From a young age, Jody L. Payne always worked on things with his father. Additionally, Payne’s high school girlfriend’s father was an instructor at the local A&P School. “... after talking with her father about the school and the industry, I thought it would be a great industry for me to work in,” Payne noted.
In December of 2009, he started with Pinnacle Airlines in Knoxville, TN, immediately after finishing school. “During my time with Pinnacle, I managed to work my way up from maintenance tech to avionics tech where I got to expand my knowledge and start molding my skills in Avionics.”
From there, Payne was offered a position with FlightChoice charters in Knoxville, TN in December of 2011. While at FlightChoice Payne says he learned about how general aviation and charters worked. He performed 50 and 100 hour inspections, several wiring mods and all kinds of various maintenance on company and private customer aircraft. It was then that Payne obtained his Inspection Authorization and began doing annual inspections, as well.
In January of 2014, Payne returned to Pinnacle, which had since changed their name to Endeavor. “I began working as a maintenance tech again, but regularly used my avionics skills,” Payne said.
Payne quickly worked his way up to lead maintenance tech and it was around this time that he decided he wanted a position with the Endeavor Air MOTR (Maintenance Operations Tech Rep) Group. He was granted the position as the first ever avionics specific MOTR in March of 2018. This group within Endeavor monitors aircraft for repeat discrepancies and provides instruction on actions to be taken to correct them. They also provide assistance for technicians while working/troubleshooting difficult issues in the field.
Today, along with his role as avionics systems programs engineer, he still works in GA with FlightChoice, now named Xpress Aircraft Maintenance, from time to time to assist with tasks as needed.
Payne notes several mentors who have helped him grow, but two that stand out. “In my personal life is my father for taking me under his wing at a young age. He taught me how things work and how to work on them. In aviation, I met Roy Abrams, a Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award winner, about two to three years into my career. He has been, and continues to be, a huge part of my support system for me to be where I am today,” Payne explained.
Payne’s goal for the future is to keep moving forward. “I never thought I would have made it to engineering by now, nor would I have thought I would be receiving this award. With those two things, I have already exceeded my goals.”
