Andy Fishwick, 19, is an apprentice helicopter maintenance engineer for PremiAir Aviation, at Blackbushe airport in Surrey, UK. He combines hands-on work for his employer with study at nearby Farnborough College

Why a career in aviation maintenance?

I decided on a career in aviation maintenance as I find it challenging and interesting. It requires good problem-solving skills and I think my ability in this area is developing quickly. Engineering involves working to high tolerances while keeping within limits.

How and where did you train?

I am still training at Farnborough College of Technology, where I am studying subjects such as landing-gear systems, gas turbines, materials and hardware, maintenance practices, maths and science, air legislation and human factors.

Andy Fishwick - PremiAir
 © PremiAir
Fishwick: committed to a hands-on career in aviation maintenance

I also study at Bristol College, which is a Part 147 approved training organisation. I passed my human factors and gas turbine modules there last year.

I was originally on a National Diploma course for aeronautical engineering. This wasn't hands-on enough for me and I applied for an aircraft maintenance course that was due to start at the college. I was interviewed by a panel of eight people, who asked questions such as what I thought an aircraft maintenance engineer did and what the importance of aircraft maintenance was.

It was quite daunting as I was only 16 and had never experienced an interview before. A few weeks later I heard that I had been chosen as one of 12 people who were accepted on to the course, as an apprentice. I am the youngest in the year; all the other apprentices are a school-year older than me. This was the first year the course was to be run at Farnborough, sponsored by PremiAir, TAG and Gama. The three firms employed four apprentices each.

Tell us about your job, day to day

Day to day my job could consist of anything from pulling engines out for inspections to track and balancing of the main rotors. Sometimes I will be put on to a check and paired with someone more experienced for supervision. Sometimes I am given tasks to carry out by myself, or put on big inspections and given my own system/area to complete.

What are the particular challenges of helicopters?

It's hard to identify the challenges of working on helicopters as I haven't worked on any fixed-wing aircraft.

Some of the challenges are related to the tight spaces in which components are located and not being able to see what you are doing.

What's the next step career-wise and the longer-term plan?

The next step for me is to complete my aircraft maintenance City and Guilds and National Vocational Qualifications exams at college, which require assessors to witness me carry out a number of tasks in and about the workplace.

There are also a lot of questions to show my knowledge of the health and safety in the workplace, basic understanding of aircraft systems and components and maintenance practices to complete before obtaining my NVQ.

In addition, after and during my college work I am attempting to work through my UK Civil Aviation Authority licence modules.

Would you recommend a career in aviation maintenance to other teenagers?

I would recommend a career in aviation maintenance to other teenagers as long as they are willing to put in hard work and are committed.

They would also have to have the right mindset; they must be willing to finish the task in hand before moving on to the next.

Source: Flight International

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