Matthew Roberts was destined to work in the aviation industry.
“My father ran tech ops and later all operations for Northwest Airlines during my childhood,” said Roberts. “As a child, I can remember walking through the hangar with my dad in awe of the aircraft. It’s in my blood. I’ve been lucky to have my father as a mentor during my time leading up to and during my career in aviation. It’s been a great asset to have someone like him, who is extremely knowledgeable on the subject and will never lead me in the wrong direction.”
Roberts started his career as an aircraft mechanic working for SkyWest Airlines in the Palm Springs, California hangar base. During his time at SkyWest, he was a mechanic and later aircraft maintenance supervisor of "the graveyard shift."
About two and a half years ago, he moved to Southwest Airlines, working at the line maintenance base at LAX. As a RON Check AMT, he’s now working on overnight aircraft and thru flights. “I currently perform overnight checks on the flight line consisting of up to 30 day checks, along with troubleshooting and clearing all inbound write-ups and items on MEL. Before aircraft terminate, I work thru flights and gate calls on originating aircraft. I also occasionally work shifts during the day in a true line maintenance environment, troubleshooting inbound discrepancies,” he said.
For 2019-20, he was awarded the Southwest Airlines Top Wrench award for the LAX Line Maintenance Base. This award is based on work performance and overall attitude.
Roberts attended Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology in Inglewood, California, (for his A&P).
At SkyWest Airlines, he received Gen Fam training on the CRJ 200, CRJ 700/900, and the Embraer 175 and completed training in EWIS , APU Line Maintenance, Principles of Troubleshooting, and received a certification for Liquid Penetrant Inspection I from NDI Consultants Inc. He was also qualified in CAT II Appendix B, and an Engine Run/Taxi Instructor for all fleet types. To date at Southwest Airlines, he has received systems / Gen Fam training for the Boeing 737 700/800 NG and the 737 MAX. He is 737 NG/MAX ETOPS-authorized, 737 NG/MAX CAT III HGS-qualified, and 737 NG/MAX engine run/taxi-qualified.
His short-term career goal is to further his knowledge and experience in his current setting. He appreciates learning from the experienced mechanics he has the pleasure of working with. His long-term career goal is to move into management within the Southwest Airlines Tech Ops Department.
He is thankful for SkyWest and Southwest and those who have helped him and said he tries to give back by promoting the craft to others who may not have considered it as a career choice.
