Elevator Speech

This about wraps up these past two, fantastic years in the Honors Mentorship Program for Hall County. I can say my time at the Lanier Flight Center in Gainesville has been all worthwhile. I plan to use all of what I gained at my mentorship in my push into the aviation industry.

Final Reflection

1.  What impact did this experience have on my personal growth?

The experience opened my eyes to the importance and of the skill set of aircraft mechanics. They are responsible for keeping the aircraft in an airworthy condition for the pilots and passengers. This mentorship made me that much more appreciative of the work aircraft mechanics perform and the stress they’re under.

 

2.  What was my greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment was the first time I was entrusted to perform work on the aircraft without looking over my shoulder constantly. When you get something, it makes you feel good. Being able to work independently was a great leap forward.

 

3.  What did you find most challenging about the mentorship?

The most challenging aspect of the mentorship was being told to go off and work on a task, but not ever having been familiarized with it. Having to sometimes introduce myself to an area made some things frustrating, but getting it down made me feel so much more accomplished.

 

4.  What did you discover about yourself?

I personally discovered if I set my mind to a task and utilize the information and advice received from my mentors, I can do just about anything required of me. So many times I wanted to give up when I didn’t think I could do something, but I pushed on.

 

5.  What influence will this experience have on your future academic and career choices?

No influence at all; I’ve always wanted to be involved in the aviation career field.

 

6.  What did you learn from people you admire in the organization?

Because my mentors possess such vast knowledge in my field of interest, I was able to take tons of information out of my time there. I think my time there was unique to most other mentorship fields. Most of the tasks I was involved in were all hands-on. I was always around aircraft, not that I’m complaining one bit. I learned the complex procedures behind inspections and why it is so important to inspect aircraft frequently. I learned the legal liabilities behind being an aircraft. Everything I learned while with my mentors, I can take and use in my life as a pilot and prospective aircraft mechanic.

Success

The success from my mentorship comes from the satisfaction the mechanics I work with get out of me being there to help out.  My satisfaction comes from the compliments I receive at the end of the day.  To me, success is not just measured by personal satisfaction or by the extent of the work that you do–it is measured by how you accomplish the goals you set for yourself. I’ve set a goal to be involved in aviation from high school until I retire.

I serve in different capacities at the maintenance center. When a task is given to me, I attempt to perform the task to the best of my abilities and ask for assistance when I need to. I am able to change the oil on an aircraft, replace lighting, open and close inspection panels, change the tires, clean spark plugs, etc. I take great satisfaction in knowing that I can contribute to the safe operation of the aircraft I help work on. That, for me, is a success on its own.

Workload

Career Path:  If I wanted to follow in the career path of one of the aircraft mechanics I work with, I would have to attend an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School. From there, I would have on-the-job training for about 30 hours before going in to take the tests for the certification. I would take several FAA written examinations before the oral examination and the practical test with an examiner.

Workload: The typical daily workload usually weighs out equally among the mechanics from task to task. The mechanics all maintain a high level of experience. Now when the task includes a more serious repair or modification, the head of maintenance (my mentor Paul) usually works closely on that task, which makes absolute sense if this repair could alter the flight dynamics of the aircraft.

Tasks: At my workplace, I enjoy the compliments I get from the work I do at the end of the day. When I arrive, there are only about 3 mechanics working on one or two aircraft. I add one more hand to the mix and work actually gets done quicker than without. Some of the work I enjoy are tasks I can accomplish without supervision and I am trusted to perform the task without error. Some of them include oil changes, replacing landing/taxi lights, change tires, and helping get tools when the guys need them. Some of the less glorious work includes repetitive tasks such as opening and closing inspection panels. I understand the importance behind that job, but there isn’t much excitement gained unless you happen upon a defect or fault.

Interpersonal Skills

Culture/Collegiality: The work environment varies depending on the work being done. If separate jobs are being done, the mechanics typically focus on the task at hand and communicate when help is needed. If everyone is working on one aircraft or one task, communication is frequent as to help coordinate what tools and supplies are needed and working together to repair the aircraft part or complete the designated maintenance.

Collaboration: Working with aircraft mechanics, communication is key when working on aircraft. Mechanics need to know what work has been accomplished and what needs to be done. That way, work done isn’t repeated and work required isn’t skipped. Paul (my mentor) communicates what needs to be done at the beginning of the day or the day before. The mechanics always know what they need to be doing. A work whiteboard is kept of work that needs to be done and parts that are need for certain tasks that need to be ordered. Paul also phones other individuals for assistance is needed in a specialized area of the aircraft. Mechanics do not know everything about every aircraft.

Mentoring: Like I stated before, mechanics do not know everything about every aircraft. An aircraft may arrive at the shop that the mechanics are not familiar with. Therefore, extra assistance may be required in completing the required maintenance or inspection. That’s where mechanics are called to assist in certain areas of the aircraft to complete maintenance according to the standards set by the manufacturer and the regulations set by the FAA.

