Travis Carson has been an aircraft technician for the University of Oklahoma School of Aviation for 11 years. He and five other technicians maintain a fleet of 27 training single engine and twin aircraft that fly over 14,000 flight hours per year.
Carson took the initiative to help the school’s National Intercollegiate Flight Team (NIFA) the "Flying Sooners" practice multiple preflight competition inspections to hone their preflight prowess towards excellence.
He also attends the school’s monthly safety committee meeting, as part of the school’s aviation safety committee, ensuring a smooth flow of information from operations to maintenance and vice versa. The day-to-day importance of keeping the fleet mission ready is job one. However, he said dedication to safety in the work areas and on the flight-ready ramp are key to the aviation program’s exemplary safety record and success and also the efficiency of training line operations.
During the summer, Carson volunteers time to instruct Sooner Flight Academy summer camp students about aviation maintenance. Over 300 students in grades 3 to 12 per summer attend camps and get briefed on the critical role of aircraft technicians in the aviation system.
He said, “I emphasize that if you like problem solving/troubleshooting and being around aviation/aircraft, that this will be a good career path for you.”
