FLIGHT PATH QUICK FACTS Ann Protheroe
Air Evac Lifeteam Maryville, Illinois CURRENT JOB
I’m a base mechanic for Air
Evac Lifeteam, responsible for maintaining a medical-transport Bell 206 L4. I also travel to assist other base mechanics or cover for them when they’re off duty.
FIRST AVIATION JOB US Marine Corps intermediate-
level jet engine mechanic for the T400 and T700 engines for the Bell UH-1N and AH-1W.
FAVORITE HELICOPTER
The UH-1 Huey. I just love the sound of the blades as they chop through the air.
What advice would you give someone pursuing your path? Never stop learning. Aviation is an ever-changing career.
How did you decide helicopter aviation was the career for you? I had worked for over nine years on fixed-wing aircraft and decided I wanted something more technically challenging. I felt that helicopters fit that need perfectly.
Tell us about your first helicopter ride.
My first helicopter ride was in a Bell 407. We flew along the Gulf Coast of northwest Florida. I always enjoy the beauty of flying along the coast.
“The people who inspire me most
are the ones who doubt my ability. They inspire me to become the best mechanic I can be.”
Who has inspired you? There have been and continue to be many people who inspire me. The ones who inspire me the most are people who doubt my ability. Those are the ones who inspire me to go above and beyond to become the best mechanic I can be.
What still excites you about helicopter aviation? Knowing that maintaining the helicopters will save someone’s life who might not otherwise get the care they need as quickly. Every time I see my helicopter fly off, I smile knowing that we [on the team] have all done a good thing.
What challenges you about your work? Avionics and electrical issues challenge me; they’re like puzzles you have to figure out one piece at a time.
If you couldn’t pursue your career, what would you like to do instead? I’d like to work with a company that makes fur- niture out of salvaged aircraft. That would allow me to be creative and still have a connection with aircraft.
66 ROTOR 2020 Q4
What issue do you think poses the biggest threat to the helicopter industry today?
I think the biggest threat is the lack of quality helicopter mechanics. It takes a large amount of knowledge and a larger amount of dedication.
Complete this sentence: I know I picked the right career when … I watch the aircraft I’ve been working on fly off into the sky. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment.
Complete this sentence: I love my job, but not when …
I get a call in the middle of a winter’s night and realize a 30-minute ground run is required and it’s -3ºF outside. Brrrrr…
What are your career goals? One of my career goals is to gain more experi- ence and education in avionics, due to the increasing use of more up-to-date technology.
How did you get to where you are now? I’m where I am in my career today because of my hard work and dedication to my profession.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
