How to Start a Career in Aircraft Maintenance

How do you start a career working on helicopters—especially if you did not grow up fixing engines, cars, or machinery? In this episode of The Lost Art of the Skilled Trades, Andrew Brown sits down with Miyah Spade, an aircraft maintenance apprentice with Canadian Helicopters, to explore how she discovered aviation maintenance, found her first opportunities, and began building a career working on airplanes and helicopter components. Miyah’s path started with hands-on high school classes in auto shop, woodworking, welding, and fabrication. After beginning her aviation training and gaining experience on small aircraft such as Cessnas and Pipers, she reached out directly to companies, built relationships with industry professionals, and earned an opportunity with Canadian Helicopters. She also explains the pressure aircraft mechanics face, aviation’s “Dirty Dozen,” the importance of mentorship, and why sending a résumé is often not enough to stand out in this industry. In This Episode: ✈️ How to begin exploring aircraft and helicopter maintenance careers ✈️ Why you do not need to grow up mechanically inclined ✈️ How high school trade programs helped Miyah find her path ✈️ How she gained experience working on small aircraft ✈️ Why she chose helicopters over commercial airliners ✈️ How networking helped her find opportunities ✈️ Why mentorship is essential for new technicians ✈️ How to stand out when employers receive hundreds of résumés ✈️ Aviation’s “Dirty Dozen” and the human factors affecting aircraft safety ✈️ What it is really like to work on aircraft under pressure Timestamps 00:00 The Pressure Behind Aircraft Safety 01:07 Competing in Aircraft Maintenance 02:40 Aviation’s “Dirty Dozen” 03:31 The Mechanics Behind Every Safe Flight 03:48 Why Miyah Chose Aircraft Maintenance 05:31 Why Students Don’t Know This Career Exists 07:09 Starting With Small Aircraft 08:01 Why She Chose Helicopters 10:00 Flying After Learning How Aircraft Work 11:00 You Don’t Need to Grow Up Mechanical 12:13 Competing Against Aviation Professionals 13:30 Investigating a Damaged Rotor Head 14:38 The Mentors Who Helped Her Succeed 15:32 The Helicopters She Wants to Work On 17:00 How to Start in Aircraft Maintenance 18:12 Why Parents Struggle to Find Information 19:37 What She Wishes She Knew Earlier 20:16 How to Stand Out Beyond a Résumé 21:46 Is Aircraft Maintenance Worth It? 22:21 Final Thoughts ABOUT MIYAH SPADE Miyah Spade is an aircraft maintenance apprentice with Canadian Helicopters. Her journey into aviation began through hands-on high school programs, including auto shop, woodworking, welding, and fabrication. After beginning her training on small aircraft such as Cessnas and Pipers, Miyah pursued an opportunity with Canadian Helicopters, where she gained exposure to maintenance operations, overhaul work, technical records, aircraft manuals, inspections, and helicopter components. Her story shows that you do not need to grow up working on engines to pursue aircraft maintenance. With hands-on exposure, strong mentors, persistence, and a willingness to connect directly with people in the industry, young people can build careers in this overlooked area of aviation. Learn More About Canadian Helicopters https://www.canadianhelicopters.com/ Connect With Miyah Spade LinkedIn →   / miyahspade   🎙️ Follow Andrew Brown TikTok →   / andrewbrowntrades   Instagram →   / andrewbrowntrades   LinkedIn →   / andrew-brown-b1736a5   Website → https://www.andrewbrownspeaker.com 🚀 Work With Andrew Brown Keynotes • Live Event Podcasting • Gen Z Recruitment Campaigns → https://www.andrewbrownspeaker.com