For years, Concorde Battery Corporation has been holding recurrent training events around the country, providing a free Inspection Authorization Renewal Series. When the pandemic hit in early 2020 and shuttered in-person events, company officials pivoted and began offering the free training online.
The inaugural Virtual IA Renewal Series event in January 2021 had nearly 1,500 attendees via virtual connection. This was the largest IA Seminar ever held and included participants from all over the world, according to company officials.
In March, Concorde presented the Northeast Concorde Battery Virtual IA Renewal Series in conjunction with the Westchester Aircraft Maintenance Association (WAMA). This event provided a last-minute opportunity to complete IA Renewal Training ahead of the March 31 application deadline.
Concorde Battery representatives also participated in online courses eligible for IA and AMT credit hosted by the Helicopter Association International (HAI), universities, colleges, associations, and the FAA across the nation this year. These virtual events resulted in training more than 2,500 individuals so far in 2021.
“The industry needed it. Concorde stepped up big this year,” confirms Dave Schiavone, Area Sales Manager and host of the Concorde Northeast Virtual IA Renewal Series. “There was little opportunity for these professionals to train for IA recertification in 2021. We had to find a way to present this information.”
“Concorde Battery Corporation has provided IA training in South Carolina for 23 years. When several IA seminars in Florida and Tennessee were shuttered in 2017, Concorde Battery revived those seminars in order to provide continuity for those technicians to recertify each year,” said Chris Holder, Eastern US Sales Manager and founder of the South Carolina IA Seminar. “As the 2020 pandemic set in, it immediately became clear to us that thousands of IAs across the nation would soon be in a precarious position regarding their Inspection Authorization certification renewal and something had to be planned.”
“What continues to stand out with regard to the Concorde IA Renewal Series is the quality of the speakers at each event,” Schiavone said. “Our lineup of presenters — Collins Aerospace, JSSI, CAMP, Champion Aerospace, Michelin Aircraft Tire, Dassault Falcon Jet, Honeywell Aerospace, WAMA, and the FAA Safety Team — are recognized in the aviation industry as exceptional instructors. Their knowledge regarding their products and aspects of safety in the industry is what sets them apart. We could not have done it without them.”
“Each year, I’m approached by attendees who are so grateful — and a little surprised — at the quality of the training that is provided at the Concorde Battery IA Renewal Series,” Holder added. “Being involved in these seminars for a quarter century gives you an opportunity to listen to hundreds of speakers. That has allowed me to identify folks like Tim Gauntt of Hartzell, Vince Bechtel of Tempest, Dennis Wyman of G&N Aircraft Engines, Vern Rogers of Cleveland Wheel & Brake and so many others who are very passionate – as I am – about providing the right information to the technician in a way that is both entertaining and informative.”
They didn’t. I’m on the East Coast and if I remember correctly, the event in January started at 11:00 Eastern. That would make it 8:00 Pacific and was attended by folks across the world so time shouldn’t have been an issue. I don’t know what time the March Event started but the logistics behind putting these things together is tremendous; and I’m sure there were other considerations besides your getting up early. You should be more thankful for the opportunity. Thanks again Concord!
I have been attending the Concord Battery IA Renewal in South Carolina for most of those 23 years and travel several hundred miles to do so. Chris Holder does a prenominal job organizing, presenting and keeping the program on time. I’ve been an IA for over 36 years and have never failed to learn something new; some “Nugget” of information that proves useful. Learning and safety is what the entire program is all about and Chris, the presenters as well as the Vendors and FAA provide this remarkable service along with a superb lunch. While this year’s “Virtual Renewal” was as informative as ever, I do miss the interaction and comradery of who are now old friends with the same pursuits and goals. Thank You to Concord Batteries, in general, and Chris Holder in particular for all you have done for the industry and I hope to see all of you next year.
But why did they start the webinar at 5:00 AM west coast time?
That’s making attendance impossible.