Story ID: 
Training Aviation’s Top Techs
By: Martha Jercinovich
Caption: How to invest in the development of knowledgeable, motivated technicians.
Word Count: 689
High-performing technicians benefit all key aspects of a maintenance operation, from improved aircraft safety to increased dispatch reliability and efficiency. But, to achieve optimal success takes strategy and intention from flight operation leaders to empower their team with continued growth and advanced training opportunities.
Here to equip maintenance teams with the proven path work for practical, higher-level training is FlightSafety’s Master Technician program. The Master Technician training program offers a five-step, type-specific career development path. This comprehensive training program complements the experience gained from day-to-day operations while increasing knowledge and refining skills beyond the routine.
Expertise from the Ground Up
For decades FlightSafety International has been the go-to name in aviation training, providing both pilots and maintenance technicians with advanced courses designed to enhance overall aviation safety. Just as pilots are challenged with impactful scenario-based training, technicians who train with FlightSafety are immersed in a learning environment specifically designed to replicate real-life troubleshooting issues and events.
Backed by FlightSafety’s highly qualified maintenance professionals, the Master Technician programs offer technicians tailored curriculums that intermix in-depth instruction with practical application. Each of the six certificates is designed to build upon your team’s technical abilities while improving future awareness, troubleshooting and problem-solving.
For nearly 30 years, the Master Technician program has earned graduates industry recognition, career development opportunities and increased proficiency. Close to 6,000 Master Technician graduates now serve across the industry worldwide.
Advancing Your Airframe Acumen
One of the most popular and applied Master Technician certificates is Airframe. Developed in close collaboration with the manufacturers, the Airframe program presents practical models that show exactly what is needed for mastering the type aircraft you maintain.
By working directly with the OEMs, FlightSafety accesses in-depth knowledge around each aircraft’s design, operation and support. Utilizing actual problems being experienced by operators in the field, techs will face increasingly challenging airframe-specific instruction and hands-on practical training.
As any component changes on an aircraft, so do the courses and instructions. You know you’re always working with the most up-to-date equipment and information. And if your flight department has a specific need, FlightSafety can tailor courseware and curriculum to meet those requirements.
To earn the Airframe certificate, technicians must complete the four mandatory core courses below, plus one course from the list of four electives: Airframe Practical 5- or 10-Day, Aircraft-Specific Fault Analysis, Aircraft-Specific Engine Run and Taxi, Aircraft-Specific Avionics.
	Aircraft-Specific Initial	Aircraft-Specific Update	Aircraft-Specific Advanced Troubleshooting	Aircraft-Specific Operational Maintenance Procedures
After successfully finishing the Airframe courses, schedules and examinations, students join the elite group of Master Technicians – and why stop there? Frequently, a technician expands their capabilities by seeking multiple Master Tech certificates. 
A Top-Level View
Once one Master Technician certificate is achieved, participants can fast track to earning additional certificates, further expanding their skillset and professional abilities. FlightSafety offers six total certificates:
	Airframe – builds on initial skills and knowledge with increasingly challenging airframe-specific instruction and hands-on practical training.	Avionics – takes focused elective courses on a range of the newest technology installed in modern aircraft.	Cabin systems – allows in-depth cabin communication and cabin management training to troubleshoot issues.	Composites – delivers an overview of composite use in airframes and builds skills in both repair and fabrication of composite structures.	Engine-specific – in-depth Honeywell or Pratt & Whitney Canada engine-specific training, including line and base instruction and engine condition trend monitoring.	Management – prepares technicians to lead aviation departments and to interact with customers, managers and co-workers.Continually Commit to Excellence
Adding advanced learning can translate positively across a technician’s skills, peers, career, workplace and more. FlightSafety’s Master Technician courses improve individual and overall air safety through training based on real-life events and the proper corrective and preventative measures and responses.
Aviation values technicians who know their craft and have received the highest level of training from expert instructors and programs. The results show up in the work they do every day. Find out more about how Master Technician training can impact your career or flight department.