“Figuring out how things work and how to fix them has always intrigued me,” said Cory Rodriguez, aviation maintenance supervisor for Wilks Brothers LLC in Cisco, Texas. Working with his hands has always been a strong suit of Rodriguez, and fortunate to have an A&P school nearby, the thought of working on jets and helicopters caught his attention.
He attended TSTC in Abilene, Texas and received his A&P certificate in 2010. His first job was for Envoy, working on Embraer aircraft, he then worked for a local general aviation facility for about four years and at age of 28 received his IA.
Today at Wilks Brothers, Rodriguez is the maintenance supervisor for a fleet of corporate aircraft that includes a Global XRS, two Cessna Citation X, Bell 429, Beechcraft Bonanza G36, Cirrus SR22 GTS and a Cessna 172 Skyhawk.
He is in charge of performing all maintenance done in-house, setting up large inspections with different facilities across the U.S., performing annuals on the piston planes, tracking upcoming due items and making sure the aircraft are not out for maintenance when they are needed.
Gregory Simmons Memorial Airport is a privately owned airport open to the public. The runway is 100 feet by 6,000 feet and includes an FBO and two hangars. Rodriguez helps maintain the airport. He also tows and fuels aircraft and gets them ready for departures at any time of day. “I am there to help them any way needed,” he said, adding the airport has handled everything from a Cessna 150 to a C130. He also maintains airport equipment like lawnmowers, weed eaters, John Deere tractor and the 1,500-gallon jet fuel truck. He’s been with the company for four years. Today, he is a one-man maintenance crew that remains focused on maintaining a safe work environment. “We have yet to have a missed flight due to maintenance issues or safety incursion,” he said.
In addition to his associates degree, he has taken courses relating to Bell 429 and Global XRS maintenance, Citation X advanced diagnostics and many FAA online courses. “Upon completing A&P school,” he said, “I did not know anyone in the aviation field, I have been very determined and very blessed to be where I am today.”
A mentor to younger or soon-to-be mechanics, Rodriguez shows them there is more than line maintenance for those who are interested. “There are so many opportunities for mechanics to get out there, you just have to look for them and not be scared to put yourself out there or maybe out of your comfort zone,” he said.
Recently, Rodriguez obtained a private pilot license flying his Cessna 150, working on his instrument rating with the goal of becoming a corporate pilot/mechanic.
