Nick Vartanian, 2019 AMT Next Gen Award Winner

Aug. 22, 2019

Nick Vartanian took to the sky as a kid, setting in motion his career to follow.

“I was always around aviation as a kid, my dad took me on my first helicopter ride when I was eight years old and I have been hooked ever since. I like the challenge of working with my hands, and all aspects of the aviation industry,” remembers Vartanian.

For three years, the 22-year-old Vartanian has worked as a helicopter mechanic at Helitender Inc. – a helicopter maintenance facility specializing in Eurocopter AS350/355, EC120/130/135/145, Bell 206/412 and MD 500 series helicopters. Vartanian says he also does the paperwork and return to service for all the work performed by Helitender.

Vartanian received his training at the North Valley Occupational Center and has completed Bell Helicopter Maintenance training, Pratt and Whitney Engine training and also holds a private pilot certificate.

“Nick started A&P school right after high school, he completed and received both his ratings, he attended night school and received his airplane private pilot, he is in process of obtaining his IA certificate, he works as a mechanic in FAA 145 repair station in Los Angeles, he is very involved in safety in all aspects of the job, he is a very dedicated, bright and detail oriented person who will be a great asset to the aviation maintenance industry when all us old guys start retiring,” wrote Armen Vartanian, president of Helitender Inc., when nominating Vartanian.

For the future, Vartanian is keeping his career goals straightforward and down to Earth.

“My goal is to continue operations of the company and I will maintain helicopters for the next 30 years in the Los Angeles area,” Vartanian said.