We recently caught up with Lewis O’Brien, a Fleet Support Technician at Skyborne, to see how his career has progressed since joining the academy as a Fleet Support Assistant in 2022, aged 18.
Lewis previously shared his story with Gloucestershire Live. Now, we find out where his career has taken him since.
Q: It’s been a few years since we last shared your story. What is your role at Skyborne now, and how has your career progressed since then?
“Since joining Skyborne, I’ve progressed from Fleet Support Assistant to Junior Fleet Technician, and I’m now a Fleet Support Technician.
I’ve been fortunate to have some great opportunities along the way, including travelling to Austria to the aircraft manufacturer’s headquarters for further training, where I learnt more about the different aircraft systems.
I’ve also successfully gained my Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence, which means I can communicate with Air Traffic Control. It’s been great to continue building my knowledge and skills alongside my experience in the role.”
Q: What first made you want to pursue aircraft engineering?
“I’ve always known that I wanted to be an engineer. When I was younger, I really enjoyed working with my hands, building things with LEGO and Meccano and following the instructions to see how things worked.
I’ve always enjoyed the practical side of things, as well as following procedures and working out how things fit together.
Aircraft engineering seemed like a great fit for me. There’s also something really rewarding about seeing an aircraft take off and knowing that I’ve played a part in getting that aircraft into the air.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about the job?
“For me, one of the best things about the job is the team I work with. There’s a really good sense of camaraderie, and everyone is willing to help each other out.
I also enjoy the variety of jobs. No two days are the same, and you can deal with different challenges and problems that need to be worked through. I also really value the work-life balance at Skyborne.”
Q: How does your work at Skyborne contribute to pilot training? What goes on behind the scenes to keep aircraft ready for trainees to fly?
“Our role is essential to the pilot training operation because the aircraft need to be safe, serviceable and ready to fly.
When defects or issues arise, we need to be able to react quickly, identify the problem and rectify it safely and efficiently, so we can keep the aircraft available for training.
There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to keep the fleet running. Our job is to make sure the aircraft are maintained to the required standards and are ready for the trainees to use, while always putting safety first.”
Q: What’s been your biggest or proudest moment of your career at Skyborne so far?
“My proudest moment at Skyborne so far has been completing my type rating training in Austria.
I loved being able to travel to the aircraft manufacturer’s headquarters and learn more about the aircraft and its systems.”
Q: What would you say to someone considering an engineering career today?
“There’s a huge demand for engineers within the industry, so there are plenty of opportunities to develop and progress.
It’s also a really rewarding job. You’re constantly learning new things, developing your skills and solving problems, and seeing the direct impact your work has.
If you enjoy working with your hands, figuring out how things work and being part of a team, I’d definitely encourage you to look into aircraft engineering.”
Q: What’s next for you? Are there any qualifications, responsibilities or areas you’d like to progress into?
“I’m keen to continue developing my skills and experience, particularly in terms of my communication and leadership skills. I’m also currently working towards my B1 licence, which will be an important step in my development, although I’m looking at it as part of my overall career progression rather than an end goal.
I’d like to continue learning, take on new challenges and progress within the industry, while maintaining a good balance between my career and life outside of work. For me, it’s about continuing to move forward, developing my skills and seeing where the opportunities take me.”
Interested in following in Lewis’ footsteps? Explore engineering career opportunities at Skyborne.
