Tech Ops

Behind the Scenes Heroes: Inventory Clerks

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When you think of aviation maintenance, you probably picture mechanics using all sorts of tools to tinker with massive engines and replace various aircraft components. But where do they get the parts and those specialized tools? Inventory Clerks are responsible for the parts and tools in our Technical Stores. Each Maintenance base, aka airplane hangar, has a Technical Store where A&P Mechanics, Avionics Technicians, and Inspectors can get aircraft components or checkout tools of the trade.

Alex joined our Maintenance team as an Inventory Clerk nearly a year ago. In 2020, she was looking for a change of pace. As a nurse, the stress, loss, and magnitude of the pandemic were weighing on her. Alex’s mom suggested exploring our Inventory Clerk opening while deciding on a school to further her medical education. “This sounds fun,” Alex thought. “I can do this every day, and it’s not stressful.”

Inventory Clerks like Alex track inventory and keep things organized in the storage area.

Every shift as an Inventory Clerk is different. Alex explained, mornings are generally quieter and when they ship out repairable components. “We do more than I thought in the scope of things,” Alex said after reminiscing about starting in the position. “We ship big stuff, and I learned how to use the forklift.” Things pick up during the night shift when the Fed Ex shipment comes. Inventory Clerks catalog the incoming parts in the computer system and stock them on the shelves.

Inventory Clerks also have “pick lists” for every shift, which lists tools and parts the mechanics need to maintain and fix the aircraft at the hangar. Alex searches for things by finding the part number in our computer system, which tells her where the item is stored. “There are so many places we put things,” she explained. Daily, Inventory Clerks also ship parts to other Technical Stores locations.

Communication is essential on our Maintenance team. Let’s say an aircraft needs unexpected maintenance. The necessary part might be in Milwaukee, and the plane might be routed to Dayton because it’s the closest maintenance base. In this case, the Inventory Clerk on duty in Milwaukee would pack the high-priority part and ensure it ended up on one of our planes headed to Dayton. Then, the Inventory Clerk in Dayton might drive to the terminal to pick it up.

Each Technical Stores location is large and has many different storage areas. Alex can look up a part’s location and then “pick” or retrieve that part for the mechanic who requested it.

While computer and communication skills are vital to this position, don’t worry if you’ve never worked in aviation before. Most of our Inventory Clerks haven’t. If you have a question, ask! You’ll find Air Wisconsin team members are friendly. “I don’t know what different parts and tools do, but I ask, and [the mechanics] are really nice about telling me,” Alex said. “I always love the people I work with, and I enjoy being around planes.” Alex has always loved to travel, but working in a hangar is the first time she’s gotten to see how the aviation industry works behind the scenes.

One of the best things about working at Air Wisconsin–besides the people–is the travel privileges. Alex was no stranger to the concept. Her mom works at DGS, an aviation ground handling company, and Alex used her mother’s travel privileges for years. Now, she’s able to travel to Texas for a wedding, explore the Alaskan wilderness, and visit countless destinations using her own privileges. It’s an exciting perk for all full-time Air Wisconsin employees.

If you like what you learned about our Inventory Clerk position, apply today at www.airwis.com/careers.

Introducing Our New Role: Quality Control Managers

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Reinforcing our focus on safety, Air Wisconsin Airlines created a new position at all of our maintenance bases—the Quality Control Manager—reporting to the Chief Inspector. This role focuses on the proper implementation of the processes outlined in the General Maintenance Manual as well as DOT, FAA, and other Company policies and procedures. Establishing this position in each base provides more support to Aircraft Inspectors and the Tech Ops team as a whole.

Having another person on the floor with extensive experience allows for more mentorship opportunities. Quality Control Managers use their years of experience inspecting aircraft in FAR Part 121 Air Carrier environments to coach Aircraft Inspectors. By passing on their knowledge, Quality Control Managers help sharpen their co-workers’ skills, making sure that expertise stays within the Air Wisconsin family.

One of our CRJ-200s at our Milwaukee Tech Ops base.

Additionally, these managers contribute to their base in many other ways. Quality Control Managers help oversee work on the hangar floor, assist in building efficient schedules, and ensure the aircraft maintenance records at their base are processed timely and accurately. Additionally, they act as the department liaison with the DOT and FAA in local matters relating to airworthiness and regulatory compliance. Quality Control Managers also assist with internal and FAA audits, among other things.

We’re excited to add this new, impactful role to our Tech Ops team and look forward to finding the best candidates for the job. Learn more about qualifications HERE.

Explore all of our career opportunities at www.airwis.com/careers.

A&P Means Opportunity, Part 3: Technical Auditors

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If you missed Part 1: Maintenance Controllers read it HERE, or read Part 2: Maintenance Planning Coordinators HERE.

Safety is always the top priority in aviation. Air Wisconsin’s Tech Ops team follows regulations put in place by the FAA, DOT, OSHA and the EPA as well as company policies and procedures. Plus, we have an additional layer of oversite from the Quality Assurance Department to keep an eye on our operation and find ways to improve on processes.

