From Classroom to Cloud Nine: Isaiah Conner’s Story

Ever met someone who literally helps people soar to new heights for a living? Meet Isaiah Conner, a Brooklyn, New York, native whose technician skills help put planes in the sky. His story is proof that education has the power to transform lives and open doors to exciting opportunities.¹

His passion for airplanes ignited when he went on his first flight at the young age of seven years old. “I was going to Disneyland and they let my sister and I into the cockpit. I was amazed at all of the lights and workings of the plane,” he says. Little did he know that the most magical place on earth would be the heart of the hangar.

Flash forward to years later, Isaiah was trying to decide what to do. He knew he couldn’t stay in Brooklyn and wanted a career working with his hands. He recalls, “When I was originally researching schools I was looking up HVAC programs and then I saw aviation and it was over after that.”

Knowing nobody, he packed his bags and headed to Houston, Texas, where he completed our Airframe & Powerplant Technician program.

In and Out of the Classroom

When reflecting on his time in the program, a few things continue to stand out to him about the quality of education he received: his instructor relationships, the training itself and the resources available to students.

“The instructors, in the classroom and outside of the classroom, were extremely helpful!” He continues, “They didn’t just look at me like a student. There was a mutual level of respect that we gave each other and they all wanted me to succeed. I don’t think I could’ve done it without my instructors.”

Isaiah worked part-time while he was training and remembers moments of stress trying to balance everything while dealing with the culture shock of his surroundings. He contemplated quitting but his instructors encouraged him to stick it out and he’s forever thankful that they did.

He says, “School definitely prepared me for a lot. Both with my career and just in life. Especially when it came to testing for my license. And the tools! I love my Snap-on® tools.”^19,79 He also continues to utilize our Career Services team as an alumni to help him with his job search and professional development.

The Past, the Present and His Future

So, where’s Isaiah today? He landed at Delta Airlines in Atlanta, Georgia, where he works in the Base/Hangar Maintenance Department as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician II. His job requires him to deal with heavy maintenance and inspection of the aircrafts. "When airplanes get to us it’s because they’re broken and they need to get fixed." He continues, “Typically they have larger issues resulting in a longer time period for repairs.”

There's no typical day for Isaiah. Each aircraft that flies in brings a new obstacle, and it's his job to diagnose what's wrong. “You learn through time. You’re never gonna know everything. I’m learning everyday here.“

And he loves the fulfillment that his work brings. “There’s a sense of satisfaction that I get, knowing that I’m going to be the one that helps get the plane back into service,” he shares with pride. Isaiah’s career also aligns with his travel bug and financial goals. He says, “I want to be the one in my family to break the generational curse of ‘the struggle’.” 

Isaiah is currently ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-Engine Operations Performance Standards) certified, which means he can work on multiple fleets of airplanes that fly overseas. ETOPS certifications are difficult to achieve as they require many hours of training with the higher inspection that these fleets demand. Some of his additional certifications allow him to sign off or release an airplane back into service once the repairs have been completed.

His short-term goals include adding more certifications to his resume. “I want to make myself more marketable when lead positions open up.”

His ambitions don’t stop there. In the long-term, “I want to make it to the Delta legacy club, which is only offered to outstanding employees who have worked for the company for 40 years. I would also like to eventually get into leadership,” he says. But for now, he’s enjoying the complexities of his work. “I found something I love and I’m going to continue doing it until I can’t anymore.”

Advice From an Aviation Grad

We asked what advice he would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in aviation and what he shared was gold (don’t worry, we’re not going to gatekeep). Hear for yourself:

• “Don’t stop. Keep pushing toward your goals.”
• “Every day that you complete is another day that you’re getting closer toward your goals.”
• “Once you get your license, that could be your passport around the world.”
• “There are opportunities out there if you're willing to work hard for it. Potential financial opportunities, the people you can meet, the connections you can make. Some techs even travel around the world.”¹
• “It may seem unattainable but it goes within your willpower. Nothing is unreachable.”
• “People may say, ‘You have to go to a four-year college,’ but you don’t.”

If you can relate to any of Isaiah’s story – having a desire to change your future and train for a career where you can work with your hands – you should check out our Airframe & Powerplant Technician program! You too can push beyond your limits. For more information, reach out to us here.