What is the impact of next-generation technology to aircraft maintenance and skills and knowledge required of tomorrow's technicians?

Digital transmission from analogy has reached a global level. This shift has affected different sectors like economy, finance, aviation, education, security and, many others. Use of modern technology has been embraced and encouraged by almost every government in the world. For the past 4 decades, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering has been undergoing a dynamic evolution and growth especially in India. Technology has been advancing every dawn and this has been influencing all other sectors. Things are run in a digital mode. The next-generation technology has been taking root in our day-to-day life and Aircraft Maintenance has not been an exemption. The technicians and AME Engineers are expected to learn and do their job in a new way. They are expected to have some digital experience and orientations in colleges and institutions offering AME are done digitally to keep all students up-to-date.

The training is expected to be innovative and also mobile. This is meant to theoretically and practically prepare students to work on the new generation aircraft. The key objectives in the trainers mind is to produce more mobile, more suitable, more reliable, more diverse, more flexible and more competent AME Technicians.

The demand for modern or next-generation technology training is hiking in a rapid rate and aspirant students are greatly advised to join institutes offering digital and updated training. In the institutes, there will be use of tablets with micro-Sims fed with the AME training courses. Other technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have been incorporated in the lessons to bring the aircraft inside the class. Using these 3D Technologies, students have the ability to observe and learn even the interior and minor systems of an aircraft, things that could be impossible when physically observing an aircraft with our naked eyes. This will increase their accuracy and assertiveness. Relentless efforts are made every day to advance this technologies to make it easier for students to consume and understand these new learning methods.

The students are saying that the Augmented Realty is easier when using mobile devices like smartphones because they are common and were introduced introduce earlier. Almost everybody owns a smartphones and so this won’t be a problem. However, many institutes prefer using Virtual Reality technology for training purposes and orientations with different aircraft systems. The VR technology enables students to touch, look deeper and even dismantle objects virtually. This will enhance their understanding.

Future technicians are expected to have skills and knowledge to use digital equipment like Virtual Reality googles and 3D scanners to diagnose and maintain the aircraft. However, challenges like cost pose a great threat to institutions which don’t have the financial muscle to purchase or install these digital training. Also, younger students seem to be understanding the new technology training better than those using the older methods.

Institutes Offering AME courses are encouraged to adapt the next-generation technology training to could their technicians to be in a position to secure job positions in the future. IIA group of Institutes has already introduced next-generation technology training in their colleges. Visit us today to get the up-to-date training in your Aircraft MaintenanceEngineering Course.