October_2021 - 18

Cory Rodriguez, 33, Aviation Maintenance Supervisor, Wilks Brothers LLC, Abilene, TX
" F
iguring out how things work and how to fix them has always
intrigued me, " said Cory Rodriguez, aviation maintenance
supervisor for Wilks Brothers LLC in Cisco, Texas. Working with
his hands has always been a strong suit of Rodriguez, and fortunate
to have an A&P school nearby, the thought of working on jets and
helicopters caught his attention.
He attended TSTC in Abilene, Texas and received his A&P certificate
in 2010. His first job was for Envoy, working on Embraer
aircraft, he then worked for a local general aviation facility for
about four years and at age of 28 received his IA.
Today at Wilks Brothers, Rodriguez is the maintenance supervisor
for a fleet of corporate aircraft that includes a Global XRS, two
Cessna Citation X, Bell 429, Beechcraft Bonanza G36, Cirrus SR22
GTS and a Cessna 172 Skyhawk.
He is in charge of performing all maintenance done in-house, setting
up large inspections with facilities across the U.S., performing
annuals on piston planes, tracking upcoming due items and making
sure aircraft are not out for maintenance when they are needed.
Gregory Simmons Memorial Airport is a privately owned airport
open to the public. The runway is 100 feet by 6,000 feet and includes
an FBO and two hangars. Rodriguez helps maintain the airport.
He also tows and fuels aircraft and gets them ready for departures
at any time of day. " I am there to help them any way needed, " he
said, adding the airport has handled everything
from a Cessna 150 to a C130. He also
maintains airport equipment like lawnmowers,
weed eaters, a John Deere tractor and the
1,500-gallon jet fuel truck. He's been with the
company for four years. Today, he is a one-man
maintenance crew that remains focused on
maintaining a safe work environment. " We
have yet to have a missed flight due to maintenance
issues or safety incursion, " he said.
In addition to his associates degree, he has taken courses relating
to Bell 429 and Global XRS maintenance, Citation X advanced
diagnostics and many FAA online courses. " Upon completing A&P
school, " he said, " I did not know anyone in the aviation field, I have
been very determined and very blessed to be where I am today. "
A mentor to younger or soon-to-be mechanics, Rodriguez shows
them there is more than line maintenance for those who are interested.
" There are so many opportunities for mechanics to get out
there, you just have to look for them and not be scared to put yourself
out there or maybe out of your comfort zone, " he said.
Recently, Rodriguez obtained a private pilot license flying his
Cessna 150 and is working on his instrument rating with the goal
of becoming a corporate pilot/mechanic.
Matthew Roberts, 30, Aircraft Maintenance Technician - RON Check, Southwest Airlines, Los Angeles, CA
M
atthew Roberts was destined to work in the aviation industry.
" My father ran tech ops and later all operations for Northwest
Airlines during my childhood, " said Roberts. " As a child, I can
remember walking through the hangar with my dad in awe of the
aircraft. It's in my blood. I've been lucky to have my father as a
mentor during my time leading up to and during my career in
aviation. It's been a great asset to have someone like him, who is
extremely knowledgeable on the subject and will never lead me in
the wrong direction. "
Roberts started his career as an aircraft mechanic working for
SkyWest Airlines in the Palm Springs, California hangar base.
During his time at SkyWest, he was a mechanic and later aircraft
maintenance supervisor of " the graveyard shift. "
About two and a half years ago, he moved to Southwest Airlines,
working at the line maintenance base at LAX. As a RON Check
AMT, he's now working on overnight aircraft and thru flights. " I
currently perform overnight checks on the flight line consisting
of up to 30 day checks, along with troubleshooting and clearing all
inbound write-ups and items on MEL. Before aircraft terminate,
I work thru flights and gate calls on originating aircraft. I also
occasionally work shifts during the day in a true line maintenance
environment, troubleshooting inbound discrepancies, " he said.
For 2019-20, he was awarded the Southwest Airlines Top Wrench
award for the LAX Line Maintenance Base. This award is based
18 OCTOBER 2021
on work performance and overall attitude.
Roberts attended Spartan College of
Aeronautics & Technology in Inglewood,
California, (for his A&P).
At SkyWest Airlines, he received Gen Fam
training on the CRJ 200, CRJ 700/900, and
the Embraer 175 and completed training in
EWIS , APU Line Maintenance, Principles of
Troubleshooting, and received a certification
for Liquid Penetrant Inspection I from NDI Consultants Inc. He
was also qualified in CAT II Appendix B, and an Engine Run/Taxi
Instructor for all fleet types. To date at Southwest Airlines, he has
received systems/Gen Fam training for the Boeing 737 700/800
NG and the 737 MAX. He is 737 NG/MAX ETOPS-authorized, 737
NG/MAX CAT III HGS-qualified, and 737 NG/MAX engine run/
taxi-qualified.
His short-term career goal is to further his knowledge and
experience in his current setting. He appreciates learning from
the experienced mechanics he has the pleasure of working with.
His long-term career goal is to move into management within the
Southwest Airlines Tech Ops Department.
He is thankful for SkyWest and Southwest and those who have
helped him and said he tries to give back by promoting the craft to
others who may not have considered it as a career choice.
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

October_2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October_2021