A Wrench in the Wings: Life Lessons from an Aircraft Mechanic

by Sam Longo AME A&P

Overview

A Wrench in the Wings is a compilation of columns written for Air Maintenance Update magazine. Spending all my adult life either fixing aircraft or teaching others to carry on in that profession has been an enlightening journey. Based on stories that I related to my aircraft maintenance students, the benefits were three-fold. First, it tended to keep their attention with real insight into daily life as an aircraft mechanic. Second, it gave me a chance to show the more human side of myself while hopefully injecting some humor into the classroom. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the stories often ended with lessons learned. These lessons were about the realities and responsibilities of our chosen profession, but also about life in general. Many topics are touched upon, from rapid decompression to rock stars and everything in between. I hope that you find them interesting, whether you are an aviation enthusiast or perhaps someone considering a career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Like most careers, it has its ups and downs. Here is hoping that you enjoy the ride.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940164888657
Publisher:	Tellwell Talent
Publication date:	04/22/2021
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
File size:	331 KB

About the Author

SAM LONGO AME, A&P

Sam Longo has over 40 years' experience in the aircraft maintenance field. He holds a Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineers license (AME M1, M2) as well as an American A&P license (Airframe and Powerplant). During the '70s and '80s he plied his trade, maintaining aircraft for such companies as Nordair, De Havilland Canada and Air Canada before becoming a professor in Centennial College's Aerospace Department.

Centennial College's Aircraft Maintenance Program is one of the longest running aircraft technical training facilities in Canada. During his tenure at the college, in addition to his technical teaching, he spent many years as the Aerospace Hangar and Shop Coordinator. In addition, he holds a certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University, and is a qualified trainer in Aviation Human Factors. He is the past president of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers of Ontario as well as the past national president of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers of Canada (AMEC/TEAC).

After retiring from Centennial College, he continued to write a regular column, "AMU Chronicles," for Air Maintenance Update magazine (AMU) as well as the vintage motorcycle column "Long Ago" for Cycle Canada. His freelance writing has also appeared in The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Wings Magazine, Helicopter Magazine, Skies Magazine as well as every major Canadian motorcycling publication. When not pursuing his writing endeavors, he can be found in his Toronto workshop restoring award-winning vintage motorcycles.