2022 AMT 40 Under 40 Maintenance Professionals: Andrew Kutcher, Back-Up Chief Inspector, StandardAero Ltd., Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Andrew Kutcher joined StandardAero’s Winnipeg team in 2009 as a technician within the facility’s CF34 Destack Team. The company helped put Kutcher through college for the Gas Turbine Repair and Overhaul (GTRO) program at Red River College’s Stevenson campus in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Since then, Kutcher has been rising through the ranks. In 2012, he was appointed as a detail inspector/technician within StandardAero’s CF34/CFM56 Inspection Team, a role which required him to obtain inspection certification on full engine inspection for both engine types, including piece parts.
Over the years, Kutcher has worked in various areas. In 2017, he was appointed as backup production manager within StandardAero’s CF34/CFM56 Inspection Cell, a role in which he supported the production manager in day-to-day operations, including directing the production planning and scheduling process according to production requirements.
Since 2022, Kutcher has been serving in the role of backup chief inspector for the CF34/CFM56 Business Unit, while undergoing mentorship program training with the goal of becoming a chief inspector. In March 2022, Kutcher obtained full engine product quality inspector endorsement for the CF34 and CFM56 engine lines. He is currently mentoring with other chief inspectors, including the central chief inspector.
“In my position right now, I oversee 70-plus inspectors, while still supporting the other side of the team, like your dismantlers, your builders, and even the other support teams,” Kutcher explained.
One of his favorite aspects of the job is helping and training his colleagues.
“During my time at StandardAero, I've gotten to know the product, the manuals, the requirements, the regulations. I feel like my experience bouncing around the shop and doing all the various jobs that I've done – it's like being a wealth of knowledge that a lot of newer people or even experienced people can come talk to me for advice,” he said. “If I don't know the answer, I like being able to dig into it and really help them out, find where they need to go and give them a proper direction. Whether it's just me giving them the answer or leading them to it. It’s really great helping people.”
Having worked in other fields, including automotive, Kutcher says he finds his work in aviation most rewarding.
"When it comes to aviation, you got to think, ‘this is flight, this is people's lives. This is way more stakes,’ So the pressure's a lot more, but it's way more rewarding – the challenges are fun and it's enjoyable,” he said.
