Behind the Hangar Doors: John Lincoln's Journey as an Aircraft Technician
"I’m on a path that I set for myself. "
John Lincoln's aviation career has been made possible through his own ambition and the quality training program he completed. 79 Throughout the course of his career, he’s had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles, from mechanic lead and base manager to avionics technician. His experience spans from working on baby jets to an Airbus A380 in diverse departments like regionals and cargo. He’s currently working at Endeavor Air as a motor maintenance operations tech rep and loving it!
"What do I love about aviation in general? It’s something new every day. It’s something most people don’t get to do and it’s a small world," he said. His workdays are never the same. One day could be regular routine work, and the next could involve engine changes and road trips to bring aircraft back into service.
Over his 15-plus years in the industry, he's run into old schoolmates around the world.
"It’s funny to think of aviation as a small world but it really is and it’s a tight-knit community," he shares.
His training program played a crucial role in preparing him for this exciting career.
"It definitely prepared me for aviation,” John says. “[It] has been the basis for anything that I’ve been able to do in my career today.” He recalls questioning why certain things needed to be learned, only to appreciate their importance later on.
An impactful memory was when he was forced to learn how to blend a blade using a file—a skill that later helped him bring a plane back into service in a short amount of time. He reached out to his director to express his gratitude for the valuable lesson, stating, "That’s just one example that I remember of my time at the school and how it’s really paid off for me."
His education and training have been instrumental in his success, as John says.
"It means the world. It is what allows me to do what I do today," he says.
John shares that his current role he holds with Endeavor Air as a Tech Rep is the most fulfilling one he’s had, a position he wouldn't have been able to take on without his education and experience as a technician. His goal is to continue building his team and expanding their operations.
"I’m on a path that I set for myself. I really enjoy being a tech rep," John says.
For those considering a career in aviation maintenance, his advice is simple: "Get in the program and stick with it.” He believes that there are many possibilities, not just within aviation but in other career paths as well.
His backup plan (if he ever wanted to leave aviation) involves facility maintenance, a field where his qualifications in pneumatics, hydraulics, electrical, schematic reading and sheet metal work could be valuable.
"There’s a demand for aviation techs now more than ever I think," he notes, adding that many technicians are reaching retirement age, allowing for new technicians to come into the aviation industry.