Top Stories
Down to business
By FLGOFF Eamon Hamilton

Volume 49, No. 02, February 22, 2007
 
FOCUSED: ACAUST AVM John Quaife addresses the assembly at the WOFF (Engineer) forum.
Photo by LAC Ben Dempster
Aircraft technicians can expect improvements in the way business is done in the hangar this year as changes flow from a forum of Warrant Officer Engineers at RAAF Base Glenbrook.

ACAUST AVM John Quaife convened the February 6-7 conference to discuss issues impacting on the on-line availability (OLA) of ADF aircraft. Held for WOFF (Engineers) only, the conference attracted an unprecedented attendance with every Air Force flying unit represented. The group of 60 also included some of their civilian contractor counterparts and senior NCOs from Navy and Army aviation.

“My interest in engaging the WOFF (ENG) comes from the fact that they are the key leadership group for our technical airmen,” AVM Quaife said. “If we’ve got issues that need to be improved for better productivity, it’s the WOFF (ENG) who are going to deliver that.”

After the forum, AVM Quaife met all FEG Commanders at RAAF Base Richmond and relayed the outcomes.

“I’ve got the assurance of all FEG Commanders that they’ll work with the WOFF (ENG) of all of their groups to help them realise the various programs and initiatives from the forum,” AVM Quaife said.

The forum also offered a voice to SNCO engineers in the Navy and Army aviation groups, who presented their experiences and initiatives before the Air Force gathering.

Despite the various backgrounds represented, all had some consensus regarding the different problems confronted in keeping aircraft airborne. Emphasis was placed on resolving issues that WOFF (ENG) had a direct influence over, with the forum proving an opportunity to swap solutions in the hope of ‘cross-pollinating’ ideas.

“I was particularly pleased by the ownership displayed by the WOFF (ENG) of the issues that we’re facing in the production of serviceable airframes,” AVM Quaife said.

One such example came from WOFF (ENG) 76SQN, WOFF David Slattery, who presented a case study on changes made to increase the OLA of airframes.

In 76SQN’s case, answers were as simple as providing a broader picture of the unit’s operational work to the technicians via a noticeboard, and the CO’s recognition of the good work being done in the hangar.

“One initiative I’m excited to see come out of this [forum] is better development programs for our trade supervisors and NCOs, and better alignment of our planning processes,” AVM Quaife said, “particularly between operational plans and maintenance plans, as well as greater accountability being taken for standards of performance across the command. I expect this will result in better performance in OLA targets.”