Inside Story - Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Airframe)



Thomas D

Age Range
26-35

Countries of Work
Australia

Study and Career History
Secondary School HSC
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Airframe) Endorsement

How long have you been doing the job?
10 years

Did you decide on your career path or did it all happen by accident?
10 years`

How did you get your "Glamour Job" ?
I decided my career path as I always had an interest in aircraft and my Dad was in the Air Force.

What does the job involve?
Applying for the new apprentice intake with an A/C manufacturer.

Describe a typical day at work.
Can be anything from major servicing to small detailed bench work and specific parts.

What do you like most about the job?
Seeing the A/C fly after knowing just a few days ago it was in a thousand pieces!

What don’t you like about your job – if anything?
Can be bit frustrating sometimes with certain parts in certain areas that I'm sure the designers had no idea they needed to be worked on.

During your teenage years did you have much vocational guidance from school, university, family or friends? What was your biggest influence?
My Dad passing on his interest and enthusiasm to me for aircraft.

If you took end of school examinations did you get exam results you were happy with from your education?
I was happy with my exams as it meant that I had finished school and could now go to work.

Do you think that what you studied in school or in your further education was right for the career you are in now? Any regrets?
No, but the subjects did let me achieve my exams.

Have you taken further studies since leaving secondary or tertiary school. If yes, what did you study and why did you decide you needed more qualifications?
Schooling involved with my 4 year apprenticeship at a Technical College.

What was your first job?
Helping to building wings for Airforce jet fighters.

What has been your most bizarre or challenging job to date?
27 hour shift to remove and refit 747 landing gear - I had help!

What is your ultimate goal.... is this it, or do you have a pinnacle you have yet to reach?
To work on restoring WW2 aircraft wrecks.

What are your top tips for personal success?
Try to get a job that you like and not to regret having to get up every morning to go to.

Any comments?


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