Daniel Curry’s father was in the Aviation Industry, and as he was growing up, they were always at or around airports in some capacity. “I was infatuated with the idea of flight and enjoyed just being at the airport watching aircraft takeoff and land,” he noted.
Curry’s high school had a program affiliated with the local airport for airframe and powerplant mechanic training. He attended courses on Saturdays and, when he finished high school, enrolled full time.
Curry noted Dave Bowerman, Phil Struyk and Larry Evans at North Valley Occupational Center-Aviation Center were very helpful and kept his motivation high to be the best aviation maintenance technician he could be.
Curry has held various positions throughout his career including line service agent for Hawker Beechcraft in Van Nuys, CA; lead line service agent at Atlantic Aviation in Santa Monica; aviation maintenance technician at Thornton Aircraft Corporation in Van Nuys, CA and finally, aviation maintenance technician, line maintenance/lead aviation maintenance technician at Delta Air Lines in Los Angeles, CA.
His current position responsibilities include performing and prioritizing overnight maintenance activities, auditing technical work documents and signoffs and forecasting and planning for upcoming station maintenance activities. He is a direct supervisor to a crew of anywhere between 10-12 technicians, seasoned and new to the role of AMT. In addition, he is a local procedural training instructor.
Curry has received most of his training through Delta Air Lines. These classes include Fleet Specific Training / Avionics / Autoland and Engine Run and Taxi Qualifications on the Boeing B747-400 / B757-200/300 / B767-300/400 / B777-200ER/LR, Airbus A330-200/300/-900NEO. In addition, he completed six weeks of avionics training and is certified as an engine run and taxi instructor at his station. He also received Manufacturer training from Airbus for the A350-900/1000 fleets.
“I have volunteered my time to a couple of local aviation museums, as well as made donations towards keeping some of the classic war birds in the air,” he explained. “My wife and I have recently relocated to Camarillo, CA where I hope to volunteer my skills towards maintaining WWII aircraft at the local aviation museum.”
Delta Air Lines has been an outstanding career, Curry notes, and his goal is to advance within the company. He says aviation maintenance has been extremely fulfilling and would like to thank Delta for putting himself and others that he works with in the best position to be as safe and successful as they have been. “Without my coworkers and support from my wife and family, I would not be in the position I am today. Keep Climbing,” he stated.
