The aircraft maintenance professional's source for technological advancements, maintenance alerts, news, articles, events, and careers
Issue link: http://amt.epubxp.com/i/904741
26 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY S tephen Dodd got into aviation because it was an interesting field with opportunities to travel the world and help people. Dodd received his apprenticeship and test preparedness course from Baker's School of Aeronautics. Advanced training includes Cirrus Advanced Composites, Cirrus Airframe Parachute System, Cessna Caravan factory training by FlightSafety International, and PT-6 engine from Pratt & Whitney. Dodd started as an A&P; apprentice just after high school at L&M; Aircraft in 2001. Next he accepted a two-year contract working for an organiza- tion called Mission Aviation Fellowship as an aviation maintenance specialist in Indonesia. He and his wife lived on the west coast of the island of Sumatra in the province of Aceh. He maintained the planes (mostly Cessna Caravans) helping with disaster relief and humanitarian missions after the tsunami that hit in December of 2004. He received his aviation maintenance engineer license from the Indonesian DGAC. He returned to Georgia and L&M; Aircraft and then sought a warmer climate in Florida. He took a job as the maintenance supervisor at Platinum Aviation, a Cirrus Authorized Service Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The training he received from Cirrus Aircraft shifted his career goals. He obtained his Inspection Authorization and went to work for the Cirrus Factory Service Center in Duluth, MN. He spent most of 2014 as the Cirrus field service represen- tative in the Middle East. He is now the senior crew chief for the Cirrus Factory Service Center in Knoxville, TN. He over- sees the daily operations of aircraft service and delivery at the Vision Center which maintains and inspects customer aircraft. Nominated by Dan Henchal, director of maintenance/factory services, Cirrus Aircraft Factory Service Center: Stephen was an integral part in starting the operation in Knoxville, has an established a rapport with customers internal/external, and is considered "expert" in Cirrus Aircraft all makes and models. His dedication has driven him to succeed as a leader with Cirrus in a very short period of time and will be instrumental in the company's continued growth and innovation." Dodd gives back to the aviation industry "by working for the most innovative company in general aviation. I also strive to teach the new technicians and interns the same way I was taught: hands-on experience and one on one mentorship." Moving forward in his career he wants to take on more leader- ship responsibilities and help with training. He also intends to continue traveling and helping people in need whenever he can. STEPHEN DODD Senior Crew Chief/Inspector, 36, Cirrus Aircraft Factory Service Center, Knoxville, TN J oshua Knowlton was motivated to get into the aviation indus- try after going through a divorce at the age of 32. He had been driving tow truck for seven years, was a high school dropout, had recently lost 130 pounds, and had decided it was time for a big change. He enrolled in the A&P; program at Lane Community College in Eugene, OR. While there he worked for Wally Anderson at Synergy Air building Vans RV aircraft. He purchased a 1942 Piper L4A Grasshopper project from Anderson so that he could learn tube and fabric while working at Synergy. He graduated with a 4.02 cumulative GPA and finished first in his class. He is the sole three-time recipient of the HAI Bill Sanderson scholarship and has used it to attend Bell 407 factory school, Bell 205 factory school, and Rolls-Royce M250C47B factory school training. While in college he was awarded the Tom Pitzer memo- rial scholarship from the Evergreen Foundation, the Joe Murphy memorial scholarship from the Lane Foundation, as well as the 2103 William "Bill" O'Brien scholarship from AMTSociety. After graduating college he departed Synergy and headed to PJ Helicopters in Northern California to learn rotorcraft mainte- nance. After spending a little over three years at PJ Helicopters he returned to Eugene to be closer to his daughter. He started working with a friend at The Ragwood Refactory restoring antique airplanes before deciding to return to the world of rotorcraft. That's when he took his current position as a field mechanic for Hillsboro Aviation. This summer he was in Moab, UT, and all around the western United States chasing a Bell 407 on various wildfires. When not in the field he works in the hangar performing maintenance, inspections, and overhaul of components on various rotorcraft owned by Hillsboro Aviation. Scott's way of giving back to the industry involves working to encourage young members of the aviation community. "I've spoken to classes of elementary age students, junior high, and high school age classes, as well as spoken to college classes to help spread the word about the exciting opportunities in aviation maintenance. Being the father of a 10-year-old girl I am particu- larly interested in involving more females in aviation and aviation maintenance. I believe that this industry needs to continue to work hard to get women more involved." He obtained his Inspection Authorization in July of 2016 and is always looking to further his education in any way possible. "My goals for the future include teaching at some level in an aviation setting as well as becoming a DME and a DAR. I am working on earning my private pilot's license currently as well as working to finish the restoration of my L4A Grasshopper." JOSHUA KNOWLTON Field Mechanic, 39, Hillsboro Aviation, Hillsboro, OR