NBAA Helps Outgoing Military AMTs Move to Business Aviation

In the coming years, increasing the ranks of business aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) to match projected growth and replace retiring employees will be critical to the industry’s success. NBAA’s Maintenance Committee is working to fill the gap by helping military aircraft maintainers who are planning for life after their military service.

An estimated 22,000 service members with aviation maintenance backgrounds leave the military every year, according to the Aviation Technician Education Council, but last year, only about 1,500 veterans with aviation maintenance experience earned their A&P certificates. According to the U.S. Senate, the aviation industry currently captures less than 10% of military AMTs.

With that in mind, three veterans – aviation managers Nate Dietsch and Kevin Flynn of NBAA’s Maintenance Committee and Stewart D’Leon, NBAA director, environmental and technical operations – met with airmen of the 121MXG at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, OH, to offer guidance. One thing is clear: the current AMT job market is very good, with plenty of openings.

“Right now, we’re facing a technician shortage,” said Dietsch, who served in the Marine Corps for 14 years as a flight engineer for C-130s and military VIP transport. “In the next few years, we’re going to have a lot of technicians retiring. Keeping the talent pipeline flowing is going to be challenging for us because a lot of service members aren’t aware of the business aviation sector.”

Wanted: 74,000 Business Aviation AMTs

By 2032, an estimated 74,000 new business aviation AMTs will be needed to replace retirees and to keep up with industry growth, according to a report by CAE. A wave of retirees is expected, as the average age of FAA-certified AMTs is 54, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“We need technicians with aptitude and skills who are willing to challenge themselves, troubleshoot and follow procedures,” Dietsch told the audience.

Flynn, who served in the Air Force as an A-10 crew chief, told the troops that having a military background helped him succeed in business aviation. “Luckily, with military experience, the stress and experience you guys have, you adapt so quickly to the civilian world, especially to business aviation. I find business aviation to be like working in a mini squadron.”

Dietsch, Flynn and D’Leon, a former Air Force avionics technician who worked KC-135 R/T tankers and HH-60 (G) combat rescue helicopters, wanted to share some of the guidance they missed when they left the military. “Whenever you decide to look at the next step in your career, hopefully we can help you with that,” D’Leon said.

Before he separated, Flynn was able to get into a program that allowed him to train and test for an FAA A&P certificate. “I was able to pretty much hit the ground running when I separated, which was the key, because there’s a lot of people who, at the end of their enlistments, just didn’t plan,” Flynn said. “They were kind of like, ‘What do I do now? Where am I going to live? What am I going to do for work to make money in the interim?’ So, I credit a few people at the time who mentioned I should get my A&P. They literally changed my life.”

Keys to Moving From Military to Business Aviation

The discussion at Rickenbacker also included several important ideas aimed at helping troops with aviation maintenance experience successfully and smoothly make the move to a business aviation career path.

• Earn your FAA A&P certificate before you separate from the military.
• Use LinkedIn to build a network of industry contacts who can help your job search.
• Track job boards at jobs.nbaa.org, charter companies, MROs and aircraft manufacturers.
• Attend business aviation events such as the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) or the NBAA Maintenance Conference, where you can easily introduce yourself and make important connections to find job opportunities.
• Get involved in local and regional business aviation groups. Introduce yourself and network.
• Find and apply for scholarships like the NBAA Maintenance AMT Scholarship or the Hank Hilsman Memorial Scholarship.
• Before separation, get specific civilian work experience through the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program.

Also, the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act includes new provisions to streamline the transition for military servicemembers to civil aviation maintenance careers by requiring the creation of a new military mechanic competency test. The legislation also has measures aimed at increasing FAA outreach and engagement to help troops earn civilian maintenance certifications.

“Your skills will go far in the civilian world,” said D’Leon. “You’ll see where you’re able to leverage those things from your time in the military that are really valuable. The key is making sure you’re taking advantage of all the opportunities out there that will help you make the transition smoothly.”