Inspiring, recruiting new aviation technicians

Airlines and aviation manufacturers are working to cultivate the next generation of aviation technicians with outreach efforts, apprenticeships and scholarships. “It’s a challenge that we have really embraced over the last five years in the airline industry because without technicians, the planes don’t fly, just as surely as they don’t fly without pilots,” said Bob Ireland, managing director for engineering and maintenance at Airlines for America, who moderated a panel discussion at SAE International’s annual AeroTech event.