Last year I decided to finally make a choice in adding to the diversity of my career options. I’m studying to be an aircraft mechanic. It has been a crazy journey trying to decide what path to take. I really wanted to do animation too, so the battle in my head was going on for 8 months trying to decide what to do. Finally “the bing sound popped”, the light buzzed in my head and after loads of prayer and gut feeling, I wanted to be an aircraft mechanic which will eventually lead into me becoming a pilot. Despite knowing nothing about it, I am willing to learn the jacks of the trade. My dream is to fly, over the rainbow so high (you know how the song goes). Since I was a Kid, I knew I wanted to fly. I played with Jet toys (if that’s not a sign, i don’t know how more clear God could have been in showing me what I was born to do and don’t tell me, it was to play with Jets). I was born to fly. Fly away from the traffic, noise and congestion in the city. When your up there it’s like a hole different world of low pressure, sometimes high humidity anyway what I meant to say is its peaceful up there. No nagging noise over you apart from the ATC when you want to descent.
The aviation industry ain’t exactly kind on the women. To be honest sometimes I feel like some men are threatened by women. This doesn’t apply to all men, I admire the men who are beside their women and their careers. I salute you because you’re making the world a better place for women to have the same opportunities and chances in life. Putting the “E” in equality. I’m not feminist but I’m just saying.
First two months of class we’re tough because I had no mechanic experience (I didn’t know what a ratcheting wrench was?). Having my blonde moments in class, but being in a school that’s patience enough to teach knowing that you know nothing is quite a relief. There are those days I’m confused on my direction, then a blinking light in my head comes on, “I’ve wanted to do this for the longest, singing the same song over and over to myself and those around me”. Coming to the states has been a new experience. My mum, friends and family back home plus my dad being an 8 hour drive away from me still makes me feel alone even though I’m around people and in class 8 hours a day from 7.00 am to 3.30 pm. I’ve decided to be writing my weekly accounts of what’s been going on in my life, to keep sane. (I’m not going crazy FYI). Being an aircraft mechanic has its pros and cons. For me the pros outweigh the cons.
It’s amazing what how aviation has grown and what it’s going to become. Who knows, maybe I’ll design the “jetsons” era. There is nothing stopping our mind from seeing far ahead from now. When I think of 2050, I think we’ll have flying cars. Yes… flying cars, I said it. I keep dreaming about it all the time. The james bond movies showed that car that can float on water and drive on land so we make a turbo-charged engine. Well these are a few of the highlights of my past few months. Everyday there something new I learn about the airframe aspect of the plane and I’ll be learning on the Power plant bit soon. You would not believe the amount of wiring that goes into a plane… OMG, let me not start. The part I’m getting to love is the sheet metal part, where you get to fabricate repairs, rivet. It makes me feel powerful, handling the drills, rivet guns. Power to me. I’m much more confident at my skills in riveting than when I started. Not making smily faces on my rivets. lol.
Have an awesome week guys.