Social Responsibilities of Air Transportation

1. Safety and security

Every year millions of people travel by air. Air safety and security is a vital element for travelers. Especially after the September 2001 incident at the World Trade Center.

Airlines, airports and the aviation authority have taken drastic measures to ensure air travel is safe.

Sometimes at the inconvenience of the travelers themselves. They have to follow strict body search at airports. Their hand carry luggage are subjected to thorough checks by airport security officers.

http://www.airsafe.com/

2. Environmental friendly

Aerospace industry and air travel are contributers of water, air and noise pollution. It also carry some dangerous goods as cargo on board the aircraft. Spillage of those dangerous goods like chemicals would have serious adverse effects on the environment.

The construction of airports, roads leading to it and other supporting infrastructures would damage the natural ecosystem if not properly manage. There is a requirement in most countries for an Environment Impact Assessment (E.I.A) to be carried out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_and_the_environment

3. Disabled and reduced mobility people

The requirements in many develop countries for access to air travel by this group of passenger is being supported by their respective governments.

In USA and UK regulations are enforced to ensure airlines and airports provide easy access to this group of people. In Malaysia pressure groups in the form of NGO are championing their cause.

http://www.caa.co.uk

4. Education, Research and Development

Aerospace scientists are pioneers in many technologies. Innovations and new inventions are many. In quite a number of aerospace nations we will find strong collaboration between the industry and the universities. The smart partnership is a win win for both the industries and the educational communities.

http://www.erau.edu/

5. Medical and Health

The technology developed for aerospace systems are now being used in the field of medical engineering. New smart materials are finding its uses in many surgeries and procedures that help patients.

Satellites are helping doctors to communicate with other remote hospitals around the world. In fact the advancement in satellite communication are making remotely controlled surgery a possibility in this era.

http://ipp.nasa.gov/innovation/

6. Search and Rescue

During the tsunami disaster in Acheh Indonesia the air rescue had played a very significant role in saving thousands of life. Airlift of injured people, dropping of food and medical supplies are carried out by aircrafts and helicopters during emergencies.

http://www.cnn.com

7. Quality of Life

Aerospace technology had changed the way people work, travel, communicate and exchange information. One would not be able to function properly if we are deprived of the modern technology and facilities accorded by the advancement in aerospace.

8. Information and communication

Aerospace technology greatest contribution apart from flying is in satellite communication. Many people lives are now depended on the system. Flight navigation, Global positioning , Tracking of goods, Weather forecast, Broadcasting, Mapping and etc.

http://www.insidegnss.com/

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Teamwork

Last week UniKL organized the annual student games. As a branch campus UniKL MIAT, participated in all the games.

Before the team departed for the games, there was a small function where I flagged off the team (sort off!). My expectations were for them to do well and enjoy all the games; soccer, rugby, netball, volleyball, badminton, takraw, ping pong and bowling.

The UniKL MIAT team did very well. They were in the second place among all the teams. Our soccer team lost narrowly in the semi final. Losing 1-2 in the extra-time. If they were to win that crucial match, UniKL MIAT will emerged as the overall champion of the games. Well that's what competition is all about, there are winners and there are losers. Nevertheless I was very happy with the outcome. We did not win the games but we gained valuable lessons....

I was happy because off the following:

• The teamwork displayed by all the UniKL MIAT players were beyond my expectation. This will go along way for them. The teamwork competency is vital in the aviation field. As good teamwork enhanced safety.

• The desire to win stem from their internal strength. An inside out approach. This is also an important factor to make one a successful licensed aircraft engineer. Pushing oneself to complete the given task irrespective of the conditions or situations. Later on as an aircraft engineer they work in all sort of situations and conditions. Night, day, rain, shine.....etc.

• By participating in such game, where one have to mix with strangers from other campuses. Adapting to new environment. Sharing basic resources. The experience will also be an important, later on in their career. Where one have to work across different cultures. Speaking different languages. This is what an aviator will be facing at airports all over the world.

The games are important training ground where behaviours and characters are build and nutured.

This is indeed an important aspect of education one would expect if one enroll into institution like UniKL MIAT.

End/ Zahir

Bachelor of Aircraft Engineering (Hons)- Mechanical (BAET)

This is the first bachelor degree program offered by UniKL MIAT. The curriculum was developed by the academia, aviation authority and the industry specialists. Based on their experiences and industry inputs. Taking into consideration the gaps in knowledge of the total MRO requirements.

The first batch is due to complete their studies this month. And will graduate this october.

Their presence in the industry will inject some new perspectives to the MRO industry which requires highly skilled knowledge workers.

Even though the graduates have an engineering technology bachelor degree, they are still eligible to sit for the LWTR professional examination. However if they wish to be a professional engineer they need to enrol for part 2 with the IEM.

Wishing the first batch of UniKL BAET all the best in their careers.

Regards/ Zahir

The Bachelor in Aviation Management - Hons (BAvM)

Why do UniKL MIAT, an institution focused on aircraft technology, offers this program? 

This is a normal question that I received since we start the program. Many people asked and at the same time try to offer answers. Well among the answers they gave:

• Management programs are normally cheaper to provide
• Attracts more students to UniKL MIAT
• UniKL MIAT is trying to monopolizes the aviation training sector
• To balance up the P&L
• Getting more foreign students

The real reason for UniKL MIAT to offer this program is because we listen to the many voices of the industry. The importance of well trained personnel in the aviation industry is such that it will have a significant impact to the company's bottom line. Such knowledgeable and skilled personnel will definitely enhanced the productivity of the organization.

