Jessica Sadelski is a seasoned A&P mechanic who now serves as Director of Maintenance at Wings Air Helicopters.
Sadelski credits her parents with inspiring her to pursue a career in maintenance.
She explains, “My father was a contractor who built from the ground up using all types of tools and equipment. While my mother, equally resourceful, had the ability to make everything work, no matter the challenge. As far as I can remember I wanted to help my parents do everything and master it, there was no task too difficult to take on. Those experiences not only shaped who I am but also sparked the passion I have for my career today.”
Since starting her career as an A&P in 2012, Sadelski has worked exclusively on helicopters, earning specialized knowledge and skills.
Sadelski says, “I am most proud of my specialized work on Rolls Royce turbine engines, particularly the M250 series. Working closely alongside industry experts, I developed a strong technical foundation and earned certification to perform critical inspections on these engines.”
She continues, “My performance in engine teardown and rebuilding led me to advanced training courses, where I became certified to carry out and sign off on specialized inspections. This milestone marked a significant step in my professional development and reinforced my passion for precision and excellence in turbine engine maintenance.”
Sadelski shares her aspirations for the aviation industry, highlighting the need for increased awareness and recognition for aircraft maintenance technicians.
She says, “Increased visibility could inspire more young people to pursue careers in this area. There is a wide variety of specialized work that A&Ps can perform, yet these opportunities are not always easy to discover without industry exposure. Promoting this career path can help bridge the skills gap and strengthen the future of aviation maintenance.”
Jessica offers the following advice to aspiring technicians, saying, “Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom. That’s where you earn valuable experience. There are very important skills you pick up doing the grunt work, skills you might not learn anywhere else, skills that will help you tackle bigger challenges down the road.”
