Aviation Associations

Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) are the two organizations I plan to join in the future.  I find that the future of aviation in the military is a growing part of our Nations’ defense; both pilots and mechanics are needed to make this possible.  Having served 8 years as a B-52H crew chief in the United States Air Force I know first-hand the way policy makers think about old aircraft and the importance of well-designed and effective equipment.  The B-52 gets the job done, time after time and is still being called on and is projected to be in service until 2042.  This proves that it needs more attention and dedication to make the mission go smoothly.  “The industry had its formal beginnings in America when Henry Knox, the first U.S. Secretary of War, commissioned six naval frigates for the U.S. Navy in 1794” (AIA 2016).  When it comes to our country and defending it, the consideration of new and improved technology is always welcome.
The second association I would like to be a part of in the near future is PAMA. As a mechanic knowing what it takes to make a B-52 mission ready having an association that caters to mechanics as the unsung heroes of aviation deserves the recognition. As we say in the Air Force “it takes a college education to break it and a high school diploma to fix it”.  I also believe at knowing your equipment and how it operates will help you to troubleshoot and to come to a solution in desperate times.  
AIA is involved in four different aspects of the aviation industry: civil aviation, space systems, international, defense and security and technical operations and workforce. The organization also partnered with Aerospace States Association (ASA) “…representing aerospace manufacturers have signed a historic agreement to grow high paying jobs, increase economic development and inspire America’s youth to join the aerospace workforce of the future” (AIA 2016). AIA is dedicated to protecting our men and women on the battlefield by being “the voice of American aerospace and defense” industry. This organization advocates for new technologies that will benefit the American way of life.
As for PAMA “The mission of PAMA is to promote continuous improvement in aviation safety by enhancing the professionalism and recognition of the Aviation Maintenance technician through communication, education, representation and support” (PAMA 2016).  This organization is geared at improving new methods and skills in the aviation maintenance field while maintaining professionalism.
These associations are important to me because you should never forget or turn your back from what made you the person you are today. I am who I am because of the experiences I have endured in my 8 years of military service.  The way of thinking, the mind set and the honing of senses cannot be bought. Pilot cannot fly without mechanics and mechanics have no job without pilots.  I am now able to speak both “languages” in order to have a better understanding of the task when the two sides don’t see eye to eye.  Some do not see the sacrifices pilots endure and the long hours of travel to end up sleeping in uncomfortable circumstances; the same can then be said about mechanics trying to duplicate errors that occurred during flight on the ground.  I hope to be an advocate for such organizations once I am a certified pilot so that I can contribute my experiences to the field.

Reference

Mission, Vision & Values. (2016). Retrieved April 03, 2016, from http://www.aia-aerospace.org/about/mission_vision_values/


PAMA - Home. (2015). Retrieved April 04, 2016, from http://pama.wildapricot.org/