Aerospace workforce development with the CEO and Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance. In the news, the Machinist Union votes to strike Boeing, the TSA looks to Real ID enforcement, United Airlines makes a deal with SpaceX for inflight WiFi from Starlink, and more aviation firefighting foam news. Also, interviews from the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast with the Southport Flying Club and Airport president, an Air Commodore with the RAAF, and a decorated Australian war hero.



Washington state delegation at the Farnborough Air Show



Guest



Nikki Malcom is the CEO and Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA), a non-profit trade association that promotes the growth and global competitiveness of the Pacific Northwest. Nikki has spent many years in various roles dedicated to the aerospace industry and is obsessed with all things aviation and aerospace, including manufacturing. Nikki was previously our guest in Episode 741.







We get an update on the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Cluster, the grant-funded initiative with the mission to make the Pacific Northwest a magnet for aerospace manufacturing. Nikki explains the focus on workforce development [PDF], specifically aerospace career awareness, and all the many different roles in the supply chain.



Nikki tells us that the Aerospace From the Ground Up podcast will be launching on the Aerospace is for Everyone YouTube channel. It will mainly target the 18-25 age group, but not exclusively. We can expect to see interviews with and about the people in the industry. The PNAA is working to get more people into the pipeline. That includes launching a mentorship program and developing an online community.



PNAA provides business development by representing aerospace interests at Farnborough and other trade shows. Nikki also describes events organized by the Association, including the  PNAA Advance 2025 conference to be held February 3-5, 2025. We also hear about the Aerospace Futures Alliance which advocates for Washington state’s aerospace industry.



Aviation News



Boeing Machinists reject contract as 96% vote to strike



The International Association of Machinists membership voted to go on strike at Boeing, despite the union leadership recommending they accept the negotiated contract. 94.6% of the members voted to reject the contract and 96% voted to strike. The proposed contract offered a 25% wage increase over four years but also dropped the annual bonus, which some estimated to be about 4% each year. The union wanted 40% over 3 years. Boeing Commercial Airplane CEO Stephanie Pope told employees in a message that “we did not hold back with an eye on a second vote.”




IAM Union Sends Message to IAM District 751 and W24 Members: Our Solidarity Will Win This Fight



Boeing strike will be felt throughout the aviation industry



Kansas aviation industry could be affected by machinists strike




TSA announces proposed rule to provide necessary flexibility as federal agencies prepare to enforce REAL ID requirements beginning May 7, 2025



President George W. Bush signed the REAL ID Act [PDF] into law in 2005. It requires that an identity document, like a driver’s license, show that the holder has had their identity verified. Real IDs would be necessary for accessing federal facilities and nuclear power plants, and boarding commercial flights in the United States.



The TSA now wants to implement the program by May 7, 2025 and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has been published that would provide federal agencies with the necessary flexibility to begin enforcement of the REAL ID regulations on the May 7, 2025 deadline in a manner that takes into account security, operational risk, and public impact. The comment period ends October 15, 2024.



See also: The TSA Now Wants a Phased Rollout of the Real ID Next Year — Here's Why. 



For more information on REAL ID, visit TSA.gov/real-id.