Citadel Completions emphasizes hiring individuals with military experience while actively seeking talented, detail-oriented professionals.
Aviation
Follow along on our aviation blog series by visiting the following topics: A Military Pathway to a Career in Aviation Maintenance and How to Break Into Louisiana’s High-wage, Hi-demand Field of Aviation Maintenance.
In previous blogs we’ve discussed the training needed to pursue a career in aviation mechanics as well as the opportunities in this high-wage, high-demand field where skilled professionals service, maintain and fix aircraft. Three Louisiana-based companies: Advanced Aero Services, Avex and Citadel Completions plan to make hundreds of Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic hires in 2023 and the industry looks at continued growth over the next decade. Avex is moving towards dedicating over 70% of its capabilities to Maintenance, focusing on servicing FedEx and the already established 757 passenger to freighter conversion program “In 2022, we hired over 30 people in a variety of skills,” said Gil Corral, Avex Director of Maintenance. “When we go full force in 2023, we will employ another 100 people and by the end the year we should have approximately 200 people in our facility supporting the maintenance and paint operation”
Jeff Prior is currently an A&P Mechanic at Advanced Aero Services. We asked Jeff to tell us about his training, career path and what he enjoys about his job.
“I started out in the air force. During my service, I went to airframe and power plant school at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, which is a private university focused on aviation and aerospace programs. There I took my A&P exam and went down to Mid Continent Aerotek in Houston, where I took my written oral and practical. Once I got my license and completed my air force service, I was hired at Express Jet, then went to Western Global, worked there for over a year, then was finally hired here at Advanced Aero Services where I work today.”
“A lot of what we do is overnight inspections and specific maintenance checks when an aircraft comes in. We make sure that batteries are charged, all the fluids and oil are at the correct levels, we inspect the tire treadwear so it is okay and that there’s no excessive wear on the brakes. We often check out the plane’s computer software, update its navigation software, change a generator or even fix a broken armrest on a seat. Some nights are easy and some are more challenging.”
“One thing that I enjoy about my work is that you’re never bored because you’re not always doing the same thing every night. As you progress along, you may work on a thrust reverser, or sheet metal, or perform composite work—it’s never the same exact repair twice and it’s challenging where you often have to think outside the box to get it done. And you work as a team so there’s always someone that may know more about specific techniques and can teach you, or you can teach them. For example, there’s a new guy who came on board as an apprentice while he’s completing his A&P training. He was watching us change a generator and a week later he could do it by himself. And again, he’s still in school. Probably the best thing about the job is that all aviation mechanics are cut from the same cloth and we really have a good time out there. It’s like one big family and everybody looks out for everyone.”
As with many jobs, there is considerable room for upward advancement beginning as an A&P Mechanic along with both Airframe and Powerplant licenses from the FAA. Sunshine Dickson, Training Manager at Citadel Completions, offered some other tips and best practices for advancement.
o Being focused and paying attention to detail is key, as well as the ability to read and follow instructions well. Do not rush through tasks and don’t feel ashamed to ask questions when you do not understand something. Be confident that you can learn this trade with experience, but be humble enough to listen to others who have worked in this career more than you.
o Make it known that you want to learn and expand your knowledge to do more things. State that you are willing to take on new responsibilities to show what you are capable of learning and doing.
o Be willing to work a shift other than days (especially in the beginning), volunteer for overtime to lessen the burden of your team (when asked), pay attention, work safe, and ask what would help you grow your career.
o Take classes the FAA offers for free. Take leadership classes. Take specific airframe type classes called general familiarization classes, if you can find affordable ones online (this is very important to certain aviation maintenance companies).
Don Godfrey, Human Resource Manager with Advanced Aero Services mapped out the typical career path at his company. “You start with us as a mechanic one, two, or three and then get promoted to a lead mechanic based on your progress, knowledge and performance. We often hire people as an apprentice who work for us and go to school at the same time. Once someone in an apprenticeship gets his or her A&P certification and come aboard with us, he or she may skip mechanic one and jump to two or three because of the experience gained as an apprentice. After lead mechanic you might move up to a project manager, operations manager and then director over the entire mechanic shop.”
Currently, aviation mechanics are in high demand in Louisiana and around the country. “There is ready availability in this area for A&P mechanics, which is why I came to Shreveport,” stated Michael Anderson, President of Advanced Aero Services. “Louisiana has quite a bit of military aviation needs such as an air force base and army helicopters nearby. We are also located in between a number of airline hubs—Dallas, Houston, New Orleans—meaning we are centrally located for maintenance.” With all of this opportunity, people who are interested in this field and want to stay in Louisiana have a great opportunity now and in the future.
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