As a Technical Auditor, you will become very familiar with all aspects of our maintenance operation since you’ll spend 75% of your time on the road visiting our base locations and vendors. The internal audits you preform will evaluate regulatory compliance and help determine the effectiveness of our policies and procedures. Using your past maintenance experience and excellent judgement, you can make recommendations for improvements to help our team work even safer and more efficiently.

In addition to developing and conducting audits for our base locations and maintenance offices, you will also audit vendors. Currently, Air Wisconsin uses a handful of outside facilities for heavy check maintenance and some on-call maintenance repairs. You will also inspect our fuel service providers to ensure they’re meeting specifications.

Here’s a photo from our operation in Chicago at O’Hare.

This career opportunity is great for someone with previous experience in a FAR Part 121 Air Carrier environment and a comprehensive understanding of the General Maintenance Manual system who also likes to travel. Like our Maintenance Planning Coordinator position, you don’t need an A&P certificate to be a Technical Auditor. But, this is an option to consider if you have an A&P and are looking to do something other than maintain aircraft.

It’s also worth mentioning that our Technical Auditors have flexibility when choosing a home base. You could be based at one of our maintenance facilities in Appleton, WI; Milwaukee, WI; Dayton; OH; or Columbia, SC or even in Chicago, IL where we use an on-call provider.

Learn more about the various positions we have on our Tech Ops team HERE.

A&P Means Opportunity, Part 2: Maintenance Planning Coordinators

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With an A&P certificate, you could work on aircraft or even behind-the-scenes in one of many different roles. Most people don’t realize that there are career opportunities available beyond performing aircraft maintenance. Last week, we explored what Maintenance Controllers do (Read it HERE), and this week let’s check out the purview of a Maintenance Planning Coordinator.

Maintenance Planning Coordinators work on a living puzzle. Analytical skills come in handy when interpreting detailed aircraft maintenance reports to help forecast scheduled maintenance for that day and looking as far as 18 days out. The Coordinator needs to be aware of the manpower available at each Tech Ops facility as well as what tools and parts are available to help craft and coordinate the scheduled maintenance plan.

Of course, as new information becomes available, the plan might need to change. A Maintenance Planning Coordinator may decide to defer some maintenance, within the requirements of the approved maintenance program, to provide relief during Irregular Operations. Or, some scheduled maintenance might be deferred to maximize another opportunity when requested by a maintenance supervisor or station manager. Timely, accurate analysis is crucial in the Coordinator’s role as final authority for deferring tasks and coming up with realistic solutions to achieve performance goals.

Here’s an inside look at one of our GE engines.

During a typical week, a Maintenance Planning Coordinator will work four 10 hour days, and the Coordinators all take turns rotating weekends. Like Maintenance Controllers, Maintenance Planning Coordinators work in the Systems Operation Center located at our headquarters in Appleton, WI, alongside Aircraft Dispatchers and Crew Schedulers.

While an A&P certificate is not required for this position, it is desired and will make you stand out as a candidate. Explore this opportunity and all of our career opportunities HERE.

Read on to learn about Technical Auditors HERE.

A&P Means Opportunity, Part 1: Maintenance Controllers

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You might be surprised to learn having an A&P certificate opens more doors than you think. Everyone pictures the mechanic working on the GE engine—which is an excellent and rewarding career path—but, did you know 30% of our Tech Ops team is made up of support roles? Many jobs are available beyond working on the aircraft.

Maintenance Controllers are the primary point of contact for all maintenance issues on our fleet. They work in the brain of our operation, the Systems Operation Center. If you’ve ever been on a flight waiting to takeoff when suddenly there is a maintenance issue, a Maintenance Controller is the one who determines the airworthiness of the maintenance issue, and if needed, sends a mechanic to fix the problem. They ensure airworthy aircraft are available for every flight and direct contingency maintenance during operations as needed.

While these detail oriented individuals never touch the aircraft, they are very familiar with how to fix aircraft, and most of them have past experience doing so. Our typical Maintenance Controller is a former A&P or Avionics Technician who was drawn to the position for the schedule (four days on, four days off with 11 hours shifts), interested in a “desk job,” and ready to do something a little different with their knowledge and skill set.

All of our Maintenance Controllers are based at our headquarters in Appleton, WI. Learn more HERE. Explore all of the openings on our Tech Ops team HERE.

Next, let’s explore what it means to be a Maintenance Planning Coordinator HERE.

A Destination for Veterans

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Veterans have the attention to detail, high standards, and leadership skills that we look for in candidates. The current shortage of licensed and unlicensed professionals means unlimited opportunities in aviation, especially for pilots and mechanics on our Tech Ops team.

In the segment below featured on Military Makeover: Operation Career, you will meet two employees who seamlessly transitioned into their civilian careers at Air Wisconsin.

Explore our opportunities at www.airwis.com/careers.