Change Agent

Scott Klavon was named director of Standards, Professional Development, and Aerospace Businesses for SAE International in October 2005. This post follows various other positions he held during his 18 years with the organization. Klavon began his career as a U.S. Navy officer and was assigned to the Chief of Naval Education and Training to conduct investigations as part of Congressional inquiries. Prior to joining SAE, he was an aviation maintenance engineer at the Naval Aviation Depot in Pensacola, Florida. Klavon holds a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He is a member of AIAA and the Royal Aeronautical Society, and is a chartered engineer in the UK.

AM: What is SAE International all about?
Klavon: It has more than 90,000 members-engineers, technicians, business executives, educators, and students from 100 countries-who share information and ideas for advancing the engineering of mobility systems. SAE provides standards development, events, technical data and expertise used to design, build, maintain, and operate self-propelled vehicles for use on land or sea, in air or space.

AM: How does SAE fit into aerospace?
Klavon: SAE International began in 1905 as the Society of Automobile Engineers. At the 1916 annual meeting, representatives from the American Society of Aeronautic Engineers, Society of Tractor Engineers, and representatives from the power boating industry made a pitch to SAE for oversight of technical standards in their industries. Thomas Edison, Glenn Curtiss, Glenn Martin, and Orville Wright were early supporters of the society representing aeronautical enginners. The result of the 1916 meeting was a new organization representing engineers in all types of mobility-related professions. SAE member Elmer Sperry actually created the term "automotive" from Greek autos (self), and Latin motivus (of motion) origins to represent all forms of self-powered vehicle. The Society of Automobile Engineers became the Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE is the world's largest developer of aerospace consensus standards. It provides various industry-related products and services, such as Aerospace Engineering magazine and the AeroTech conference and exhibition.

AM: Tell us about the SAE/PAMA Alliance.
Klavon: A relationship with the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) helps to strengthen the various products and services both organizations can offer the aviation maintenance community. The relationship expands SAE's "bandwidth" in this area and offers opportunities to bring a closer relationship between the engineering and technician communities.

AM: What about SAE aerospace standards?
Klavon: SAE is the world's largest developer of aerospace consensus standards. There are nearly 7,000 active SAE aerospace standards, aerospace material specifications, aerospace recommended practices and information reports. SAE has nearly 7,000 industry experts participating on 150 committees, subcommittees and task groups. More SAE standards are adopted by the U.S. Department of Defense than any other standards organization. SAE standards are regularly referenced in FAA TSOs and EASA ETSOs, and are used by aircraft manufacturers to reduce costs and improve safety through the use of common parts and materials (fasteners, fittings, etc) in the design. SAE standards help aircraft operators and maintainers with common methods for performing tasks, such as composite repair and non-destructive inspection. These are just a few examples.

AM: Tell us about the Total Product Life Cycle (TLC) philosophy.
Klavon: SAE generally defines TLC in five aspects: design, manufacturing, operations, maintenance and reuse. The SAE board of director monitors the society's activities to ensure it is properly addressing each of these areas of the total life cycle. SAE's affiliation with PAMA is just one way the organization focuses on addressing the maintenance aspect.

AM: Any future initiative with PAMA?
Klavon: The initial relationship between PAMA and SAE has been focused on integrating functions, organizational cultures, and identifying efficiencies. We are only beginning to scratch the surface of opportunities between SAE and PAMA.

AM: Tell us of SAE's continuous education?
Klavon: SAE offers various ways for its members and customers to expand their knowledge: by attending SAE conferences and expositions, by attending SAE professional development courses, by purchasing SAE publications, by reading SAE's magazines, etc. I could go on and on, but suffice to say that SAE is a valuable resource for those in the automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle industries to continuously learn throughout their careers.