Shawn Petersen's introduction to aviation was the typical story, “When I was very young I went for a ride in a Cessna 172. I can still remember him going through the checklist prior to the flight. The anticipation while we waited made me sick and extremely nervous but those feelings went away immediately as we started to roll down that grass strip. I’m scared of heights, but when we lifted off I had that incredible weightless sensation as I looked out the window and saw earth getting smaller. I was instantly hooked."
Petersen has had many mentors through the years but the most influential was his father. "Growing up on a farm I was always helping my dad work on equipment. He helped me develop troubleshooting skills along with knowledge on how to use tools. From there each place I have worked I have listened to key leadership and learned from them. From these great leaders I have put a plan together for how I succeed and work in a team environment."
He received his training from Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology. Advanced training includes familiarization courses for Hawker 125 series aircraft and EMB 135/145 and the NBAA Professional Development Program for successful leadership.
He worked at a repair station in Columbus, OH, doing heavy checks on EMB 135/145 and EMB 175. He became run/taxi qualified on both aircraft and would help train new individuals on the operation and taxi of the aircraft. From there he went to Cleveland and Nextant Aerospace. There. he learned sheet metal skills and made parts, installed parts, performed R&D, developed a system of how-to’s, and ran the pylon build on newly designed aircraft. Deciding he wanted to be in management, he moved to Sky Quest. He has traveled all over the U.S., and visited Colombia and Switzerland to either repair an AOG aircraft, inspect an aircraft and logs for a potential purchase, or just be with the plane and crew for support. He is currently a lead aircraft technician for Sky Quest where he is assigned five Hawker 800/850/900XPs and a 400A Beechjet. He is responsible for scheduling, performing, or quoting maintenance.
Nominated by Cole Goldberg, Business Development, Sky Quest: "Today, Shawn manages a fleet of five Hawkers as the Lead Hawker Mechanic at Sky Quest, a Part 135 private jet charter airline in Cleveland, OH. As the company grows, Shawn continually takes on more roles, helping new mechanics learn the company’s ways, new software, and different techniques, with patience and a genuine desire to see new hires learn and succeed. Shawn strives to service his aircraft with the utmost safety, handling both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, while guiding his line technicians to learn and grow with the company and the fleet. Shawn continues to prove himself at the company solving more and more technical issues in house. While saving the company and aircraft owners money, Shawn personally ensures that all work performed is up to company standards.”
Petersen enjoys talking with people that may be looking for either a career out of high school or a change from what they’re currently doing. "Aviation is an exciting and challenging field and I am happy to share my knowledge and experience. The industry is currently hurting for qualified individuals. We as A&Ps need to try and recruit as many go-getters as we can find. I constantly speak with family, friends and new acquaintances, sharing my work experiences and love for aviation so they can be exposed to this incredible industry."
Petersen hopes to continue to excel as a lead technician, and potential director someday or maybe consult on aircraft sales and acquisitions. He would like to "become less hands on with maintenance and instead take more of a management role to guide new technicians through this complex process."
