Working at Airtask: Conrad’s Story

Meet Conrad, a Station Engineer at Airtask and crucial member of our team. With a passion for aviation and a keen eye for innovation, Conrad's story sheds light on the unique aspects, including our focus on employee development and support, that set Airtask apart.

Conrad offers a firsthand perspective on what makes Airtask a great place to work. Join us as we delve into Conrad's journey and uncover how Airtask has played a significant role in his professional and personal development.

What interested you in joining Airtask?

“I came to join Airtask as they had varied scope of interesting operational capability, and operated interesting types of aircraft. I was working as a contractor for a company that previously maintained aircraft for Airtask, so I had knowledge of them as an owner / operator and was impressed with how they conducted their business. I approached Airtask for work and joined the company in February 2016.”

What sets Airtask apart?

“For me, Airtask stood out immediately as a conscientious employer. From the get go, the training and development package they offered was excellent (genuinely the best I have seen in the industry!). They are an incredibly supportive employer, also a very adaptive one, keen to receive input from all areas. The work ethics at Airtask are due to leadership style, rather than imposed by industry, and as such the company is committed to operating in the best and safest way possible, but are also mindful of everyone’s wellbeing.

I have learnt many things since being with Airtask. On the practical side, we do line maintenance at the Shetland base so it is incredibly varied, and you are not stuck doing one task that you are good at. You have a real opportunity to hone skills, learn new ones, and take on projects and see them through. Also with the team atmosphere in Shetland and the excellent working relationships, I often go up in the aircraft with the pilot to verify something, likewise if a pilot needs something looking at it can be either on the ground or in the air.”

How has Airtask impacted your development?

“Airtask has certainly helped me develop, both professionally and personally. There is a good mix of practical work on the aircraft, organisational input with regards to the engineering aspects of the company as a whole, and resource allocation/management, which has been an interesting learning curve for me.

With regards to education, Airtask has enabled me to go on formal training courses at Perth College UHI, and there have been numerous other internal and online courses as well.”  

What does your day-to-day look like at Airtask?

“I like the variety of the job, also planning my work schedule, and prioritising various tasks due to demand. I frequently get the opportunity to work at other bases within the company, which is good for currency of experience, and helps maintain other company assets. Some of my side projects have also been interesting. I’ve rebuilt aircraft jacking equipment and I currently have an aircraft tug to restore, which will go back to our Oban base.

Daily, I have the operating schedules to consider, so the aircraft need to be ready for that. I might be buying spares, batching in items, fixing something, planning maintenance for the fleet, sending spares away for repair, or loading freight, postage and essential goods on the aircraft. For example, at Christmas we put trees in the aircraft and fly them to the outer islands.”

Have you encountered any surprises in your role?

“Since my time with Airtask, I’ve been involved with many interesting things that fall outside the remit of the usual line maintenance category. We have been involved with the TV programme ‘Shetland’ and had our aircraft filmed in flight, and scenes filmed in the Hangar and airport building. The ‘Island Medics’ TV programme have also filmed here.

We have changed an engine on the island of Fair Isle and I’ve installed a weather station on the island of Foula, so we can remotely get meteorology data before flying there.

We have hosted many work experience students, and I have also been involved in a cultural project, organised by a student for her Master’s Degree, called Swapping and Squawking, which connected two small airport communities - Tingwall Airport in Shetland and Wilderness Seaplanes at Port Hardy Airport in British Columbia. Interviews, photos and sound recordings were created for the project.”

What would you say to someone considering a career in aviation generally?

“With regards to the aviation sector in general, I have worked at many places in various countries. Base or line maintenance can be interesting and varied, however it is possible that you may get stuck in a bay fitting something because you are good at it, or on a production line because you are quick at riveting skins on a wing. This could limit your experience, or could be fine if you want to specialise in a particular area.

Airlines will give you good general maintenance experience, for all parts inside and outside the aircraft. Manufacturers will give you experience in a particular aspect e.g. engines, structure, avionics, in far more depth than you would get at an airline, the caveat being that a manufacturer often only makes one product or variations of the same.  Likewise this can be split further, very large global organisations tend to be well resourced, and small to medium regional places tend to do a lot more of things, rather than outsource so you’ll get good experience at either, but in different ways.”

What would you say to someone considering a career with Airtask?

“Airtask is a vibrant and leader led company, with good working practices and attitudes at all levels. In reality, this translates as a healthy working environment, well-resourced and with plenty of scope to develop. The company is genuinely fluid, if you want to implement something, and can show it’s a good idea, management will support you with it.

For me if you can find an employer like Airtask, they are worth investing your time and skills in, as they are utilised fully, appreciated and the investment is reciprocal.”

Explore Airtask Career Opportunities

Inspired by Conrad's journey and keen on advancing your career in aviation? Consider joining the Airtask team, where we strive for excellence. Explore current career opportunities on our Careers Page.

We also encourage speculative applications, so if you would like to work at Airtask please send your CV to cfd.hq@airtask.com.