FROM THE PUBLISHER
I once had an instructor that always emphasized that every mechanic should be a student of OPM. When I first heard it, I asked “what’s OPM?” He said OPM stood for Other Peoples Mistakes. As a mechanic, this isn’t as easy as you
OPM
would think. One of the traits of a good mechanic is to be somewhat introverted. This isn’t a bad thing. The ability to shield yourself from distractions is important. Distractions are often responsible for missing checklist items, for taking your focus off an item that you’re inspecting or for disrupting a briefing of another shift that’s taking over your work. But I must say that the most successful people that I’ve known in the maintenance business often take time to look around at what’s happening around them — what’s happening in their facility, what’s happening in other operations similar to theirs and what’s happening in the industry as a whole. For example, our cover subject in the June
PUBLISHER
GREG NAPERT
gnapert@DOMmagazine.com
issue of D.O.M., Jim Dillavou, emphasized that he asks lots of questions before taking on a new endeavor. He said that when he designed and built their new hangar, he spoke to several people that had recently built their maintenance hangars. He not only wanted to know what they felt they did correctly, but what mistakes they made that they would not do again!
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK Dillavou told me he talks to other directors of maintenance, mechanics and maintenance managers regularly and considers himself to be very social. In fact, I was recently at the NBAA Maintenance Conference in Fort Worth where I ran into Dillavou and he was doing nothing less than standing there talking to three or four other maintenance directors. He also mentions being involved on a few maintenance committees and boards. And it’s important not only for those with management titles — but for all mechanics. In fact, every mechanic is technically a manager. You manage each job you work on. You manage your tools, your paperwork, your interaction with other mechanics — even your career!
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Simply talking it up with other mechanics
at your facility is a great way to start. Ask others if they have done the procedure/task you are about to do or share your experiences, both good and bad, on a daily basis. If you have the opportunity, get outside of
your facility to meet other mechanics as well. There are many regional events that are likely being held in your area. IA renewal meetings are a great place to rub elbows and make professional contacts. Some of these meetings are free, and many are less than $100. NBAA holds several Regional Seminars, for example, that can be attended for around $100 — and that price includes educational seminars and a meal. Depending on the trade show, national trade shows and conferences can also be attended for little or no cost, however there are often added expenses related to travel and lodging if the conference isn’t in your area. Regardless, don’t hesitate to ask about free passes to these shows. Often trade show organizers will advertise a rate for attendance, but as the show nears, they frequently offer free passes. Also, look at a list of exhibitors and see if one of them is someone that you do business with. Many exhibitors have access to visitor badges or day passes. Another way to gain low cost or even free access to shows is to volunteer as a committee member. Many associations will “Comp” your pass to the show if you are a member of one of their committees. They need input from people in the business – and will often welcome your knowledge. Your company may need to be a member of the association, but not always.
The bottom line is to learn from other
people. Don’t sit around and say “my employer won’t send me to such and such.” YOU are responsible for your efficiency as a mechanic — and for your career. Whether you just want to be the best mechanic possible, or climb the ladder to a management position, you need to learn from others and learn every day. The best in the business subscribe to this philosophy weather they do it intentionally or not. .
Thanks for reading! Greg Napert, Proud to be an A&P
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