Steven Gentles

Interested in getting our newsletter for updates on all things Safespill? After you read about how Syscomax is building Avianor Inc one of the most advanced #MRO facilities in Canada, hit the "subscribe" button and never miss out on an update. #aviation #groundwater #fireprotection #firesupression DRAKKAR

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As an aerospace engineer, I’ve always considered myself lucky, thinking I’d experienced every stage of the aircraft development lifecycle. I’ve worked in conceptual design, detailed design, flight testing, certification, in-service engineering, and post-delivery modifications. But on my recent flight from Brussels to Montreal, I realized I’d missed two critical aspects: the airline and passenger experience when something goes wrong. Here is the story: The flight took off right on schedule, and everything seemed smooth until we climbed to about 5,000 meters. All of a sudden, the plane started descending pretty quickly. In just a couple of minutes, we’d descended to 3,000 meters. The pilot announced there was an issue with the pressurization system, and we started circling in the air for about 30 minutes, waiting for guidance from the maintenance crew. Finally, the decision was made to return to the departure airport. The mood on board changed fast. There was no panic—no yelling or crying—but you could feel the fear and concern in everyone’s eyes. Even though I know how rigorously aircraft are designed, manufactured, and maintained, I felt the same. In those moments, logic goes out the window, and emotions take over. You can’t help but think: What if this isn’t just a small issue? What if it’s something bigger—a design flaw, a manufacturing error, or a maintenance mistake? You start thinking about your family, hoping to see them again soon. This experience reminded me of the incredible responsibility we carry as engineers. Every detail matters because our efforts make the difference between life and death. Good design, manufacturing, quality control, and maintenance—each plays a part in keeping passengers safe. That was my first lesson that day. After we landed, we were told it would take time to troubleshoot the issue, so our flight was canceled, and a replacement aircraft would fly us out the next day. The airline staff worked tirelessly, answering questions, arranging hotel accommodations, and rebooking flights. Some passengers were re-routed immediately, but most of us headed to nearby hotels for the night. I realized then how even a ‘simple’ issue could result in massive costs in time, effort, and money for the airline. This was my second lessons learned: Time is vital. Whether it’s delivering a document, making a decision, or taking action, doing it on time matters. This can save days for hundreds of people or thousands of dollars for the airline. But, of course, safety always comes first. I want to thank to pilots of #AC833 who handled the situation professionally, the ground crew who worked a lot to keep everyone informed and organized, and Air Canada for their commitment to safety and a positive customer experience.

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this will be very interesting to see if anyone is satisfied with the final results

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Breakfast Meeting: Friday, September 13, 2024 | 8:00 - 9:00 AM (EST)   1) If you have never heard Carl Pritchard speak - you are missing out. 2) If you have heard Carl speak then you know you are missing out. In this session, Carl Pritchard reflects on the positive application of both lessons learned and lessons UN-learned. He engages audiences in the development of different "project hacks" building on their real-world experiences and tricks of the trade. Most importantly, he drives home the message that lessons learned from any field are useless without a clear understanding of how they are properly implemented, covering the critical questions that draw out the "how" as well as the lessons themselves.

