Maintainer ???

This forum has been developed to discuss maintenance topics in Canada.

Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, North Shore

Post Reply
fleet16b
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1195
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:49 am
Location: aerodrome of democracy

Maintainer ???

Post by fleet16b »

When and why did this "Maintainer" thing come along ?
Was there all of a sudden an issue with being called a Mechanic , or is this just another example of political correctness running amok.
---------- ADS -----------
 
...isn't he the best pilot you've ever seen?....Yeah he is ....except when I'm shaving.........
Meecka
Rank 8
Rank 8
Posts: 799
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:03 pm
Location: The other side of sanity.

Re: Maintainer ???

Post by Meecka »

Oh my God! Why are people so fixated on what we call ourselves?

First people have an issue with the "Engineer" part of AME.
Now "Maintainer" is the dirty word.

Look, when people ask me what I do for a living I tell them I'm an AME. When that gets the blank look because they can't envision what that actually is, I tell them I'm an airplane mechanic. That usually gets the light of recognition to illuminate, and then a bunch of questions. During a conversation I can refer to myself as an AME, mechanic, or even maintainer, shit I've even used grease monkey, depends on who I'm talking to, and I certainly don't put any thought into it.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Last edited by Meecka on Fri Feb 26, 2016 10:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
fleet16b
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1195
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:49 am
Location: aerodrome of democracy

Re: Maintainer ???

Post by fleet16b »

Easy now Meeka
There is no disrespect intended.
Personally , I have no issue with either but prefer AME as its always been and see now reason to change that
I was just curious as to why and how this new name came about
---------- ADS -----------
 
...isn't he the best pilot you've ever seen?....Yeah he is ....except when I'm shaving.........
Meecka
Rank 8
Rank 8
Posts: 799
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:03 pm
Location: The other side of sanity.

Re: Maintainer ???

Post by Meecka »

Sorry...
I'm curious, Where did you see the change in name?
---------- ADS -----------
 
fleet16b
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1195
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:49 am
Location: aerodrome of democracy

Re: Maintainer ???

Post by fleet16b »

Meecka wrote:Sorry...
I'm curious, Where did you see the change in name?
Over the past few years I have seen the term used on various aviation Forums and websites
In fact the first time I think I heard it was thru your former employer VWC
Though I am not a fan of "Maintainers", I have no issue with it but prefer the traditional AME or Mechanic
---------- ADS -----------
 
...isn't he the best pilot you've ever seen?....Yeah he is ....except when I'm shaving.........
User avatar
PilotDAR
Rank 11
Rank 11
Posts: 4053
Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:46 pm
Location: Near CNJ4 Orillia, Ontario

Re: Maintainer ???

Post by PilotDAR »

I met a "maintainer" the other day. I know he was, as he was maintaining a plane when I met him. I suppose he is a mechanic too, I did not really stop to distinguish between the two terms. He might be an AME, or an AMO ACA, or SCA, I did not really get that far. So I know that I can accurately describe him as a "maintainer", and "mechanic" too, I suppose, but other descriptors would be assumptions I would rather avoid - particularly here!
---------- ADS -----------
 
fleet16b
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1195
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:49 am
Location: aerodrome of democracy

Re: Maintainer ???

Post by fleet16b »

I for one will stick with AME
That is the Term that been around the longest if I recall
I will get out my Dads credentials from the 30's pretty sure it was AME then also

"Under Canadian Federal Law, the release of maintenance work performed on aircraft in Canada - especially "transport category" fixed-wing aircraft or turbine powered helicopter aircraft must be accomplished by a person with specific training and licensing. These persons are individually licensed by the Canadian Federal Government through TC and are known as aircraft maintenance engineers or "AME's". While the term AME is not recognised by the Provincial Engineering Associations, AME's act on behalf of the Minister of Transport to ensure the safety of the Canadian Public with regard to the work performed during maintenance of certified aircraft"
---------- ADS -----------
 
...isn't he the best pilot you've ever seen?....Yeah he is ....except when I'm shaving.........
GyvAir
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1804
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:09 pm

Re: Maintainer ???

Post by GyvAir »

I've seen "maintainer" used occasionally to take in all the non-AME trades that are required to keep the aircraft flying and looking good.
CCAA has developed 29 Occupational Standards to support the aviation and aerospace occupations. Please click on a Standard to learn more about it.

Aerospace Materials Specialist*
Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Repair and Overhaul Technician*
Aircraft Interior Technician*
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Aircraft Mechanical Assembler
Aircraft Propeller Systems Technician*
Aircraft Reciprocating Engine Technician*
Aircraft Refueller
Aircraft Simulator Technician
Aircraft Structures Assembler
Aircraft Structures Technician*
Airport Airside Worker
Aviation Electrical / Electronics / Instrument Component Technician*
Aviation Ground Services Attendant
Aviation Machinist*
Aviation Maintenance Inspector
Aviation Maintenance Manager
Aviation Mechanical Component Technician*
Aviation Non-Destructive Inspection Technician*
Aviation Painter*
Aviation Special Processes Technician*
Aviation Welding Technician*
Avionics Maintenance Technician
Commercial Pilot
Composite Fabricator
Electrical / Electronic Assembler
Quality Assurance Manager
Quality Systems Auditor
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Program Administrator
(The word "maintainer" doesn't appear anywhere on the CCAA website, however)

The Maintainer's Creed:
---------- ADS -----------
 
CID
Rank 11
Rank 11
Posts: 3544
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2005 6:43 am
Location: Canada

Re: Maintainer ???

Post by CID »

Context is everything. All AMEs are licensed but not all "maintainers" are licensed. Its a general term and not everyone is familiar with what an AME is or the contradiction with "Engineering" in some circles.

So just as OBGYNs and Psychiatrists, and Urologists all sometimes call themselves "doctors", some people including some AMEs use "maintainer".

So what do you do? Easy answer for an AME in a crowd of laypersons, "I maintain aircraft." Or maybe "I'm an airplane mechanic." If the crowd consists of people in the Canadian aircraft industry "I'm an AME" has a lot more meaning.
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
PilotDAR
Rank 11
Rank 11
Posts: 4053
Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:46 pm
Location: Near CNJ4 Orillia, Ontario

Re: Maintainer ???

Post by PilotDAR »

These persons are individually licensed by the Canadian Federal Government through TC and are known as aircraft maintenance engineers or "AME's".
Of course, but I cannot assume that the person holding the wrench, for whom I am answering the question about maintaining the plane, is the person who will be [or could be] signing for the work. For years I was an SCA, but not an ACA nor AME, but before even that designation, I was a maintainer. Having surrendered my SCA, I'm still a maintainer.
CCAA has developed 29 Occupational Standards
... Well, I think they need at least 30, 'cause what I do for a living very certainly supports aviation, and is not mentioned at all in that list!
---------- ADS -----------
 
Post Reply

Return to “Maintenance”