Articles for category Maintenance Minute
|
Nov
18
2024
|
|
Posted by Admin
|
|
It never ceases to amaze me how humanity will step up and do what’s right when urgent need arises. Once again, this was the case in late September 2024 when Hurricane Helene rolled in to the mountains of western North Carolina via Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Helene brought torrential rainfall which caused massive flooding and landslides that decimated highways, bridges, homes, and entire towns leaving death and destruction in her path. In short order, civilian helicopter owners and pilots had their machines on site delivering supplies and rescuing people. At one time during the first couple of weeks of rescue I was following over thirty helicopters on Flight Radar online. The unpaid team of civilians and veterans assembled, organized, and began a targeted action for rescue including flight plans and communication that would ensure everyone’s safety.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
|
Oct
25
2024
|
|
Posted by Admin
|
|
As I sat at my desk on 27 August contemplating what to write for this month’s article, I received news that two Delta Airline mechanics had died, and one mechanic was severely injured in the shop when a tire exploded. What a tragic accident and my heart goes out to their families and to the Delta family. This accident hit close to home and it got me thinking about how dangerous the career field we have chosen can be at times.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
|
Sep
23
2024
|
|
Posted by Admin
|
|
The responsibility for staying safe in the workplace rests with each individual…especially those who work in a dangerous environment. Yes, the company has rules and regulations, policies and procedures but if we don’t adhere to them what good are they? If we choose not to wear hearing protection, should we complain when our hearing suffers? Should someone be required to tell us to wear PPE when it’s provided, and the expectation is for us to wear it? Why do we put off required safety training until the last minute? Why is safety training treated like just something we must comply with year after year?
[Read More...]
Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
|
Aug
29
2024
|
|
Posted by Admin
|
|
When I was growing up it was common for people to work for the same company for an entire career. Today people seem to come and go from jobs as fast as a spinning tail rotor. The decision to invest in young inexperienced mechanics is sometimes met with opposition when history shows they will not hesitate to move on to the next shiny thing.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
|
Jul
22
2024
|
|
Posted by Admin
|
|
In this crazy world many people believe that it is acceptaåble to have low expectations and operate with low standards. I’m not one of those people. Helicopter mechanics must choose to step up to a higher level of service. Ziz Zigler said “ability is important in our quest for success, but dependability was critical.” I maintain that ability and skill and knowledge are imperative but what good are those if one is not dependable? How effective is an EMS helicopter mechanic who chooses to ignore the phone when a pilot calls; leaving the crew and aircraft stranded in a field or on a highway? Who does it serve if we don’t require our mechanics to be a cut above? Does it really matter if we have mechanics that will install bolts but only start the nuts without any torque or cotter pins?
[Read More...]
Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
|
Jun
26
2024
|
|
Posted by Admin
|
|
The year was 1972. At 12 years old, I spent most of my time playing baseball, fishing, and riding my dirt bike. I was living the dream, and I didn’t even know it. That was also the year the great movie Jeremiah Johnson was released. Robert Redford played the lead. If you haven’t watched it: stop right now and put it on your “to do” list.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
|
May
27
2024
|
|
Posted by Admin
|
|
Last month the aviation industry lost a great man, and I lost one of my closest, most cherished friends. This guy was a everything… a friend, mentor, and brother. I say “lost” but he is not lost because I know where he is.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
|
Apr
29
2024
|
|
Posted by Admin
|
|
Recently, I was asked to be a guest speaker at DaVinciSKY annual leadership meeting. If you don’t
[Read More...]
Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
|
Feb
23
2024
|
|
Posted by Admin
|
|
There is a monster in the hangar. I’m not sure how it got in but it’s high time it left. The monster’s name is Distractions. We must focus to minimize and eliminate Distractions, or it can be financially costly or even dangerous. The Aviation Human Factors Dirty Dozen listed on www.FAASafety.gov defines distractions as anything that draws your attention away from the task at hand. It goes on to say that distractions are the number one cause of forgetting things, including what has or has not been done in a maintenance task.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
|
Jan
25
2024
|
|
Posted by Admin
|
|
Recently I was asked to be the guest speaker at DavinciSKY Leadership Conference. My topic was titled, “One Way to Excellence.” Just before I spoke to the group, I met with some of the linemen that worked for the company. DavinciSKY is a business with a long-standing history in the electrical power industry. These are the guys that hang underneath the helicopter or work from the skid to clear power lines.
[Read More...]
Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute