Aircraft Maintenance Technology - 30

Nick Downey, 39, Project Manager, AAR Aircraft Services Duluth, MN
"

hen I was 19, I was really unsure what direction I was
going in life," says Nick Downey. "My father was a pilot and
taught at a flight school at Scott Air Force Base. I never had a real
interest in flying, but I loved the environment and camaraderie
of the aviation community. Not to mention, my grandfather, who
was a World War II veteran, always loved aviation but couldn't
get into it due to his vision. He preached to me at a young age
that aviation was the way of the future. I looked up to him more
than anyone else in my life. I decided college wasn't for me at
that time, so I decided to enlist in the Active Duty Air Force."
Downey spent 12 years in the Air Force as an electro/environmental flightline technician, traveling the world and meeting
some of the most gifted mechanics he has ever met. He primarily worked C-130's his first six years at both Ramstein AB and
Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. During the last six years of
his enlistment, he had the honor of working on the B-2A Spirit
at Whiteman AFB, MO. He later went on to the Aviation Institute
of Maintenance in Kansas City, MO. Upon graduation, he came to
work at AAR Duluth, where he started as an avionic technician.
Over the past five years, he went from technician, to Avionic lead,
to maintenance supervisor to now a project manager where he
runs two lines of maintenance.
Downey credits three mentors he's had during different stages

of his career with helping mold him into the
leader that he is today. Scott Mousseau was
his first lead tech when Downey reached
his first duty station of Ramstein Air Base
in Germany. "Mousseau took the time to
show me the ropes and helped me tie all
the information and job knowledge learned
in tech school together, to help me perform
my day-to-day duties on C-130's," Downey
recalls. After Downey separated from the military and attended
A&P school in Kansas City, he says most of the information he
was receiving were things he had years of experience doing.
"Damon Bradshaw found ways to keep me interested, whether
it be developing more advanced troubleshooting techniques or
learning different leadership styles needed for today's business
styles in the aircraft industry." After one year at AAR Duluth,
Downer was put in a supervisory role on second shift, covering
the weekends. On this shift, there were very few upper management there, and most of the training was on-the-job-training. "Kim
Trippler taught me everything I needed to know about being a
supervisor, as his 40-plus years in the industry and willingness
to take the time to answer my questions and lead by example,
helped mold me into the leader I am today."

Rachel Klebe, 27, Lead Mechanic A&P/ IA, Galvin Flying, Seattle, WA

rom a young age, Rachel Klebe says she has loved to fly and
when she started on the question of picking a career, she
knew she wanted something that would challenge her as well as
fulfill her and her passions. The answer was aircraft mechanic.
Graduating from A&P school in 2012, Klebe was hired straight
out of school at Clover Park Technical College in Puyallup,
Washington, by Greg Woodruff, director of maintenance at Galvin
Flying, who she says has been her biggest mentor since she
entered the aviation field.
"I would have to say that Greg Woodruff, who has been my
boss for the entirety of my career, has been my biggest mentor.
He hired me when I was straight out of school and has always
encouraged and believed in me. He pushes me to step outside
of my comfort zone and is always willing to help me in any way
he can. I would not be where I am today without his encouragement and mentorship," said Klebe.
"Rachel is a very capable and trustworthy person who really
cares about our customers and getting them back into the air as
soon as possible while maintaining the utmost in professionalism.
She is really a 'go-getter,'" Woodruff described when nominating
Klebe for the Next Gen awards.
At Galvin Flying, Klebe's responsibilities as lead mechanic
include conducting 100 hours and annual inspections on the

30 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

flight school aircraft, as well as private customers. She oversees a team of mechanics
and works with the fleet manager at Galvin
Flying to schedule upcoming maintenance.
Klebe is also a member of Women In
Aviation, and volunteers her time with the
Amelia Aero Club through The Museum of
Flight in Seattle, Washington, mentoring
young girls about pursuing aviation as well
as speaking with girls in the STEM fields about being a female
in aviation maintenance.
"If you love any aspect of aviation pursue it. The world of
aviation needs new minds and new ideas who are passionate
about seeing growth in this field. Aviation Maintenance in general can seem overwhelming but is honestly one of the best jobs
a person could have," Klebe tells those thinking about joining
the aviation world.
In the future, Klebe hopes to continue helping and inspiring
others by way of flight.
"My next career goal is to achieve my pilot's license. I eventually desire to fly in undeveloped countries to support the local
communities in gaining resources and ease of transportation for
emergencies," she says.

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

Aircraft Maintenance Technology

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