Benjamin Dunbar, 32, is Fleet Support Coordinator for GoJet Airlines in Overland, MO. He is responsible for using the corrective action processes for pending, chronic, or grounding aircraft discrepancies. He develops strategies for irregular maintenance operations recovery and works with the director of maintenance to develop and refine maintenance department policies and procedures to enhance safety and efficiency.
During high school he followed the path of some of his friends and attended Michigan Institute of Aeronautics (MIOA). Because of this program he decided to attend Cornerstone University and its missionary bush pilot/mechanics program. He returned to MIOA and graduated in the spring of 2005.
Dunbar has had several mentors in his career. "I did not begin work in this field with a mechanical background and in fact could not tell you how to more than change a car’s oil or a tire. Most of what I know now was learned on the floor with a lot of help from fellow mechanic Chris Gage. He seemed to know everything and was happy to jump in and finish a job I could not. Most everyone knows how frustrating this can be. This aggravated and pushed me into wanting to try harder and learn everything to avoid these embarrassments, and really gave me the drive that I continue to have today."
Dunbar began his aviation career as an A&P mechanic with Trans States Airlines working on J41, Embraer 145, and CRJ 700/900 aircraft, soon after he graduated from Michigan Institute of Aeronautics. During that time he assisted in opening maintenance line stations over several months at Chicago O’Hare and Dulles airports; and flew on several NCAA charters as the dual acting ground security coordinator and mechanic. In 2010 he was promoted to QA shift inspector and in 2011 he moved back to the hangar floor as lead mechanic. In 2013 he was hired on at Trans State’s sister company, GoJet Airlines, as a maintenance controller. In 2015, GoJet promoted him to his current position.
He has earned three Bronze, two Gold, and one Ruby FAA maintenance technician award pins. Advanced training courses include: CRJ 700/900 Familiarization, EMB 145 Familiarization, Manager and Supervisor Leadership, and Rockwell Collins ProLine 4 CRJ 700/900 Diagnostics Training.
He was nominated by Amy Kienast, director of career services at MIAT College of Technology. Kienast says, "No matter where you run into Ben Dunbar, he will have a smile on his face and a great attitude. Part of his role is to travel as required to support the maintenance operations of the business and coordinate with all required work groups or individuals to ensure that all maintenance is performed accurately and with a high degree of safety."
“Every day I come to work with an open mind, knowing I’m going to learn something, possibly teach someone, and continually help progress our company’s goals,” states Dunbar.
As far as giving back to the industry, he says, "The role that I’m in allows me the freedom and time to personally assist others with any work-related problem they have, no matter how big or small. I really enjoy helping employees who are new to the field, and hope to have the same impact on their careers as many mentors have had on me. As a personal project, I took a big interest in the history of the hangar I worked in during my time with Trans States Airlines. In 2014 I spent the better part of a year (during my off time) in museums, libraries, a research center, and online for information and photographs of this hangar that was built by McDonnell Douglas in the early 1950s. At the end of my search I put together a website with all the information I gathered and then created several posters from the photos and donated them to the management team that runs the facility."
As for the future, Dunbar says, "I’m not sure where I will be in five or 10 years. My first child is due to be born in January and I’m looking forward to raising him here in St. Louis. I truly enjoy the people I work with and the leadership team I work for, here at GoJet Airlines. Wherever I land in the future, I hope to be in a role that gives me the opportunity to learn something new and teach others every day."
