A Day in the Life of a Maintenance Engineer

Kathleen Jackson, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in Cairns, tells us who and what inspired her to join the industry, while expanding on the challenges and satisfaction she's attained ever since. 

I'm the third 3rd generation in my family to have joined the aviation and aerospace industry! My grandfather worked at Hawker De Havilland and my father worked at Qantas. I’ve always had an interest in aircraft. From a young age I was involved with the Australian Air League, which is a youth organization for both girls and boys that encourages interest in aviation. I joined at the age of 9, starting as a junior cadet, and was promoted through all of the cadet ranks. After becoming an officer, I was promoted to group lieutenant and was the NSW girl group air activities officer until 2017. I was involved for 24 years.

Living 10 minutes from Camden Airport also ignited my interest in aviation maintenance as I used to watch as a DC3 was being restored there. I learned to fly at the age of 17 and commenced my career in maintenance at 18, when I began my apprenticeship.

I look back to the history of women in the aircraft industry, to women like Deborah Lawrie, Nancy Bird Walton and women during WW2 like Rosie the Riveter — and my grandmother, who was a fitter turner working on spitfires and mosquitos during the war. These women have all inspired me and have proved that women can work in the aviation industry. I’ve never let being a woman hold me back from any task and don’t let the fact that I am a woman change how the job gets done. I expect people to treat me like they would any other engineer and not to behave differently because I'm female.

“I’ve never let being a woman hold me back from any task and don’t let the fact that I am a woman change how the job gets done. I expect people to treat me like they would any other engineer and not to behave differently because I’m female.”

I have been with Jet Aviation for a year now. I’m an aircraft maintenance engineer working on airframes and engines with sheet metal. I carry out functional tests of aircraft systems at the start of each maintenance check as well as after the check is complete. I also support the team with removal of parts, inspection of parts, inspection of internal and external aircraft surfaces as well as installation of new and repair parts, blending or sheet metal parts.

I like my role because it is challenging, involves a vast variety of work and I've also been able to gain a lot of experience working on different aircraft, such as SAABs and Q400s. Jet Aviation is also giving me the opportunity to further my career and aspirations by becoming a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME).

My small size can be challenging but it can also be an advantage. Being female, I have felt that I have been overlooked for jobs at times. However, many of the challenges I have faced in the past due to being a woman in the industry are not an issue at Jet Aviation, and I appreciate the diversity, equality, and inclusion efforts here.