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Francisco Duncan
Amusement and Waterparks Consultant
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"Understanding standards opens a brand new world of knowledge and provides the opportunity to speak the same language that all people in your field speak." |
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Who is your current employer and what is your current position? |
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I am a consultant for amusement and waterparks, based in Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico, and have clients in Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, and Venezuela. I also have experience from positions at various amusement parks and waterparks. |
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Where did you obtain your undergraduate/ graduate degree(s) and in what fields? |
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I have a degree in aeronautical engineering from the National Politechnical Institute in Mexico City. |
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When and why did you become involved in ASTM International? |
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In 2003, I was invited to a meeting of the Safety and Maintenance Committee, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). ASTM Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices was meeting after that, and it seemed to me that I could learn a lot if I became a member of ASTM. So I did it and I'm still learning. |
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In which committees are you active? Are you a committee officer; if so, what group or groups? |
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I am a member of F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices and I've been participating on F24.60 on Water Related Amusement Rides and Devices and F24.24 on Design and Manufacture. |
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How do you apply ASTM standards in your work? |
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Because Latin America imports amusement rides from Europe and the United States, I need to know how to check rides against the proper standards, which include ASTM standards. That is because parks want to assure that their rides can meet the most rigorous standard and thus offer the highest standard practice in the industry. |
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Apart from using standards, are there advantages to participating in standards development? |
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Of course. It is not the same to take the attitude of "following the leader," rather than "being the leader"; it is a question about whether you want to be off the field or on the fieldÁ??just a follower and fan, or a quarterback on the team. |
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What are some of your favorite aspects of your job? |
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When I make an inspection of a ride and I find a flaw, a leak, a crack, or something wrong, and I propose a solution, I feel that I'm making a difference between a happy memory of a park, and a fatal end. I feel I'm saving lives, and I thank God, who gives me the eyes and the brain and a good standard to save a park from a crisis. |
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Are there advantages that you can identify that result from having an understanding of standards? |
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Standards are nothing other than a special language. As with all languages in the world, if you want to understand a girl or boy who speaks Spanish, you will not be able to communicate with them unless you learn to understand her or his language. In the same way, understanding standards opens a brand new world of knowledge and provides the opportunity to speak the same language that all people in your field speak. |
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Are there any words of wisdom that you can offer to professionals starting out in your field? |
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In all aspects of your life, no matter what, there will be four things: Knowledge, money, power, and teaching. Knowledge can give you money, and money power, but you must learn to manage them so you do not let those things rule your life. You must rule them, and that is when you become a teacher and can be a role model to others.
2006
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