by Rod Wyse, President of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA), they observed licensed and certified AMEs working hands-on, including on a 737 MAX engine exhaust seal.

AMC leadership extends its gratitude to AEI for the invitation, Stephen Fotoulis of ALAEA for his support in Sydney, and American Airlines for travel assistance. We look forward to hosting Team AEI and Team ALAEA at The Competition at MRO Americas in Atlanta this spring!