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Some of the most challenging #swisslathe parts we've been making lately are for pew pews where many don't have any round turned features ⚙️🔫 Parts like firing pins and magazine lock buttons are "easy" in comparison to near 100% prismatic parts that often involve a lot of tricky angles, tolerances and true positions to ensure everything fits smooth in assembly. But the advantages of our swiss lathes really shine through on and have provided our pew pew customers with Chynuh-busting low prices due to faster cycle times, super consistent tight tolerance quality and leveraging unattended "lights out" machining 24x7. It's still a competitive market so being able to offer low prices has helped them win some big orders with their retail market customers though - and steady contract work for us (win-win). Most Swiss machines come equipped with a variety of driven tools that can handle high-accuracy milling -- even for complex features like slots, keyways, and flat surfaces that are common in firearms parts such as triggers, sears, and even bolt carriers. Heck our various Star 20mm and 32mm swiss lathes are *20 years old* and able to machine all of these tricky parts no problem - while still holding .0001" tolerances all day long too! Swiss lathes are truly incredible machines (if you take care of them). But.... parts like these require “phasing” -- orienting the part correctly in the sub-spindle for second-op milling or turning, and keeping the workpiece properly oriented between spindles! This allows for full synchronization between the main and sub-spindle, ensuring that once the part is transferred for additional operations because it remains perfectly aligned. It's been exciting to see all the developments in the industry over the last few years - especially with some interesting use of the tried and true 1911 .45 cal format but for different calibers like 9mm... and also just amazing if not "match grade" quality AR's on the market now at shocking economically good prices too. And... the market continues to grow too!! In 2022, the small arms market in USA was valued at approx $3.8 billion and is projected to grow at a modest CAGR of around 2.5% for p1stols and 2.9% for r1fles through 2030. Fyi in 2021 the USA f1rearms production hit a record high, with over 12.5 million units produced, primarily driven by handg_ns --> particularly 9mm p1stols --> which accounted for over 63% of all production. Jobs!! There are around 400 f1rearms manufacturers in the USA, with top companies including Smith & Wesson, Ruger, SIG SAUER, and Glock, accounting for the majority of production. As of 2024 -- the industry provides over 150,000 #jobs, directly and indirectly, across manufacturing, retail, and associated services, contributing significantly to the U.S. economy. #manufacturing #machining #supplychain #cnc #leanmanufacturing #engineering

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*NEW BLOG POST* Discover how the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) are pushing the boundaries of aerospace manufacturing with automated fiber placement. Learn more about their dual-robot challenge powered by RoboDK. https://lnkd.in/dpGz2Bv4 #RoboDK #RoboDKBlog #Automation #RoboDKAddin #robot #Manufacturing #Mfg #simulationsoftware #Automation #Robotsoftware #OfflineProgramming #Olp #Industry #RobotProgramming #RobotSimulation

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Unlocking new horizons in Canadian defence: Dive into our latest article unveiling the dynamic collaboration between Babcock Canada Inc. and Roshel Smart Armored Vehicles. Discover how innovation meets expertise to elevate our nation's security capabilities. https://lnkd.in/gURMq2tx #DefencePartnership #Innovation"

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Unlocking new horizons in Canadian defence: Dive into our latest article unveiling the dynamic collaboration between Babcock Canada Inc. and Roshel Smart Armored Vehicles. Discover how innovation meets expertise to elevate our nation's security capabilities. https://lnkd.in/gURMq2tx #DefencePartnership #Innovation"

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Unlocking new horizons in Canadian defence: Dive into our latest article unveiling the dynamic collaboration between Babcock Canada Inc. and Roshel Smart Armored Vehicles. Discover how innovation meets expertise to elevate our nation's security capabilities. https://lnkd.in/gURMq2tx #DefencePartnership #Innovation"

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Unlocking new horizons in Canadian defence: Dive into our latest article unveiling the dynamic collaboration between Babcock Canada Inc. and Roshel Smart Armored Vehicles. Discover how innovation meets expertise to elevate our nation's security capabilities. https://lnkd.in/gURMq2tx #DefencePartnership #Innovation"

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🤔 Monday Thought Experiment: The Future of Aviation Imagine it's 2030. You're at an airport, about to board a commercial flight. The striking difference? The familiar roar of jet engines has been replaced by the quiet hum of electric propulsion. Our eJet technology is already pushing the boundaries of what's possible in aviation, achieving an unprecedented thrust-to-weight ratio of 5:1 and operational capabilities at 35,000+ feet. But we're curious about YOUR perspective: 💭 Question of the Day: What aspect of the passenger experience would change most dramatically with the shift to electric aircraft? Is it: *The reduced noise levels during takeoff and landing? *The potential for new airport designs and locations? *The environmental peace of mind? *Something we haven't considered? Share your insights in the comments below! Your perspective helps shape the future of sustainable aviation. 👇 We’re always deeply honored and grateful for the recognition Duxion receives. Last year, we had the privilege of being named Canada’s top Aviation Solutions Provider for 2023. You can learn more about our journey in this article. #DuxionMotors #ElectricAviation #FutureOfFlight #SustainableTravel #AerospaceInnovation #CleanTech

