July-August 2022 - 33

Age: 37
Hometown: Franklin
Square, New York
Someone I look up to in
the industry: My dad, Mike
Tarascio
Favorite hobby: I'm big into
video games. I love baseball,
my favorite team is the New
York Mets, and I'm also an
avid drummer.
Favorite thing about
aviation: It's fantastic that
it enables us to go to these
real special places, have
these special experiences
with my family and my kids.
Gregory Tarascio
Director of Maintenance, Ventura Air Services, Inc.
Gregory Tarascio grew up second generation
in a flight school family business - Ventura Air
Services.
" I started coming with my dad here when I was
about 8 years old. Started with sweeping up and
cleaning up around the shop and learning about
the tools that are used, handing him tools as needed, "
Tarascio said. " I really value the time and the
skill. Everything was definitely multipurpose. So I
got to spend time with my father and same with my
brothers. And in the meantime, we were learning
a very valuable skill. "
Tarascio would go on to serve as an A&P mechanic,
keeping the business' charter jet fleet flying, as
well as maintaining and supporting the customer
service side of Ventura's maintenance business.
Eventually, he would be promoted to director of
maintenance, and be instrumental in helping
Ventura earn their Argus Platinum certification.
He also helped them earn " 10 or More " approval
for their first heavy jet, and continually broke company
records for the amount of Garmin product
installed in customer aircraft.
" I feel like every day is different. Not one day is the
same as the next. We are always doing a different
task or we have a different problem to solve,
troubleshooting something we've never troubleshot
before. Figuring our way through these unique
problems, in some cases, and it's almost like doing
puzzles - figuring out a way to organize the pieces
in a way that works, " Tarascio said on the enjoyment
he finds in his work. " It never gets boring
or tedious. "
Tarascio said he wishes more people would get
into the field, as the skills you learn working on aircraft
can transfer over to many other areas of life.
" I feel like the skills you learn being an A&P has
really crossed over quite well into a bunch of facets
of my life. Whether it be working on stuff at
my house; you know at least general electrical
knowledge. Troubleshooting is such a big deal.
And that's where I wish that there was more focus
on training how to troubleshoot and how to dumb
down a system to learn what's actually at fault.
But carrying that skill set over that you learn as
an A&P, it really can help you go into a bunch of
other areas, " he said.
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Uzair Shahid
Sr. Aircraft Maintenance Technician, FedEx Express
Uzair Shahid was born and raised in Pakistan. He
Age: 31
Hometown: Bear, Delaware,
and originally Lahore,
Pakistan
Alma mater: PIA Training
Centre and Preston
University in Pakistan
Fun fact: I like making my
colleagues try spicy food
just to get them used to it.
Someone I look up to in
the industry: My uncle and
all the mentors I have been
around in Pakistan and the
U.S.
started his aviation career as an apprentice with
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) at age 21. His
passion for aviation came from his uncle, who was
director of maintenance for the airline.
While working for PIA doing line maintenance and
engine overhauls, Shahid received recognitions
for his work and was promoted to senior technician.
He worked on Boeing 777, 747 and 737, and
Airbus 310 and 320, as well as ATR 72 and 42. He
continued working for the airline while obtaining
a bachelor's from Preston University.
" I like the style of working in aviation industry, "
he said. " I have a Bachelor`s in Business
Administration but I never liked working a typical
office job. I liked something more enthusiastic
which I would be proud of doing and working on
the planes was something I knew that would be
interesting for me. "
After nearly five years in aviation, he immigrated
to the United States and immediately obtained
his A&P. He began working for Endeavor Air in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the temperatures
were not as hot, quite the opposite, and resources
were more plentiful. He worked on CRJs 900/700 &
200 and became run/taxi qualified on those aircraft.
A year and a half later, he started at FedEx Express
as an aircraft maintenance technician at the
Philadelphia International Airport. Recently he
was promoted to senior aircraft maintenance
technician. Today he works on Boeing 777, 767
and 757, and Airbus 300 and MD 11/10s. He is
systems qualified on the Boeing 777, his favorite
aircraft, and is ETOPS, RII, LLM and RVSM qualified
on various fleet types at FedEx. Shahid said
he likes to learn and has completed the FedEx
" Advance into Management " course with the goal
of becoming a manager. To help others learn, he,
along with other FedEx technicians, completed a
quick troubleshooting guide.
In addition, he has a drone pilot license and started
his own business Nexity Drone Services, which
specializes in photography and virtual reality tours
for real estate companies.
" Coming to this country itself is a blessing, " he
said. " It's a great aviation loving country. "
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www.AviationPros.com 33
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July-August 2022

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