Estimated reading time 8 minutes, 43 seconds.
When a handful of aviation maintenance personnel gathered together in Alexandria, Louisiana, 57 years ago, it is doubtful they could have envisioned that they were laying the groundwork for what would become an annual meeting that is one of the premiere professional seminars in the region.
The Gulf South Aviation Maintenance Seminar (GSAMS) was first organized by the late Harold Summers, former VP of maintenance for Petroleum Helicopters, Inc (PHI) and director of flight operations for Helicopter Association International (HAI). His aim was to bring together mechanics, manufacturers, vendors, and regulators to share information, best practices, and experience, in both fixed- and rotor-wing segments, to make the industry safer.
The event was moved to Lafayette shortly after its founding, and in 1988, Summers brought on then-PHI maintenance instructor Jeffery Howard to assist. Now the director and managing partner of the GSAMS, Howard has persevered with Summers’ vision as the seminar is held every March.
“Over the many years we’ve been holding this, it has allowed us to bring together the people out there working on aircraft so we can talk about what is being done, and to help these people become leaders and to pass on what they have learned, as well as to learn new techniques themselves,” Howard explained to Vertical.
“We’ve been able to bring in the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration], manufacturers, and vendors to discuss best practices and help these mechanics become even better at their jobs,” he added.
Howard also stressed the importance of assisting attendees in becoming leaders in their profession.
“One of the things we want to do is encourage them to go from being that A&P mechanic when they get that opportunity to become a manager, to learn how to deal with people, learn how to be that manager, to go to that next level.”
To achieve these goals, March 27 and 28, 2024, was set aside for a packed schedule of training seminars. Following the welcoming and open session by Howard, Michael Hall from the FAA Baton Rouge FSDO safety team spoke to the group about certificate renewals, accident investigations, regulatory issues, and the compliance program.
For attendees from the helicopter world, daily presentations included discussions of technical updates on light and intermediate Bell aircraft, inspection and care of elastomeric components by Parker/Lord, Arriel and Arrius engine updates from Safran, a brief on the M250 powerplant by Rolls-Royce, and talks on the EC135 and AS350 from Airbus.
Airplane maintainers were treated to talks on corrosion prevention from Lear Chemical, battery airworthiness by Concorde Batteries, examination of Lycoming and Continental engines by the OEMs, lighting and LED upgrades by Whelen, and more. Howard also provided sessions on various topics.
In addition to providing valuable training on their respective products, 35 manufacturers and service providers met with showgoers in the exhibit hall.
One of the most talked about topics was the hiring and retention of maintenance personnel. While there is concern over the difficulty in finding qualified talent, the inclusion of booths representing aviation maintenance technology programs from both the Baton Rouge and South Louisiana Community Colleges, along with numerous students, was a positive sign.
“There is a need on the maintenance side and that’s what we’re trying to encourage,” Howard said.
For more than 20 years, a highlight of the event has been the annual Cajun Crawfish Boil. Hosted jointly by neighboring Masco Service and Arrow Aviation, this evening of celebration followed much of the history of the GSAMS.
“This started as just something to do during the conference and it has grown to what we have today,” Clay Massey, VP of Masco, told Vertical.
From 50 lb. of crawfish — a Louisiana favorite — and a few dozen people over two decades ago, the event has become a community staple.
“This year, we’ll have nearly 1,500 people that we’ll serve around 5,000 lb. of crawfish to,” Massey said. Much like the GSAMS, this yearly celebratory gathering has become more than just about aviation.
“The beauty of the whole party is we’re putting the whole industry together,” said Massey. “OEMs, operators, competitors, and the community are all here under one roof to have a good time. We couldn’t do it without the sponsors — we’re proud to be a part of it.”
All profits from the events are donated to local charities, such as the veteran’s organization.
“Our goal has always been to help in professional development, to provide the tools of knowledge which will help them today and tomorrow,” said Howard of the event’s purpose. “It is my goal to continue that effort.”
More information on next year’s event can be found at www.gsams.org.
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