Aircraft Mechanic

Aircraft Mechanic

Fred Robel

27 Years Experience

Au Gres, MI

Male, 49

I'm a licensed Aircraft Mechanic & Inspector with twenty five-plus years in the field. I've had a varied career so far, with time spent in the sheetmetal, mechanic, and inspection specialties. Most of my time is on heavy Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft, of the passenger, cargo, and experimental type. This career isn't for everyone, but I enjoy it.

Please do NOT ask me to troubleshoot problems with your airplane, that is not what this Q&A is for.

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155 Questions

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Last Answer on July 09, 2022

Best Rated

What precautions are being taken on airplanes for the COVID-19?

Asked by Merl Haggard Fan over 4 years ago

Same sort of things that are being done for restaurants and other public spaces.

Lots of cleaning. Health checks for everyone coming in. And extra space for people (when possible)

Oh also are you ever going to answer or delete that question at the very bottom?

Asked by adf over 4 years ago

That was part of a 6 part question that someone asked about plugged up pitot static tubes. I put my answer to them on the 6th part of the question. I deleted parts 1 through 4 already, and must have missed the part 5.

Thank you for your concern. I will delete it now.

If I eat the whole flight will I never need my mask? Since you know COVID doesn't spread only when you're siting doing nothing

Asked by Lower 48 about 4 years ago

If you are having a hard time grasping germ theory, probability, or the possible benefits of minimizing exposure vis-a-vis the tradeoff between prudent measures and what customers will tolerate; I suggest you inquire with the appropriate professional. 

Because I'm not here for your BS.

WASH YOUR HANDS, WEAR A MASK.

Why did they stop flying the Concord?

Asked by Bill over 4 years ago

I love that you asked a question. But questions like that, I would just have to google, and read articles to try and find you an answer.

So let’s skip the middle man, and have you do that.

Cheers

What happened to prop jets and planes? Also, why are large and small passenger aircraft being done away with for more medium sized planes?

Asked by Daniel over 4 years ago

I'm not sure what you mean by "What happened to prop jets and planes"? From where I sit, they are where they've always been: a more economical choice for short and medium length flights than a turbine aircraft. I certainly don't see any less of them around here.

As for the "why are large and small passenger aircraft being done away with for more medium sized planes?"

This is really outside of my wheelhouse, as well as the intention of this Q&A.  I'm not an aviation industry trends expert.

I'll give you the answer I give everyone else when they ask such a question of me:  Money, economics, and customer trends. 

Why does any type of aircraft go "out of fashion"?  It always, always, has to do with money.

If you can't fill your large aircraft up all the way with passengers, then your profit margins are down.  Compound that with not being able to operate them in and out of all the airports in the world due to their size; and there's another reason.  Do four engines burn more fuel than two?  There's another reason.

As far as small passenger aircraft going away for medium size ones..... not as far as I can see.  If it makes economic sense to fly a small passenger plane on a given route, and it makes money for the company, they'll still be using that plane.

Why does Buffalo Air still use DC-3 aircraft for passengers and cargo up in Northern Canada?  Since that would be crazy, right?  Old, radial engined aircraft.

They do it because it makes economic sense for them to do so.  It's all a money game.

How often do people try to sneak a smoke on a plane? Do flight crew ever try and do this? What about Air Marshals like that movie where he duct tapes the alarm and smokes in the bathrooms.

Asked by Mike over 4 years ago

I don’t really know about what they do on passenger flights. I know on the cargo flights, we used to step back into the cargo bay for a smoke. But that was a long time ago.

Got any actual career related questions for me? Anyone?

Good evening, what do you think about mandatory masks on aircraft?!

Asked by Martha over 4 years ago

Mandatory masks on passenger planes are a GOOD thing.

Even when there is no scary pandemic, passenger planes are a good place to get sick.

So yeah. Wear a mask, people. Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face.