Reflection (12/9)

My mentorship position is, again, an assistant to aircraft mechanics (or A&P’s) at the Lanier Flight Center. With regards to social conscience, my mentorship location contributes to the safe operation of aircraft at the local flight school. The mechanics are depended on by pilots to keep the aircraft in a flyable and airworthy condition and to meet the standards the FAA has set before them. Not only do they keep up with the aircraft at the flight school, the flight school takes an active role in the community in providing a professional environment to obtain a pilot’s license and pilot ratings. These licenses and ratings allow for employment opportunities for such individuals.

 

At my mentorship location, the environment is extremely laid back, but rules and regulations are still adhered to when performing and carrying out maintenance on the aircraft at the flight school. I have developed a personal relationship with each mechanic at the flight center and each of them acts as a mentor to me in several ways. It has been the most impactful experience I could ask for.

My Essential Question

My EQ: How can poorly performed aircraft maintenance lead to problems in the future? (Examples)

Why did you select this as your essential question?
I selected this essential question because it has to do with my career field I chose for my mentorship and is an important area that I can dig deep into and find different events where tragedy struck after maintenance was not performed to procedures or standards and learn what changed and how it could have been avoided.

What excites you most about finding the answer to this essential question?
This question I chose appeals to me most because when I find the answer, it will most likely make me appreciate the work of aircraft mechanics even more and will explain why mechanics require high educations and stringent regulations set by the FAA.

Do you feel that this question accurately reflects a desire/need that you have to find out more about this topic?
I feel this question accurately reflects my desire to find out more about this topic because, not only will it get me a good grade, but it will give me insight to the overall importance of aircraft mechanics and the rules and procedures which govern them.

My Reflection

I continue to be blessed with the environment I’m surrounded by every day I walk in and start working with who I consider the best mentors I could be paired with. What I enjoy most about my mentorship compared to others is that my mentorship is all hands-on. I work in the maintenance department of the Lanier Flight Center at the Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport (GVL) in Gainesville, GA. I am blessed to work with three well-qualified, extremely knowledgeable A&P (airframe and power plant) mechanics and one A&P-in-training. My coworkers keep me on my toes with jobs that need to be completed and some tasks that could help out while they do maintenance on the aircraft that I may not be able to perform. What are some of the jobs I do? I have changed the oil for aircraft several times, I help take panels off the aircraft for inspections every 100 flight hours, cleaning and gapping (and testing) spark plugs, changing out bad lights, packing wheel bearings, and numerous other simple tasks. My mentors appreciate the help and I enjoy working with aircraft. I may not be the mechanic-savy person and understand everything, but I enjoy getting my hands dirty and learning the aircraft progressively over time.

When the other mechanics seem occupied with tedious maintenance on the aircraft, I make myself useful and take out the trash that quickly builds up, make a trip to the oil reservoir to empty the used oil, and I’ve been slowly introduced to the inventory and paperwork side of things and start to help out in that capacity when I can.

No class in high school could have prepared me for what I handle at my work, but my experience as a student pilot has help me greatly understand the basics to the aircraft which helps out the mechanics that I work with. If they need me to start up the aircraft and run it for a minute or two after an oil change to make sure there are no leaks, they can count on me. What I learn at my mentorship has helped develop me as a pilot in understanding the aircraft, and has made me more aware of how important aircraft mechanics are in maintaining an aircraft in safe condition.

Begin With the End in Mind

With the end in mind, I really want to be a successful airline pilot. I plan to finish high school, attend the Air Force Academy, flight school, and commission into the Air Force as a pilot. I have to keep up with the physical standards, maintain excellent grades in order to get into the Air Force Academy, and I must adhere to the ethical and moral standards of the Air Force to maintain a positive reputation as a pilot.

At my funeral, I believe people would say positive and inspirational things about me. My family would most dearly miss me, and be proud of my accomplishments and successes in my life and my passion to shoot for my goals. Although my brothers may not seem all that close to me or caring about me sometimes, I believe they would take it hard just because I am the older sibling and they look up to me, despite our constant bickering. My mom, I think, would take it the hardest. She is my inspiration and motivation and she keeps me heading strong towards my goals. Through my love of flying and my progression in my flight training, she would have a hard time saying I didn’t live life to the fullest. My mother seems to always have high hopes for me, and I love her for that. With regards to friends, I may not be as outspoken as other people, but I have my close-nit group of friends that would stick by me in the end. I avoid the big crowds and stick to friends who I know run off my inspiration and I can live by their inspiration. Both funny and serious stories, I feel I have had a positive and fulfilled life and feel like my legacy would be shared among the people at my funeral.

Mirror Image

I am very satisfied with my mirror image—all in the ways I look, feel, and act. I treat people with the utmost respect as it is deserved, and I treat them in a way that will not deter them in future encounters. When I work or do a job or task, I carry out the task to the best of my abilities. Dress means a lot as well; I wear appropriate clothes to jobs and special occasions and do not ever seek to threaten my image for clothing more comfortable. For my job, it is appropriate to wear comfortable clothing, but clothing one is willing to get dirty and filthy. I believe everyone is worth something, no matter how little it may seem; everyone deserves a chance. I always present myself in a fashion that will please or impress the individual I am addressing and will offer the best impression to them. My mirror image is my own, and my ethical beliefs are my own based on how I was raised and what I believe in.