The Australian Defense Force is 10,000 miles and several time zones removed from GE’s T700 hub in Lynn, Massachusetts. But when the ADF has a need related to its engines, its initial outreach is a lot closer to home.
Meet Pete Miani. In 2016, Miani joined GE as the CT7/T700 Lead Field Service Engineer following 12 years enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force. The position involved providing technical support to the Australian Army and Navy, as well as the Royal New Zealand Air Force, ensuring the safety, capability and reliability of each fleet. A year later Miani’s coverage grew to include the Air New Zealand CT7 commercial fleet, providing technical and logistical assistance to the CT7 commercial oil and gas operators based off the west coast of Australia.
Based out of Sydney, Miani often starts his day with “red-eye” calls to ensure he is apprised of the latest updates related to his engines. He provides complete engine-fleet management for the Army while also overseeing the T700 module-level engine shop. He also helps to troubleshoot and coordinate investigations when required. His work on behalf of GE Aviation’s commercial CT7 customers adds a level of complexity that can be challenging; Miani has to respond to frequent night calls and coordinate replacement components for operators on the other side of the continent, a three-hour time difference.
But his hard work has not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, Miani was invited to Lynn to receive an Engineering Recognition Day Award for his outstanding support of the broad turboshaft customer base Down Under.
Perhaps his biggest breakthrough was developing robust borescope procedures and training packages that replaced off-wing inspections, resulting in reduced inspection times from 138 hours to just a single hour and an increase in engine time-on-wing from 200 to 1,000 hours. The combination of these efforts reduced the Australian Defense Force direct labor by more than 2,500 man-hours, resulting in $5 million in total customer savings.
Miani also adapted to an expanded role supporting the extreme op-tempo commercial oil and gas operations in Western Australia. His expertise and dedication allowed for a successful entry into service of the AW189 helicopter to this region, developing a high level of customer confidence and enhancing GE’s mantra to bring our customers home safely.
“I really relish the variation and opportunity to make tangible improvements to customer operations,” Miani says. “I take great pride in helping ensure our engines perform at peak efficiency and are mission-ready.”
While in the RAAF, he first became familiar with GE engines and their platforms working on Legacy Hornets (powered by GE F404s) and was selected to be part of the Super Hornet (F414) acquisition team in 2009. After receiving training and performing acceptance checks for six months at Naval Air Station Lemoore, in California, he joined the team that ferried the aircraft back to Australia.
While he treats his customers almost like extended family, Miani’s focus is about to become laser-focused on his immediate family as he and his wife, Tanya, prepare for the birth of their second child in October (joining almost two-year-old Reuben). Kids are even less predictable than turbine engines, so he and Tanya will soon have their hands full at home.
“I’m fortunate to have a diverse role and enjoy what I’m doing,” says Miani. “The flexibility and trust GE provides empowers me to adapt my lifestyle to successfully achieve the balance I need to also support my growing family.”
Meet Pete Miani. In 2016, Miani joined GE as the CT7/T700 Lead Field Service Engineer following 12 years enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force. The position involved providing technical support to the Australian Army and Navy, as well as the Royal New Zealand Air Force, ensuring the safety, capability and reliability of each fleet. A year later Miani’s coverage grew to include the Air New Zealand CT7 commercial fleet, providing technical and logistical assistance to the CT7 commercial oil and gas operators based off the west coast of Australia.
Based out of Sydney, Miani often starts his day with “red-eye” calls to ensure he is apprised of the latest updates related to his engines. He provides complete engine-fleet management for the Army while also overseeing the T700 module-level engine shop. He also helps to troubleshoot and coordinate investigations when required. His work on behalf of GE Aviation’s commercial CT7 customers adds a level of complexity that can be challenging; Miani has to respond to frequent night calls and coordinate replacement components for operators on the other side of the continent, a three-hour time difference.
Top: Miani and his family at the Engineering Recognition Day ceremony, where he was recognized for developing robust borescope procedures.
But his hard work has not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, Miani was invited to Lynn to receive an Engineering Recognition Day Award for his outstanding support of the broad turboshaft customer base Down Under.
Perhaps his biggest breakthrough was developing robust borescope procedures and training packages that replaced off-wing inspections, resulting in reduced inspection times from 138 hours to just a single hour and an increase in engine time-on-wing from 200 to 1,000 hours. The combination of these efforts reduced the Australian Defense Force direct labor by more than 2,500 man-hours, resulting in $5 million in total customer savings.
Miani also adapted to an expanded role supporting the extreme op-tempo commercial oil and gas operations in Western Australia. His expertise and dedication allowed for a successful entry into service of the AW189 helicopter to this region, developing a high level of customer confidence and enhancing GE’s mantra to bring our customers home safely.
“I really relish the variation and opportunity to make tangible improvements to customer operations,” Miani says. “I take great pride in helping ensure our engines perform at peak efficiency and are mission-ready.”
While in the RAAF, he first became familiar with GE engines and their platforms working on Legacy Hornets (powered by GE F404s) and was selected to be part of the Super Hornet (F414) acquisition team in 2009. After receiving training and performing acceptance checks for six months at Naval Air Station Lemoore, in California, he joined the team that ferried the aircraft back to Australia.
While he treats his customers almost like extended family, Miani’s focus is about to become laser-focused on his immediate family as he and his wife, Tanya, prepare for the birth of their second child in October (joining almost two-year-old Reuben). Kids are even less predictable than turbine engines, so he and Tanya will soon have their hands full at home.
“I’m fortunate to have a diverse role and enjoy what I’m doing,” says Miani. “The flexibility and trust GE provides empowers me to adapt my lifestyle to successfully achieve the balance I need to also support my growing family.”
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