From April 21-23, ARSA Vice President of Operations Brett Levanto played multiple roles in telling the industry’s story during Aviation Week’s MRO Americas in Orlando, Florida.

While on-site to support the ARSA-sponsored Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition, Levanto made multiple onstage appearances on April 22. He joined Tom Hoferer, senior vice president of repair and engineering at association member AAR Corp, and Aero Norway CEO Neil Russell, in discussing “Critical Issues in MRO.” Making the most of the short panel charged with capturing everything “critical” in a sprawling industry, Levanto encouraged attendees to “look in the mirror” for compliance.

“Let’s be less concerned with what the authorities will do,” he said in response to a question about how the FAA and international civil aviation authorities can maintain “rigorous oversight.” “Instead, the industry’s responsibility is to rigorous in its demonstration of compliance and standing up for our collective responsibility for safety within performance based regulatory structures.”

The afternoon brought a far different audience: high school and college students from the Orlando area visiting the convention for aerospace industry exposure. After hype music and loud introductions, Levanto joined four panelists in continuing to “hype” maintenance careers.

“Focus on technicians for a second,” he said after imploring the students to recognize that every job is an aerospace job. “I’ll tell you our hidden secret: If you pursue work in maintenance, you’re going to be incredibly valuable to all of the businesses you saw downstairs [on the show floor] but you are going to be equally valuable any where you want to go.”

Emphasizing this final point, Levanto then fielded questions from the group. “There were aerospace engineering students considering additional technical education and high school aged private pilots weighing professional pathways,” he said after the event. “These kids are amazing and we have a place for them.”

While not on stage or behind-the-scenes at the competition, Levanto got out in support of industry colleagues. At the MRO Americas opening session on April 22, he helped spotlight Choose Aerospace Executive Director Crystal Maguire when she was called upon by Aviation Week President Greg Hamilton. He remained in the ballroom to celebrate the awarding of Airlines for America’s “Nuts & Bolts” Award to former A4A Vice President of Engineering & Maintenance (and longtime ARSA colleague) Bob Ireland.

For complete MRO Americas information, click here.

For a complete wrap of this year’s AMC Competition at MRO Americas including photos and resources for getting involved, click here to go to the Competition website. 

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