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The machining industry turns to Aeroex for their air purification needs, but where do you turn if you're not a machinist? 😀STILL AEROEX!😀 Aeroex, at its foundation is rooted in the fundamentals of air purification but keeps at the forefront of emerging trends and challenges related to air purification. Located here in Canada, our in-house engineers have in-depth knowledge of the air purification system we design and build ourselves, and how they are configured and deployed! Combined with our dedication to building strong customer relationships we take the time to learn about your industry, facility, and challenges and find the perfect solution for you, even if we need to custom make it ourselves! Here are just some examples of industries we have helped: 😎 ✔️Combustion engines produce a range of air quality pollutants and are one of the most common applications for activated carbon filters, which can be found in Aeroex models, with fittings to accommodate any size or location of exhaust to capture the volatile organic compounds released by combustion engines when implementing an effective source control method. ✔️3D printing creates several air purification challenges due to the variety of materials like thermoplastics, resin, wood, metal, etc. Aeroex spent time researching and understanding the 3D printing industry before recommending source control methods with HEPA filters that would capture harmful pollutants like styrene. ✔️Cold heading's high-speed production of metal wires can often create harmful smoke due to the heating of lubricants and dyes in the manufactuing process. Conventional filters have struggled to capture the smallest oil particles mixed in with smoke, a challenge easily handled by our Mist Fit! Click the link below and get in touch with the Aeroex team, and lets build a solution for your air quality concerns! https://hubs.li/Q02FPhB90 #cnc #cncmachinist #engineering #cleanair #innovation #industry #3dprinting #coldheading #auto

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Hydrogen combustion is changing the aerospace industry by offering a cleaner, more environmentally friendly way to power aircraft. Instead of releasing carbon dioxide like regular jet fuel, burning hydrogen produces only water vapor, helping reduce pollution. Big companies like Airbus are working on hydrogen-powered planes, hoping to have them flying by 2035. These planes would be designed to use hydrogen fuel to cut down on emissions. Hydrogen is also being explored for hybrid systems, where it could generate electricity to help make planes more efficient. Even though it’s promising, using hydrogen widely will still need big advances in technology and infrastructure.

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As predicted: more #consolidation within the #drone #industry (and more coming, too!) - Volatus Aerospace + Drone Delivery Canada - Joby Aviation + Xwing - Aerovel + Airbus - Tomahawk + AeroVironment - Ascent AeroSystems + Robinson Helicopter Company - Axon + Dedrone More is coming... really soon... Why this matters: The convergence of profitable and skilled organizations will change the landscape of #UAS for years to come, creating 'super firms' capable of innovating and delivering new technologies, faster than ever.

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Interesting developments in hybrid aviation.

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“The Dirty Dozen” One of my favorite methods for assessing human factors. The "Dirty Dozen" in aviation refers to twelve common human factors that can lead to errors and accidents. These were identified by Gordon Dupont during his time with Transport Canada. Complacency is the one I see most often.  Particularly with autonomous missions. Here is the list: 1- Lack of Communication: Misunderstandings or failures in communication can lead to errors. 2- Complacency: Overconfidence and a lack of vigilance can cause critical steps to be overlooked. 3- Lack of Knowledge: Inadequate training or insufficient information can result in mistakes. 4- Distraction: Interruptions or focusing on irrelevant issues can lead to errors. 5- Lack of Teamwork: Poor collaboration and coordination among team members can cause problems. 6- Fatigue: Physical or mental exhaustion can impair performance and judgment. 7- Lack of Resources: Insufficient tools, equipment, or support can lead to errors. 8- Pressure: Stress from deadlines, workload, or external factors can result in rushed and flawed work. 9- Lack of Assertiveness: Hesitation to speak up or challenge unsafe practices can cause issues. 10- Stress: Personal or professional stress can impact concentration and decision-making. 11- Lack of Awareness: Failure to see the big picture or recognize the implications of actions can lead to mistakes. 12- Norms: Unwritten rules or practices that deviate from standard procedures can cause problems. Share your thoughts.   What have you experienced during drone operations? (Photo from a training exercise)

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