Boeing field service rep Brad Hudson.

Providing Global Military Support

For Brad Hudson, aviation maintenance is a bit different from most positions in the industry. Hudson is a contract field service representative for the Boeing Company based in Mesa, Arizona and works on the AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter.

"I come from a small farm in Missouri," said Hudson. "I didn't know what I wanted to do when I got out of high school. I just didn't want to go to school for four more years. My brother had already been in the Army for about a year. In talking to him about what Army life was like, he finally helped me make up my mind. I decided to join the Army also and go into the aviation field, and I chose to work on the Apache helicopter."

Hudson has been working on the AH-64A and AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters for nearly 17 years. He spent nine years in the Army working on Apaches and four days after he got out of the service joined McDonnell Douglas, which was eventually purchased by Boeing.

Hudson's day does not exactly typify that of many aviation mechanics. Currently his job involves supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom by serving with one of the Apache helicopter units based in Germany. "The days are long," he said, "ranging from 12 to 16 hours a day, but it feels good to help a young soldier out and help him get his aircraft back up and flying when it does have problems, especially knowing that it's going out to get the bad guys. Not only is it good for the soldier to see his aircraft go out but it also feels good for me because it's a product that I have seen go through many changes while in the Army and working for Boeing in Mesa."

For Hudson there are many attributes that characterize the true professional in the field of aviation maintenance. Hudson likes being able to teach someone how to do a task and knowing that they understand it when they walk away. "If your customers don't understand, don't just walk away. Show them how to do it and then walk away," said Hudson. "It may take two or three times to show them, but they need to learn, too. If I am teaching someone a task on the aircraft, I might do it a couple times, but I am going to make sure that they get the hands-on training that they need, so that when I walk away, they feel comfortable to do the work."

Hudson has evolved in the maintenance field enough so that he knows what it takes to succeed. His advice to others in the maintenance business is not to be afraid of the products. "You have to take care of the airplane or helicopter, and it will take care of you, so to speak," he said. "In reality, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask."

Hudson said people should go into the field with a good head on their shoulders and listen to what colleagues have to say and take their advice. There are a lot of "old timers" around who still have a lot of knowledge on the product and who welcome inquiries, he added. One day a seasoned professional in the aviation maintenance field will not have to ask so many questions but will be the ones of whom questions are asked.

"Don't get too wrapped up in learning how to do one specific job," Hudson explained. "Learn as much as you can every day. You don't want to be in a position where you have to tell your boss that you can't do the job because so-and-so always does that job and you never learned how to do it." The reality is that there are many opportunities to watch an individual perform a task, and when that task is mastered an individual may step in for some hands-on experience. If you forego that, you have missed a tremendous opportunity, according to Hudson.

For those who would like to enjoy a good career in the aviation maintenance industry, Hudson emphasized the value of focusing attention within the field to know exactly what area they would like to pursue. Then, he added, get as much education as you possibly can get in that field along with all the certifications necessary to help you get where you want to go.

He also emphasized that not every aviation company in the industry requires one to have an A&P certificate but many do require that. He suggested not to go to a company thinking that you have to know everything about the aircraft that you are going to be working on.

"I used to think the same thing but you will find out that when you get into the industry, people are willing to help you out," said Hudson. "There might even be something that you can teach someone else to help them out," he concluded. -- By Jim Romeo