I am a Transport Canada licensed
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, or A.M.E. as we’re known; most of you know that
already. For the past 10 years or so, in
my 35+ years in aviation, I have been a maintenance technical instructor; most
of you know that too. Most of you also
know that, at times, I fly more than I would care to call ‘glamorous’. But every time, before I get on an aircraft
to fly, I always think about the guys that were working on the aircraft last
night while I was sleeping. They’re
probably sleeping now, and sleeping with a clear conscience; their work is
done, and done safely, in a manner of professionalism and meticulous attention
to detail that the general public may not comprehend.
It used to drive my wife crazy
whenever I undertook a home improvement project. Not because I’m one of those husbands that
doesn’t finish what he’s started (although I am guilty of not starting soon
enough), but more the manner in which I would take on the task. I think it is in the AMEs’ DNA to carry out
their work in the same manner that a surgeon would. My wife would get so frustrated when I do
something as simple as putting up a shelf and not be satisfied until that
bubble on the level is exactly smack-bang in the middle of the sight-glass;
even though there is some room for error.
A good AME doesn’t work with error if it can be avoided. Whatever task we do, I can guarantee it is
checked more times than Santa’s list. I
only hope that the surgeon who is going to see me lying comatose in the
operating room, later this month, will carry out his work on me in the same
manner as this AME would ply his trade; with caring, careful hands.
I have had the honour to work with
some crazy folks over my years in aviation maintenance, but there’s not an
aircraft I would refuse to fly in because of them; the AME is a marvel to
behold. Although we work in a strictly
regulated industry, you wouldn’t believe the improvisation and ‘creative
engineering’ that gets employed from time to time; and never will safety be
compromised. I could sit here and type
for hours giving you examples galore, but that is not my purpose today. The AME deals not just in engineering, but
also ‘engine-uity’!
This isn’t exactly a ‘trade-secret’,
but you know when you have used tape to mask something off and sometimes, when
you remove the tape, there is always some of that sticky stuff left
behind? Of course, you have to remove
it; but what to use… A lot of folks reach straight for the isopropyl alcohol,
not a bad choice, but a classic rookie mistake.
Others may resort to trying to scrape it off; perhaps using their finger
or thumb nail. But do you know the best
way to get sticky tape residue off of a surface? Sticky tape!
Yup; just make a loop with the sticky surface on the outside, slip your
fingers through it and ‘dab-and-roll’ over the sticky stuff and it just work
its way off. Like I said; it’s not
exactly a ‘trade-secret’. But when
you’re working with a surface like the skin of an aircraft, the last thing you
want to do is scrape it off and damage the paintwork; not because it will look
bad, but because you will leave the metal (usually aluminum) exposed to the
elements and that will mean corrosion and corrosion will compromise the
structural integrity. I hope I’m not
boring you!
As I approach my 55th birthday in
June, I am finally going to succumb to a total knee replacement. On Monday 28 January, a little over a week
from now, I shall be heading to the University of Western Ontario Hospital for
my ninth, and hopefully last, right knee surgery. Just routine for the surgeon, but potentially
life-changing for this writer. It has
been a long time since I have done something as simple as kneel down, or squat,
or even be able to take a little jog around the block. Whenever I do anything physical there is
always a price to pay, guaranteed; and the currency is pain. I have lived with it for so long, now, that I
accept it as an integral part of my life.
But the thought of being able to carry out a mundane task, like tying up
my shoelaces, without factoring in my right knee is rather exciting!
The marvellous thing about orthopedic
surgery is that it is just like doing a structural repair on an aircraft;
literally. They use similar tools such
as hammers, drills, chisels, etc., and even have manuals to follow! I know this because back in 1984, when I had
my ACL ligament reconstructed after a soccer injury, I actually managed to read
up on the 'Jones Procedure’ whilst in the hospital medical library.
I have been told that my surgery is
not a big deal. After all, it isn’t
heart by-pass surgery. Well I beg to
differ. Any surgery that renders you
comatose, and places your future in the hands of others, is a big deal. My emotions run from trepidation to
exhilaration. I find the whole ordeal of
having another operation rather daunting.
It could be, perhaps, because I know what to expect; the process of
painful recovery, the discomfort of physiotherapy, the slowly building up of
lost muscle mass with exercise, etc.
Despite all of that, I am convinced my life will improve greatly with
every passing week.
I just need to get the surgery out of
the way first; with the skills of some caring, careful hands.
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