In the next installment of our ‘Meet the Mechanics’ interview series, created to shed light on the hands-on professionals who keep airplanes in top condition, we present Nicolas Pecher from Air France Industries-KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI-KLM E&M), who talks about his journey through AFI-KLM E&M, from apprentice to engine expert, and the sense of teamwork and problem solving that keeps him motivated.
How did you get into aviation maintenance and what inspired your career path?
After studying in the industrial sector, combining electricity and mechanics, I entered as an apprentice at the Air France school in Vilgénis in 2006.
Upon completing this training, Air France Industries (AFI) hired me for the assembly and disassembly of engine cores on various types of engines.
I was immediately attracted to this profession, both for the technical rigor it requires and for the diversity of tasks it offers.
Can you walk us through a typical day or shift in your role?
I joined the On-Wing Services team (AFI’s engine troubleshooting department) in 2016. This position is characterized by the wide variety of tasks: one day may be dedicated to administrative tasks, service development, gaining experience in new products or preparing logistics for an intervention abroad (tools, supplies, customs and administrative procedures, etc.), while another may focus on the technical intervention itself on site.
Each day brings its own variety and challenges, making this job particularly stimulating.
What’s a particularly memorable challenge you’ve faced at work and how did you solve it?
During the COVID-19 period, we had to carry out an intervention in Bhutan, a country that usually has restricted access conditions, especially at that time.
The operation was a real logistical challenge: we had to transport several tons of material by plane and then by truck to the site of the intervention.
Once on site, coordination was also complex, with multiple teams working simultaneously on the aircraft and engine.
The mission was eventually completed with full autonomy during the aircraft’s testing.
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How do you and your team approach safety and reliability in your work?
At AFI and throughout the Air France-KLM group, safety and reliability are absolute priorities, regardless of the business area.
Within On-Wing services, these requirements become even more critical as we often operate in unfamiliar environments.
Before each mission, our coordinators interact with the client to ensure that available industrial resources (ladders, lifting equipment, etc.) meet our operational needs and meet our safety standards.
Once on site, this translates into increased vigilance and uncompromising rigor, with systematic checks at every stage to eliminate any risk of error.
What changes or innovations do you think will shape the future of aircraft maintenance?
I believe that, as in many other industries, artificial intelligence (AI) will make its way into aircraft maintenance. In particular, through the use of sensors capable of predicting engine failures before they occur, thanks to advanced data and image analysis.
Additionally, virtual reality (VR) should allow for more immersive training and facilitate remote fault diagnosis.
What do you enjoy most about work and what keeps you motivated day to day?
What I value most in my job is the variety of tasks to be performed, the close collaboration within the team, the opportunity to periodically discover new work environments, as well as the strong and motivating team spirit that is always present.
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