By: Steven Wright

For most of us, boarding an aircraft is something we do almost without thought. There are some who harbor thoughts of apprehension, but for the most part, airplanes are boarded by individuals who are free even of the thought of how the massive craft can maneuver in the sky. Some individuals, however, have spent their lives educating themselves on every aspect of these massive, remarkable vehicles. These individuals are often overlooked in the process of air travel but are nonetheless crucial in getting you to your destination safely.

Airline mechanic and Venezuelan-born Jaime Bello is one such individual. His years of experience and dedication to continued learning make him perfect for his role in the many checks and procedures required prior to takeoff and after landing. However, Bello points out, “It is a team effort. We all play our roles, and when we do our best job, it not only means the plane is safely maintained, but also you are able to leave on time to explore the world.”

The job of an airplane mechanic is fluid. It involves detailed knowledge of equipment that services multiple different aircraft. As there are many styles of jets, from small to large, Bello has continued his education, always striving to understand the importance of each piece of hardware he encounters.

“There are protocols that I follow,” begins the native Venezuelan. It is my responsibility to follow the maintenance program approved by the manufacturer, the airline, and the aeronautical authority of the country where the plane is registered.” Bello points out that many steps are put in place to help avoid human error.

The most crucial measure put in place is the many logbooks for an aircraft. As the plane lands, the ground crew splits into the exterior and interior teams. From there, they carry out meticulous cleanings, restocking, and maintenance routines, which include checking the books for any documented mechanical errors. Once these issues are seen, they are noted in the logbook, which acts as a mechanical history for the vehicle to help future maintenance crews.

Bello notes that many areas are examined, “from checking for dents on the exterior to the oil levels and most importantly the emergency features like detachable slides, fire extinguishers, and oxygen tanks.” The task is no simple undertaking and requires a highly trained and motivated team, such as Bello himself.

The seasoned mechanic notes, “at the beginning, it is a very complicated job, but perseverance and sticking to the maintenance manual have allowed me to do my job very well.” The whole process starts before the passengers disembark from the plane, with a crew readying for the deplaning process while others prepare to clean and restock.

“The jobs are wide ranging from external walk-throughs to check the fuselage and exterior of the aircraft, to those in charge of mechanical checks such as brake pads and oil levels,” says Bello, noting variety within his job.  Each group and individual is essential, and their notes along the way are crucial to keeping the plane in the air and offering the best passenger experience.

One of the most crucial aspects of the job is ensuring the weight restrictions of the plane are strictly adhered to. This means, in Bello’s words, “checking the amount of fuel needed for the next journey,” this is important as fuel is not light and needs to be weighed up alongside “baggage and passengers to keep the plane balanced and performing at its highest level.” These levels are rigorously checked and rechecked each time a plane makes a journey and dictates its safe passage.

With all of this to consider, one might imagine that the job of an airplane mechanic would be stressful. This is not the case for the seasoned Bello, who attributes his comfort at work to an undying dedication to the process. “As a professional, I seek to do my job well by achieving my and the crew’s objectives. When we do a job well, I have a satisfaction that makes me happy to do my job.”

Bello believes that at the core, his job is to “make a positive impact on people by making sure their plane leaves on time and ensuring they have a safe flight,” this, he says, “opens the door for people to travel the world and enjoy their experiences.” The hard-working Venezuelan-born mechanic strives to do the unnoticed work, checking systems and filling out maintenance logs so that he can pass along the joy of travel to those who want to partake.

People like Jaime Bello often don’t get the credit they deserve. As an airline mechanic, Bello is integral in ensuring the safety of thousands of travelers a year. His dedication to improving those on the job about him is commendable.

Planes are complex vehicles that require patience and persistence to check thoroughly. Jaime Bello displays this in abundance as he works hand in hand with others to keep airlines moving and on time. Next time you are at the airport, look out the window for a moment and be thankful for those like Jaime who work so hard to open the world to you.

Published by: Josh Tatunay