12 Days of an A&P Mechanic’s Christmas

Let’s wrap up 2023 with a new take on an old classic.

Richard Scarbrough

Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 05:04 PM ET

Verified

For many in aviation, Christmas is just another work day. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The article acknowledges that Christmas Day is often a workday for aircraft mechanics, drawing from the author's past experience in airline maintenance.
It presents a creative, aviation-themed rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," reimagining each day with a specific aircraft component or maintenance task.
Through this playful adaptation, the author shares practical insights into an aircraft mechanic's life, covering everything from essential tools like gloves and Space Pens to complex procedures involving piston rings, trim tabs, and engine break-in.

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Some have called it the most wonderful time of the year. It is a time to gather with friends and family to celebrate another year and spend a day of leisure with those closest to us. For others, Christmas Day is just another work day.

I worked on Christmas Day during my stint handling line maintenance for the airlines in the early 1990s. Because I worked the second shift, I did get some time with the family in the morning before heading to the airport.