More on Passion
For those who might not know, I don’t have a degree in English or Journalism. I am an A&P. I also had my Inspection Authorization until two years ago when the FAA clarified “actively engaged.” Unfortunately, writing about aviation maintenance management doesn’t meet the FAA’s definition of actively engaged – to “inspect, overhaul, repair, preserve, or replace parts on aircraft, or supervise (i.e., direct and inspect) those activities.”
I am a strong believer that passion leads to success. The D.O.M. magazine team is passionate about providing articles that help our readers succeed as aviation maintenance managers. As A&Ps, our publisher Greg Napert and I have seen the challenges faced by many who make the transition from being a mechanic to being a manager. We want to help make that transition a little easier.
I wrote about passion in my editorial column in the Jan/Feb issue of D.O.M. magazine. I was talking about how having passion is key to success. Here’s a blurb from that column:
The maintenance managers we have profiled in D.O.M. magazine have a passion for what they do. Each of them started out at the bottom. Whether it was as a mechanic or avionics technician in the military or the green mechanic on the hangar floor with the ink still wet on his or her A&P certificate, they began in those entry-level positions. They didn’t whine and complain about having to do menial jobs like fuel cell work and filter changes to begin with. Instead, they absorbed as much knowledge as they could from their peers. They rose up the ranks, passionately learning as much as they could along the way. They took advantage of opportunities to learn from those around them. They honed their skills and helped others succeed. While their passion isn’t for the money, money has come to them because of their passion for success.
Shortly after the issue hit mailboxes, I got an email from our friend John Stewart. Stewart owns S.W.A.T. – an FAA approved repair station and provider of onsite fuel leak and airframe structural sheet metal repairs. He wrote, “Hey Joe, I have a bone to pick with you buddy. You wrote, “…menial jobs like fuel cell work and filter changes.” It’s taken out of context, but the word menial isn’t appropriate. Dude c’mon that’s what my company, our employees and I have done for decades – and quite successfully. Much to the surprise of many in aviation maintenance, we have a very high employee retention rate. Most of us are near or exceeding 15-20+ years as fuel cell/airframe structural technicians AT THE SAME COMPANY. It isn’t the most glamorous job in aviation, however it is a secure and long-term career opportunity. Our team of fuel cell technicians is very engaged in the industry. We have watched countless A&P technicians, our respected peers, change jobs over and over for years for a multitude of reasons. That is very disheartening to observe and relates to the lost “passion” you wrote about in your previous editorial. Great read Joe, as always. I clearly understand the message, just wanted to state that there is a deep passion and brotherhood of fuel cell techs that take tremendous pride in their profession.”
Well John, you are correct sir. Menial was the wrong word to use. After all, there are no menial jobs in aircraft maintenance. Any job, if done improperly, can result in a catastrophe.
However, filter changes and fuel cell repair jobs are dirty jobs. Isn’t it ironic that a task as important as fuel cell work, which if done incorrectly can lead to serious problems with the aircraft, is often relegated to the new mechanic on the floor?
Our contributing writer Patrick Kinane takes this discussion on passion a little further this month. He is of the opinion that many who are entering aircraft maintenance these days are doing it for the wrong reasons. You can read his thoughts on why this is happening and what can be done about it in his article A Random Walk Down Wrong Street on page 28.
Thanks for reading, and keep that feedback coming! – Joe Escobar