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38 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY N ikolay Drobkov was still in high school, when a friend mentioned that he could earn his pilot's certificate. Drobkov had his first demo flight when he was 14. He saw aviation as a great opportunity. He first hired on as a courier at Era Aviation. When he got his foot in the door, his boss mentioned that working for the airline he could get his A&P; certificate through on-the-job train- ing. That sparked his interest, and he started helping out in the overhaul shop. After a few years, he became the overhaul shop lead techni- cian. After a few more years he earned his A&P; certificate and then managed the overhaul shop at Ravn Aviation and helped out on the floor providing assistance for the 1900 C&D; models and the Dash 8 Q100 maintenance. Then he transferred to Hageland Aviation, working on Cessna Grand Caravan 208B, 208EX, Reims F406, Cessna 207, and the Navajo PA-31. He was promoted to lead mechanic and would travel to outstations in Alaska maintaining aircraft and occasionally filling in for supervisors performing line maintenance and operations. After three years, he became quality control inspector/turbine records auditor. Besides his on-the-job training at Era Aviation, Ravn Aviation, and Hageland Aviation, he has received training at AeroTech Flight School, Alaska Technical Training, A-Scan Laboratories, North Star Aviation Services and FlightSafety. Nominated by Timothy Rogers, training coordinator, Ravn Aviation: "He makes it his job to continually learn more about each particular aircraft, practices sound troubleshooting techniques, and manages and encourages mechanics on his shift to do the same. He leads his mechanics in an effective manner, ensures they have what they need to complete the job, listens to their concerns, and corrects what needs to make it a sound worksite. He is a great example of an AMT, brings enthusiasm to his fellow workers, and consistently is dedicated to providing our airline with quality aircraft for service. He is dedicated to a safe work environment as well. He has recently been engaged in quality assurance work and shares his ideas on how to improve our inspection process to include technical writing of our docu- ments and General Maintenance Manual. His presence is key to our success and we encourage his continued quest for growth, knowledge, and enthusiasm." As for the future, Drobkov says, "I perform my best at my cur- rent job, and as opportunities arise I will be aiming for them. My goal would be to contribute and focus more on the safety side of aviation and work for organizations like the NTSB." NIKOLAY DROBKOV QC Inspector/Turbine Records Auditor, 29, Hageland Aviation, Palmer, AK A s a child Joshua Gibbs wanted to be a U.S. Marine. His Uncle Jeff was a mentor, and he was a helicopter pilot in the Army and always pushed Gibbs for excellence. During his initial military training Gibbs was drawn to helicopter main- tenance and flight. After the military, he was a contract instructor for Kawasaki Helicopter in Saudi Arabia and trained the Saudi helicopter crew chiefs how to maintain their helicopters. After that he attended MIAT College of Technology and earned his A&P; license. His first position out of school was with Turbine Marine in Florida. They recruited him to overhaul T-53 turbines for offshore race boats. It was not long until the owner decided to expand into the industrial market and they were coupling the same turbines with generators. This is when he stepped into more of a super- visor roll and assisted with the R&D; of the new units. Years later RedViking hired him to coordinate the machine build on their helicopter dynamometer stands. Through experience and training he was promoted throughout his five years there to the director of integration operations. He is currently with JEM Engineering as their operations manager. He runs the day-to-day operations for the engi- neering and production of antennas both for aerospace and other industries. Nominated by Amy Kienast, direc- tor of career services, MIAT College of Technology: "During his role with RedViking, he partnered with MIAT College of Technology and developed a Machine Builder Co-op program where A&P; students were hand selected through an interview process to work at RedViking Engineering to gain skills in an aerospace environment. He also volunteers his time on the MIAT Program Advisory Board and assists with cur- riculum development, equipment acquisition, and speaking to current students about careers in aviation and aerospace. His passion for getting youth interested in hands-on careers has also spilled over into the community and he is a member of the I-275 Industrial Corridor Committee that is focused on getting youth interested in the skilled trades." Gibbs says, "I have and will continue to help the industry by attending speaking engagements where I can talk to the younger generation about the future and how the aviation industry has improved my life." As for the future he intends to be the vice president of opera- tions by the time he is 40 and also plans to own his own vineyard. JOSHUA GIBBS Operations Manager, 36, JEM Engineering, Laurel, MD