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3 Ways to Jump-start Networking in Aircraft Maintenance

Mechanic and alumni organizations offer options for staying connected in the industry.

Mechanic and alumni organizations offer options for staying connected in the industry. [File photo: Adobe Stock]
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Key Takeaways:

  • Aircraft mechanics, often working in isolation, can greatly benefit from connecting with fellow professionals to foster camaraderie and professional growth.
  • Joining formal organizations like the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), or educational/military alumni networks provides effective avenues for these connections.
  • These organizations offer valuable opportunities for networking, skill development, industry advocacy, and a sense of belonging, aiding both career advancement and overall morale.
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There is strength in numbers. Often aircraft mechanics are on an island, left to their own devices to work, inspect, and return to service aircraft and components. Most prefer it that way, and unless you work for a major airline or maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) organization, chances are you will perform maintenance-related tasks alone.

Solo work is not so terrible; some mechanics like to work alone. Even so, there comes a time when you need to commune with your own kind. I fondly remember hanging out behind the line shack, late-night cruises through the terminals in the crew truck, and playing baseball with shop rags wrapped in duct tape.

Richard Scarbrough

Richard is a US Navy Veteran, A&P Mechanic, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University alumni. His experience ranges from general and corporate aviation to helicopters, business jets, and commercial airliners. Former owner of a 145 repair station, he currently has an aerospace product management role and is a member of the T-C-Alliance. Follow him on X (Twitter) at @RScarCo.

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