With aviation maintenance continuing to face political and economic challenges, the discipline has become the focus of much speculation as to what the future holds, according to experts slated for Aviation Today’s next webinar. MRO Sector in 2009: New Procedures, New Realities is slated for July 30 at 11 am

Aviation Today's latest webinar includes four safety and business experts answering whether or not outsourcing reduces safety, one of the top hot topics before Congress today. The US clearly benefits from outsourcing with maintenance in-sourcing to American MROs far outweighing outsourcing to European MROs. However, it remains unclear as to whether that fact is being heard in the halls of Congress against the onslaught of union pressure and the new, more receptive labor and political environment that swept in with the Obama Administration.

Chronic mechanic shortages, the outlook for the after market and the devastating airline capacity reductions will be covered along with how long the boom in the Parts Manufacturer Approval industry. In addition, while Asia seems to be the hottest location these days, there is a question about whether the central location of the Middle East will prove a draw for MRO work, especially with the continuing expansion of the airline/aviation market there.

But the elephant in the room is the impact of continued pressure on maintenance and labor costs, especially given the safety issues being promoted by labor and other travel interests. Meanwhile, all this impacts the bottom line, making the webinar both timely and topical.

Speakers include Tom Boozer, commercial aviation consultant, G2 Solutions; Susan Fournier, founder and chief, AeroPro; Joy Finnegan, editor-in-chief, Aviation Maintenance magazine, and Ramon Lopez, editor-in-chief, Air Safety Week newsletter. Boozer, Fournier, Finnegan and Lopez discuss the biggest maintenance trends of 2009, providing provide fresh insights and actionable advice.

To sign up for The MRO Sector in 2009: New Procedures, New Realities click here.

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