Age: 37
Years in Aviation: 16
Stephen Alan Hartley works at Robins Air Force Base as a DOD civilian working as an electronic integrated systems mechanic (560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron).
“One of my earliest childhood memories was watching the Blue Angels fly in an airshow in Jacksonville, FL, at the now-closed down Cecil Field,” Hartley says. “To this day I still get excited watching airshows or just walking out on the flight line watching the aircraft that I maintain flying in the local pattern, doing touch and go's. When I decided to join the military I chose a job that I felt would combine my love of aircraft with a desire to do electronics work.”
His initial electronics training was completed through the U.S. Army at Ft. Huachuca, AZ. Aircraft specific training was mostly accomplished through on-the-job training at Robins AFB.
Hartley sites two mentors: David (Randy) Odell was an integrated electronic systems mechanic before joining leadership in Hartley’s squadron. “He has always been known as one of the most knowledgeable technicians on the systems that we work and has always been willing to share his knowledge and experience. David (Opie) Hurst is my flight chief and is always going the extra mile to ensure we, as his subordinates, have what we need to accomplish our mission.”
“I am the type of person that is more self-critical and looks for ways to improve, which may be my best contribution to the industry,” Hartley says. “I always try to hold myself to a higher standard and not just settle in to a "good enough" mentality. I try to pass on the knowledge that I have acquired to the less experienced technicians and build on my own experience to ensure we are always trying to improve in our knowledge, practices, and procedures.”
Hartley hopes to transition into a leadership position soon and continue to build on the experience and professionalism of his shop. “I have held other positions but aviation maintenance is where I have always felt most comfortable, most at home.” he says.
