Neal Ropp: Perfection On Demand

Aviation is a field that demands perfection," declared Neal Ropp. "With changing technology and the increasing cost of parts and overhead, it becomes an ever-growing challenge to contain costs for the customer and keep the aircraft safe for continued flight." Ropp is the director of maintenance for Averitt Air in Nashville, Tennessee.

Based at Nashville International Airport, Averitt Air has been in business for more than 30 years and offers a wide range of aircraft services, including passenger charter, aircraft maintenance, and aircraft management.

In his position with Averitt Air, Ropp manages 20 employees at the company's maintenance operations in Nashville and Sparta, Tennessee. "My current position is overseeing 20 mechanics in the day-to-day operation of two certified repair stations," he said. "I offer oversight on troubleshooting and problem-solving issues that arise on the hangar floor."

In demanding the highest standards from his cadre of dedicated mechanics , Ropp believes in formal and thorough training. "The FAA has several training programs, and the aircraft manufacturer programs offered by various training centers are always very helpful," he explained. "The use of these training programs, coupled with Averitt Air's in-house quality program, really gives an Averitt mechanic the best chance for success in the industry."

Ropp has worked in aviation maintenance for many years. He was previously maintenance program manager for Bombardier's Global Express and flew all around the world in the long-range jet.

In addition to his service with Global Express, Ropp served as director of maintenance for Mercury Air Center in Jackson, Mississippi. "At Mercury I directed all aspects of the certified repair station, with full maintenance, avionics, and parts departments," explained Ropp. "I was responsible for developing and operating within budget requirements, and ensuring continued business growth into the future."

Ropp added that one of his greatest contributions at Mercury wasn't tangible, but certainly important. "We established and maintained excellent customer relationships," he stressed. "This is absolutely key to any successful business."

His introduction to aviation occurred when he was a child. "When I was five years old, I took a ride in a Piper PA28-140 with my dad and a flight instructor," recalled Ropp. "My dad was thinking about getting his pilot license. I got to sit in my dad's lap and hold the control wheel. I wasn't flying the airplane, the instructor was, but I was hooked from that moment on. I knew I would be doing something in aviation when I grew up." Later, he chose to attend the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. While at Spartan, he earned his Airframe & Powerplant mechanic certificate and later earned his Inspection Authorization.

A student pilot with logged time in the King Air, the Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter, and the Navion, Ropp is currently working with the Experimental Aircraft Association for a Young Eagles Fly-in. He is expecting more than 300 young people and 10 volunteer aircraft to participate.

Being a pilot is a natural act for someone in maintenance, Ropp believes. "I would not think it would be unusual for anyone in the aviation industry to be a pilot," he explained. "Most people are in this industry because they love aircraft and part of that love drives people to want to know more about flying, maintenance, and aircraft in general."

A sidebar to his maintenance work is his ability to bring aviators together. "I planned and executed the first fly-in Averitt Air has ever had at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport at Sparta, Tennessee," he explained. "We had several warbirds including a T-33, P-51, and a Beech 18."

Ropp has had the experience of maintaining a wide variety of aircraft with multi-missions. Said Ropp: "I have maintained the Global Express, CRJ-700, Challenger 604, and the American Navion with speed mods including an IO-540 engine with a three-bladed prop that cruises at 160 knots."

What advice would he give for those in the field of aviation maintenance? "Aviation maintenance is a great field for someone who loves a challenge," he said.

Ropp emphasized that change is a constant in the aviation maintenance arena. As such, professionals in the field must constantly be in a learning mode. "People's lives depend on the decisions we make everyday in the maintenance of some of the most advanced aircraft in the world," he added. "This is not a field for someone who wants to learn one thing and do that their entire career; continuing education is a must in this field."