The  graduates of the program are able to contribute to the industry in the following ways.

• Able to respond to the rapid changes in the global air travel industry as they are well grounded in the principles of air transportation and able to forecast changes as they are skilled in the use of applied statistics.
• Confident in handling issues and complaints from customers. The curriculum utilized a blended form of e-learning and problem based learning. Students can quickly asked relevant questions thus making it simpler for them to seek informations and offer quick and reliable solutions
• The students are coached by many industry experts. As such their networking capital were invested even before they graduate.
• Aviation industry operations are very complex. from Airlines to Airports then to Air Cargo Logistics and other related integrated services. In modern operational management, managers are expected to be able to simulate such complexities and then develop models to effectively run the operations. Graduates from this program are well versed with computerized simulations and operational research modeling.
• And the graduates are being grilled from year one to year four on their oral and written English competency. And of course they are also taught the basic Mandarin language. This is what the industry demands.

Since many of UniKL MIAT lecturers came from the various segments of the aviation industry we are confident that the BAvM will exceed the industry demand. And this program will be UniKL MIAT's blue ocean product serving this very important niche market. 

As an institution of higher learning we too belief in continuous learning, thus we also offer this program to working people in the industry. There is already one intake of the part time students following this program.

end/ Zahir

Aviation Maintenance Magazine :: Certification and Training of NDT Personnel

Many students asked me what they should venture into after completion of their studies at MIAT? Apart from doing their LWTR (License without type rating issued by the Department of Civil Aviation). Well one option is to venture into the field of Non Destructive Testing. To know more I have linked an article from Aviation Maintenance Magazine, below.

Regards/ Zahir

The training, certification, and documentation of aviation maintenance personnel has been a longstanding concern of the industry. Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics, avionics technicians, and certificated repairman all have strict guidelines that must be adhered to regarding training, documentation, and experience. This is no less true for the nondestructive testing (NDT) specialist.

Aviation Maintenance Magazine :: Certification and Training of NDT Personnel

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Flight to Jeddah

I was on a long awaited leave recently, about three weeks. As most of the colleagues and students at UniKL MIAT are aware that before joining the university, I was serving the Malaysian flag carrier, MAS. In fact I retired from the company in the year 2004. So I still enjoy some flight privileges.

During the leave I and my wife went to Madinah and Makkah to perform the umrah. During the Kuala Lumpur - Jeddah flight I manage to meet the pilot, Capt. Zam. Since the flight time require a third member crew, so we have time to talk on many issues as his duty time was towards the last leg of the flight.

I took the opportunity to seek his opinion about what he feels about many young people liking to become a pilot. As I was curious to know from a pilot perspectives.

He felt a lot of them just dived into it without doing some form of analysis of the job requirements and availability of vacancies. Many who took the program are not aware that there are various types of pilots to serve the wide range of aviation industry. Many young people are probably most attracted by the prospects of becoming a flight captains with major airlines, which come with handsome salaries. But the fact is that the position of vacancies are limited. Airlines normally have their own pilot cadet program. So if one wants to land in good salaried job in airlines than it is important that they qualify into the pilot cadet program. And slowly grew with the job collecting the required flying hours.

However if you are the type who loves flying and are willing to work hard in the general aviation and other form of aviation services than there are still good prospects. But you must be willing to work hard, and have an attitude for high tolerance of uncertainty.

Before spending huge amount of money getting into pilot schools to obtain the necessary flying license from the Department of Civil Aviation, one should spend some time and effort to understand the aviation industry.

Capt. Zam felt his adventure into the flying business is very rewarding and would recommend to young people who are really interested to work hard and have a passion for the job.

I cannot agree more with his views, if you want it, then go for it...

UniKL MIAT is currently negotiating with few flying schools within ASEAN to offer a Bachelor in Aviation Technology with Flying. If the planning meets our criteria we will be announcing it within this year.

Best Regards/ Zahir

Apprentice Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Apprenticeship is one way for someone to get their Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's license. In fact during my time in the early seventies, that was the only way. I could still recall my father's reaction when I told him that I'm quiting college and joining an airline as an apprentice. Back then an apprentice would be equated like the automobile apprentice in the popular small town mechanics shop.

Life as an apprentice as I found out later is very tough. You have to work during the day and study on your own during the nights. And as the examination came closer, the more you spent waking up all nightlong.  But then it's worth it. When you finally get your license and begun practicing your privilege, the job and the environment was something difficult to describe.

One aspect of apprenticeship that is unique compared to the college life is the mentors that you have. You work in a specific team or sometime they called it a maintenance crew. They are like your family, taking care of your progression from a young apprentice to a skilled engineer. I will never forget my mentors. Most of them have passed away, but the memory still lingers on.  To named some...Harun Abbas, Abang Zainal, Abang Man, Pa' Hamid, Pa' Itam, Pa' Wan, Pa' Bakar, Johari, Akhbar Shah, Hasjaidi, Ismail Bujang, Cutter, Siva, Chong (who passed away in aircraft crash) and all the rest............

Without my mentors I wont be what I am today. That to me is the biggest difference between the apprenticeship and the college way of learning. And interestingly PBL is emulating that strength into the formal education system. In MIAT we are exploring its usage. I for one, would like my students to taste and feel the joy of learning as what I've gone through during my apprenticeship days.