Tips for Working in the Aviation Industry
There is no career in the world that is quite like a career in aviation. Being in the aviation industry is more than just a job, it can only be described as a lifestyle.
The aviation industry is unlike any other. There’s always a different issue that needs to be solved. Working at an airline, you never know where you will end up traveling to work on aircraft. And since aviation is constantly advancing, knowing the exact work you will encounter will always be advancing, leading to the need for more knowledge and experience.
This is especially true when working on any experimental aircraft or working with aerobatic pilots that are always trying to get the most out of their aircraft.
With how variable the field of aviation can be, it can be equally intimidating. That’s why any time there’s any form of tips you can get, you should at least hear them out. Remember though, it’s only tips and not hard truths. You should only take them as tips and if they work then use them. If they don’t work, then just let it go.
Stay Up To Date
The aviation industry is literally always changing. Luckily, there’s also the joke that what is legal in aviation is about 20 years behind the technology – something about the inefficiencies of bureaucracies.
But studies and knowledge are constantly increasing, so you need to constantly be up to date on the latest information. That and because of the inefficiencies of bureaucracies, new rules are constantly being looked at and updated. That means the requirements of maintenance, as well as the pilot requirements, are always being analyzed and updated.
Just recently, a new airworthiness directive for certain models of Piper aircraft was published for mechanics to start checking wing struts because there have been instances of wings falling off in flight. Not only is working in aviation a cool field, but it’s also all about being safe. Flying is badass, but it’s even more badass when you can relay the badass stories you get along the way.
Then if you are dealing with experimental or advanced aircraft, people are always trying to make their aircraft better in some way. There’s always somebody coming up with a creative (though not always safe and smart) way to make their airplane a little better. A read-through of Charles Lindbergh’s book The Spirit of St. Louis shows that there are still records that people want to break, so they will work with mechanics and physicists to make it happen.
Take Advantage of Flying
If you work at an airline, why are you not capitalizing on the flight benefits?
Truly, when working in aviation you are pretty much supposed to take advantage of the ability to fly! This doesn’t mean that if you don’t work at an airline’s maintenance facility then you should quit your job and go there. Instead, enjoy flying in whatever capacity you can. You have to make sure to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
If you work on general aviation aircraft, make a deal to go up flying with the pilots of the aircraft you put hours of work on. It’s easy to make friends with pilots and go flying with them. If you’re going to work on the mechanical and theoretical aspects of aviation, you should get to enjoy the final product.
Some people will have the benefit of being able to go visit other cities, states, and even countries, at a moment’s notice. It won’t take more than the time it takes to book a flight for some people to get out of dodge and visit a new place. There’s also the aspect of just going for a flight for the sake of flight. It’s important to enjoy the little things, so taking a moment to go up in the air and enjoy the incredible views is paramount to maximizing your contentment in the aviation industry.
Flying is cool, so do it.
Fight Burn Out with Hobbies
How many people do you know that are completely and totally defined as a person by their jobs? The goal is to stop that.
Sure, being an aviation mechanic is great, but it’s not the essence of who you are. The same goes for any job or field of work. People don’t have to be defined by a singular subject. It’s fine if that is your thing, but you don’t have to make it a fact.
Not all gym bros only go to the gym. Social media influencers don’t ONLY play on social media. Bands and musicians don’t play their instruments 24/7. People have hobbies and do things besides their job only. It’s important not to get lost and become defined by your work. This is an easy thing to do, especially when you love your work.
The perfect example would be high-level athletes, like Olympians, that get so involved in their sport that when they retire, they don’t know what to do. Or Olympians that work so hard at their craft that they end up burning out and hating what they do. They typically end up falling into drugs and alcohol or quitting the sport altogether. There is a simple thing you can do to make sure this doesn’t happen to you: Have a hobby or two. Human beings tend to be multi-passionate individuals. Humans like more than one thing. It’s as simple as that.
To help fight burnout, you are allowed to like and enjoy your work, but you can also like and enjoy doing other things. Some people may find the solace they seek by going to the gym, some like hiking, others camping, some people are musically inclined, and sometimes simply hanging out at home with your significant other is enough.
Don’t get caught up singularly in aviation.
Remember though, in order to be the best you can be at your trade you need to consistently be adding education in the field, especially in aviation. Fight the frustration of tough mechanical issues by focusing on enjoying the flying aspect. Last, but not least, remember to continue to pursue other hobbies to fight burnout by focusing too hard on a single subject.