When I started my internship at Basler Turbo Conversions in June, I knew I was stepping into an opportunity that would allow me to take what I had been learning in the classroom and apply it to real aircraft. What I didn't fully understand was that working on an aircraft is much different from learning about aircraft maintenance in school.

As an intern and maintenance technician, I have had the opportunity to work on one of aviation's most recognizable aircraft: the Douglas DC-3. At Basler, these aircraft receive a new life through conversion and modernization, and being able to contribute to that process has given me a completely different perspective on aircraft maintenance.

Starting With the Basics

One of my first training tasks was learning how to properly drill and remove a rivet. It may seem like a relatively small skill, especially when looking at the enormous amount of work involved in a DC-3 conversion, but it taught me an important lesson right away.

Aircraft maintenance requires patience and precision. A mistake on something as simple as removing a rivet can create additional work or damage a component that needs to be preserved. Learning to do the job correctly rather than simply doing it quickly was one of my first lessons on the production floor. From there, I quickly moved into much larger tasks.

The conversion I was working on was just beginning, and I became involved in removing the wings and interior panels. Watching an aircraft of that size gradually come apart was an experience in itself. Parts that had been part of a complete, functioning airplane were being carefully removed as the aircraft began its transformation.

Learning What School Can't Teach You

One of the biggest surprises for me has been how willing my coworkers are to share their knowledge.  Coming into the job, I expected that I would have a lot to learn. What I didn't necessarily expect was how willing experienced technicians would be to stop, explain something, demonstrate a technique, or offer advice about how to approach a problem. That willingness to teach has made a huge difference in my experience.

School provides an important foundation. It teaches you the principles behind aircraft systems, maintenance practices, regulations, materials, and procedures. But once you are standing in front of an actual aircraft, you quickly discover that there isn't always a textbook answer for every problem. Real aircraft don't always cooperate.

Sometimes you have to figure out how to reach a particular fastener. Sometimes a component doesn't come apart the way you expected. Sometimes the obvious solution isn't possible because of the surrounding structure. That is where ingenuity becomes important.

The ability to look at a problem, understand the limitations you are working with, and come up with a safe and practical solution is something that is difficult to fully teach in a classroom. It is something you develop through experience, observation, and working alongside people who have solved those kinds of problems before.

Learning From Experience

My supervisor, Paul Rice, has probably had the biggest influence on what I have learned so far. Having someone with experience who is willing to explain not only what needs to be done, but why it needs to be done a certain way, has helped me develop my skills much faster.

Working alongside experienced technicians has also shown me how much knowledge comes from years of actually working on aircraft. There are techniques, habits, and ways of thinking that you don't fully appreciate until you see them being used on a real maintenance job. Every day has given me something new to take away.

Being Part of Something Bigger

The coolest part of my internship has been being a significant part of the enormous task of restoring and converting such a large aircraft. There is something different about looking at a DC-3 and knowing that you personally helped take part in its transformation.

Aircraft can seem almost timeless when you see them sitting on the ramp. But working on one gives you a different perspective. You begin to appreciate the amount of work, knowledge, planning, and craftsmanship required to keep an aircraft like that flying. Being able to contribute (even as an intern) has made the work especially rewarding. I'm not simply studying aircraft maintenance anymore. I'm actually participating in it.

Looking Toward the Future

My internship at Basler Turbo Conversions has given me a much better understanding of what it means to work in aviation maintenance. I've learned that technical knowledge is only one part of being a good technician. Patience, attention to detail, problem-solving, communication, and the willingness to learn from others are just as important. I still have a lot to learn, and that's one of the things I enjoy most about the job.

My goal is to continue building my skills and expanding my knowledge as I gain more experience. Eventually, I hope to continue with Basler and become part of a production crew, where I can take on greater responsibilities and contribute to more of the conversion process. Starting my aviation career at Basler has shown me that the path from the classroom to becoming a skilled aviation technician is built one task at a time. Sometimes that task is learning how to properly remove a rivet. Sometimes it is figuring out how to remove a stubborn component. Sometimes it is standing in the summer heat wearing a Tyvek suit. But every one of those experiences adds another piece to the bigger picture.

And for me, getting to help give yet another DC-3 back in the air has made every one of those lessons worth it.

-Nate Woodard