Aerial applicators and hearing stories from his grandfather about Word War II bomber flights in the Pacific is what planted the seed of what would become a career in the head of Travis Schleusner.
In 2002, Schleusner graduated with his A&P license from Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, South Dakota. From there, he’s traveled the world.
“I started my aviation maintenance career with the regional airlines working on Beechcraft 1900’s and EMB-120’s and really liked the fast pace. I learned so much in those first few years. I went next into contracting and headed overseas to work for our government on King Airs and Citation jets. After years of that, I returned home to a local FBO and ran it as the GM/ A&P, IA for several years. We worked on everything: GA piston, piston twins, AG aircraft, even a small helicopter or two. It was the best business learning experience I had ever had. I became the most confident in my career at that FBO. Once I got tired of the South Dakota weather, I headed to Arizona and accepted the director of maintenance position with Aviation Performance Solutions where I am still today. We use Extra 300L’s and Marchetti S2-11’s to help pilots bring everyone home safely through upset recovery training. It has been the most rewarding of all my aviation work,” Schleusner recounts.
“I got to see and do some amazing things that I normally wouldn’t have with any other career. I stuck with it and got enough experience to advance my career into some of the top positions with some great companies,” he continues.
Though his adventures in the field began off the back of a simple A&P license, Schleusner says since then he has taken every and all advance training courses that he’s been able to get his hands on.
“Continuing education is crucial for AMT’s to continue to do our work safely and also keep up with evolving methods and tooling. Some of the courses I’ve taken are flight control rigging for Beechcraft and Pratt and Whitney engine inspection course. I did a composite repair course with Abaris in Reno, Nevada and highly recommend it if you are working on anything composite,” Schleusner said.
With an education-minded philosophy to his work, it only makes sense that Schleusner would strive to pass on that knowledge and teach the next generation of aircraft mechanics.
“I give back to the aviation community through training our new guys the correct way. It is important to me that entry level A&P’s come into their first job with proper training and mentoring to help get their careers on the right path,” he said. “My career goal is to get into mentoring the younger A&P students. I am currently looking into working with the local community college to get students to work on the aircraft while they are still in school.”
