AMTonline Blogs

For readers and visitors to our web site, who wonder how Bill is doing, here’s what we have learned from friends and former co-workers.

Bill was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (cll) in late June of this year after a routine cholesterol test uncovered abnormally high white blood cell counts in his blood. He researched the disease, had his condition assessed, interviewed a number of physicians (and their subsequent treatment plans) and made the decision to fight. Not only would he have the best doctors and treatment, but he rejected the notion of the disease holding any power over him – going as far to say that c-l-l was spelled in all lower case letters.

His first chemotherapy treatment in August left him pretty spent. The second chemotherapy treatment occurred early September and at first, it went as expected.  However, two weeks after the treatment, on Sept. 21; he ran a very high fever that necessitated a trip to the ER.  Diagnosed with septic shock and respiratory distress, Bill was given only the slightest chance of survival. The ensuing six weeks have been a roller coaster complete with ups, downs, and hairpin turns.

Details also are not useful and unimportant at this point but overall he has made progress.  That progress is neither as fast as his family would like, nor has it been without setbacks. We just need to keep hoping and praying that he continues to improve.

His family is grateful for the outpouring of support from all of Bill’s friends and colleagues over the past weeks. And asks for everyone to please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Get-well wishes can be sent to Bill O’Brien, 12508 Lt. Nichols Road, Fairfax, VA 22033

The last several weeks we’ve been providing Bill O’Brien’s address so readers can extend get well wishes to Bill and his family. He is still in intensive care but has improved from when he was first admitted to the hospital.

His contributions to the industry have been huge: involvement in the FAA, IA renewal speaker, AMT contributor, industry champion, the list goes on.

We would love to hear your stories on how Bill has influenced your life and career. Or other people that have influenced your career path. Mentors don’t always have to have recognizable names to have been influential in affecting the growth of the industry or having a positive effect on someone’s life or career.

Thanks for reading and please continue to keep Bill in your thoughts and prayers. Cards and letters can be sent to 12508 Lt. Nichols Rd., Fairfax, VA 22033-2412.

AMT has always been focused on the reader. Our editorial is targeted on the news, technology, and articles that benefit you, the aircraft mechanic.

This time it’s your turn. Once again we are having a contest choosing the best photo from our readers for our January/February cover. The winner will also receive $250.

For the Readers in Action contest we want  photos of readers on the job, in the hangar, working on an aircraft, or in the shop (extra points if AMT magazine is in the shot).

Let us hear from you. You can send high-res photos to editor@amtonline.com with Readers in Action Contest in the subject line. Or you can mail them to: Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Readers in Action Contest, 1233 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Deadline is December 1.

Be sure to include contact information so we can contact you if you win.

Good luck and thanks for reading. 

Steve Prentice reports in the October issue that, recently, the FAA and EASA entered into a bilateral safety agreement, (BASA). As Steve reports there are certain possible incursions into our regulatory process contained in this agreement in the name of safety and harmonization.

I recall in the early ‘90s speaking to an FAA person of some rank at a show. We were discussing the oncoming formation of the JAA in Europe. When I asked if the FAA was concerned that it might lose its leadership position in the aviation regulatory world, he said there was no way the Europeans would ever get it together. There were too many cultural, economic, and political differences.

Well look where we are now. It appears the United States will be following the lead of our counterparts overseas in many areas including maintenance operations. To say this will have no effect on how you do your job is probably naïve.

What do you think of what is going on with EASA and the FAA? Do you think it will or will not have an effect on how you do your job? Will more jobs be outsourced overseas because of this? What can be done to try to right the ship?

We look forward to hearing from you.

Next week just about every one involved in business aviation will be meeting in Orlando, just 85 miles from my home. Unfortunately, a prior commitment precludes me from attending this year, and I am going to miss it. The dates are October 6-8.

I recall my first NBAA. I’m fairly sure it was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Washington, D.C. I manned a booth that was part of the exhibits lining the walls of a lobby section. Has it ever grown! This is certainly a testament to the viability of this subset of aviation maintenance.

More than 30,000 attendees are expected. More than 1,000 exhibitors will be hawking their wares. Each day includes seminars, business meetings, manufacturer maintenance and ops meetings, social events, and new product announcements. It is an exciting time for those in this end of our business.

Hopefully, many of you will be in attendance. The AMT staff is looking forward to seeing you there. Please drop by booth #841 and say “hi.” Meet our staff and perhaps take the opportunity to tell us what we can do better to make the magazine more interesting and helpful to you.