24th National Aerospace FOD Prevention Conference

Flying Safety, Oct, 2003

Well, if you weren't lucky enough to attend this year's National FOD Conference, presented by National Aerospace FOD Prevention Inc. (NAFPI), Snap-On and Kelly USA, you missed a great opportunity to improve your processes and reduce your FOD cost. Six hundred-plus of your fellow military members, airfield operators, aircraft manufacturers and depot counterparts were there.

Once again, NAFPI put on a professional and interesting conference from which we could learn, and provided the opportunity to network with our peers, which at times was the most informational. Twenty-six different vendors were there to show (and sell) their products. Some examples of the things that you could learn about were:

* The latest in tool control technology.

* An assortment of hardware control devices, The FOD Boss, and shop vacuums.

* The latest in computer software to track the tools you use every day.

* The newest type of fasteners that can help you eliminate lost rivet heads.

* Magnetic sweepers to pick up FOD or tools to find the missing tool/fastener.

* The strongest and most versatile vacuums available to clean your ramp.

* How technology is making the borescope you use look like Fred Flintstone's car.

* The newest and fanciest tool boxes you can think of.

* How to fix that broken concrete without calling in the Corps of Engineers.

* Even the US Forest Service was there to talk about wildlife control. Birds are FOD, too.

There was a lot to look at, great people to meet and share stories, good and bad, that can help you. As always, the FOD Conference provided a multitude of speakers to inform you about how a company or military unit is improving its processes and including FOD prevention in its daily routine.

The key theme this year was "FOD Prevention is Crucial to Your Success." Why? Because the Air Force has spent $200 million on FOD damage from 1993 to 2002, and we continue to damage aircraft every year due to bad maintenance practices, improper tool control, and lack of cleanliness. Only we, the maintainers, can solve this issue. Let's make 2004 a better year for FOD and reduce the damage. If you didn't get the chance to attend the conference this year, there will be another one next year. You can check out the NAFPI website at NAFPI.com, as well as the Air Force, Army and Navy Safety Center websites. Also, a host of others links from the NAFPI website that can help you improve your FOD program. Hope to see you there next year!