The Unexpected Perks of an OCD Annual

While obsessive-compulsive disorder may be a pathology you do not wish in your life partner, consider yourself blessed to find it in your A&P.

Ben Younger

Friday, July 07, 2023 at 08:04 AM ET

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[Courtesy of Ben Younger]

Key Takeaways:

The author discovered Fernie Nunez, an exceptionally meticulous aircraft mechanic whose "obsessive-compulsive disorder" proves to be a valuable asset in his work.
Fernie consistently goes above and beyond, proactively fixing minor details (like a worn wing-walk or a rotating taxi light) and thoroughly addressing every squawk during the aircraft's annual inspection.
Fernie's dedication, attention to detail, and willingness to test-fly the aircraft post-maintenance instilled immense trust and confidence in the author, even for challenging flights.

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This past January, walking up to my fresh-out-of-annual Beechcraft Bonanza in a heated hangar in Moriarty, New Mexico, I immediately noticed something different about my bird. The wing-walk section leading to the door was brand new—black-as-night paint, with a perfect grit. When I dropped her off, the walk had been dirt gray at best and had as much grip as the ice rink at Rockefeller Center.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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