The People Who Keep Us Flying: Celebrating Aviation Maintenance Technician Day

When it comes to aviation maintenance, our global team of technicians works tirelessly to deliver flawless results. Aviation maintenance technicians use their unique training and experience, along with deep expertise and a passion for aviation, to ensure customer satisfaction. To celebrate Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, we recognize three AMTs who enable Pratt & Whitney to "Go Beyond."

Hilary Kerstra, senior maintenance technician - Mobile Repair Team

Hilary Kerstra has always had a passion for aviation.

"I'm the first in my family to have a career in aviation. I originally wanted to be a pilot, but I've always been a person that wanted to fix things, so I naturally fell into this career path," she said. After attending Western Michigan University, Hilary joined Pratt & Whitney in 2014.

"Pratt & Whitney has a strong reputation of building great engines. You can see eyes light up when you say you work here. There's a lot of pride that comes with the role."

In her eight years with the company, Hilary has held numerous roles and worked on a variety of engines from the Pratt & Whitney Canada portfolio. Today, she primarily maintains the PW300 and PW500 series. Her role allows her to work both collaboratively and independently - a combination that leaves her feeling "empowered."

"I'm supported by a great team - I have the right tools and people I need to be successful," she said.

No day is typical - and that's what she loves most about the job.

"Every day is challenging, but it's a good challenge. There's a lot of on-the-job trouble shooting and problem solving - it keeps you on your toes," she said. "It's really fulfilling when you successfully finish a job and can learn from it."

There's also no typical location. Hilary and other members of the Mobile Repair Team travel the world to help customers wherever they are. Her role has taken her all over the United States, as well as to Switzerland, Costa Rica, and the Bahamas.

Hilary's passion for aviation extends into her personal life. She has a pilot's license and owns a small airplane, giving her even more of an appreciation for well-maintained aircraft.

Christopher Goodall, senior maintenance technician - Mobile Repair Team

Christopher Goodall and has been with Pratt & Whitney for 15 years.

A retired U.S. Marine, Christopher attended Redstone College in Colorado to kickstart his career as an aviation technician. Beginning his career as a staff technician, Christopher knew early on that he wanted to work for Pratt & Whitney.

"The engines are what drove me to join [Pratt & Whitney]. They're the best in the industry and the best to work on," he said.

Much like Hilary, no day and no job site looks the same for Christopher. His role has taken him across the world and to every U.S. state except Maine. When he arrives to a job, he studies the aircraft and troubleshoots to solve the issue, either independently or with a team. Over the years, Christopher has worked on a variety of engines from the Pratt & Whitney Canada portfolio - everything from PT6 engines to the PW800.

"I feel accomplished when I can fix something that I've never seen before - you never know what kind of issue you're going to be working with. It's a great feeling when you finally figure it out," he said.

He advises future technicians to "remain adaptive and overcome," a common saying among Marines that has served him well in his 15 years as a technician.

"Being able to adjust and use different abilities is fundamental. It's important to constantly learn new skills," he said.

Nelly Arzola, engine test cell operator - Columbus, Georgia

Nelly Arzola, a graduate of Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma, joined Pratt & Whitney in 2010. She started on V2500 engines and today, as a test cell operator at the Columbus Engine Center, she maintains a variety of engines within the GTF engine family.

Unlike Hilary and Christopher's work as mobile repair technician, Nelly's days have a bit more structure - she installs test equipment, performs tests, troubleshoots and corrects discrepancies.

"Every engine requires a different test and has its own quirks. Problem-solving is my favorite part of the job," she said.

A career highlight for Nelly is her early involvement with the GTF engine, which entered service in 2016. Nelly was among the first employees who were trained on GTF maintenance.

"This was a milestone for me. After attending an aviation conference hosted by Women in Aviation I nternational, the organization AWAM (Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance) provided me with a scholarship to the Customer Training Center in 2014. I was able to be a part of a major transition for the company and be among the first group to take a class and learn about the GTF engine."

Her love for aviation fuels her passion for continuous learning. Through the Raytheon Technologies Employee Scholar Program, a global educational funding program that provides employees with the opportunity to enhance their careers, Nelly earned her associate degree from Chattahoochee Valley Community College in 2017.

"The education benefits at Pratt & Whitney are huge," she said. "I don't know a lot of companies that offer programs like the Employee Scholar Program."

She also learned to fly, even taking lessons from trailblazing aviator Wally Funk, one of the "Mercury 13" women who participated in a privately funded astronaut testing in the 1960s.

"I met Wally Funk at a Women in Aviation International Conference and then ran into her at the airport afterward. Nelly was inspired by their shared passion for aviation. "We talked about the idea that I want to learn to fly - and she offered to teach me."

That was one of many opportunities Nelly attributes to her participation in groups like Women in Aviation, along with several Pratt & Whitney employee resource groups (ERGs), such as the Women's Council.

"I would encourage everyone to participate in ERGs. They help connect you to others across the company that you may never meet through daily work."

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