Temperature testing is becoming a trend. Some buildings require you to lean forward while they point the laser at your head, other places work on the honor system and ask if you have a high temperature. Soon airports and public gathering areas will have automated temperature systems to screen high fevers – all as part of our new normal.
At Twin Commander we are taking temperatures as well. Recognizing that the safety of our workforce is primary, every day we ask the staff to take their temperature at the gate. We’re also wearing masks, and like I mentioned in the last column, washing hands frequently. Keeping everyone safe benefits our employees and our customers. We are committed to staying open and operating at full capacity during these uncertain times. When you need something, be it a part, some advice, or to give us the latest goings-on in the field, we want to be sure that someone will be here to answer the phone. We want to be sure that engineering programs continue, and that we are doing everything we can to support owners, operators, and the independently owned Twin Commander Factory Authorized Service Centers.
I’ve also been using this time to take the temperature of the business. And from where I sit, the company is poised for the future and healthy. We recently hired Andrew Wilson to be the next Technical Service Manager, a critical position that interacts with the Factory Authorized Service Centers. He will make sure the technicians in the field have the resources they need to do their jobs. Andrew is an up-and-comer in aviation. He started wrenching on motorcycles when he was a kid and since then he has worked on everything from small pistons to military hardware. His most recent position was managing a large fleet of twin turboprops, so he is well accustomed to what it takes to keep airplanes in the air.
Andrew is also that rare breed who loves the mechanical aspects of the machine but wants to enjoy the operating experience, too. He rode the motorcycles he worked on, and he’s been a pilot for many years. That will help him build a rapport with owners as well.
We also recently hired Pam Moore as a librarian. Pam will help organize engineering and technical services in a way that will enable us to respond faster and more efficiently to the needs of owners and the Factory Authorized Service Centers.
Finally, when I evaluate the plans for the next year and review all that we’re working on today, I see a robust series of engineering and parts initiatives that are responsive to our customers and critical to keeping our fleet active and relevant. We’re also embarking on a more formal program of evaluating all our legacy parts offerings and shortages, and Custom Kit opportunities, looking for even more ways to keep the fleet in top shape.
Our business is looking healthy, the industry is looking healthy and, hopefully, all of us will remain healthy as well. I know these have been difficult times for many, but when I look forward, I see only blue skies ahead.
