This article was originally published on the Vertical Mag website and is published here with permission.
As workforce shortages continue to pressure operators across the helicopter industry, maintenance leaders say attracting and retaining technicians will require more than simply filling vacancies.
The challenge is developing maintainers who understand the pace, accountability, and technical demands of rotary-wing operations, and who are prepared to build long-term careers within them.
During a panel discussion at the Vertical MRO Conference in Irving, Texas, maintenance leaders discussed what it takes to enter and succeed in helicopter maintenance. The conversation ranged from technical skill development and shop culture to workforce pipelines and professionalism.
The panel brought together Shawn Bruton, director of maintenance at Metro Aviation; Austin Rowles, director of maintenance at Helicopter Institute; and Jon Dillenberg, Part 147 director and president of Thrust Institute of Maintenance.
Together, the panelists described a field where technicians are expected to adapt quickly, solve problems independently, and build experience across multiple specialties and operational environments.
Drawing on 31 years at Metro Aviation, Bruton said careers in helicopter maintenance are often built over time, with technicians gaining experience in multiple areas before moving into leadership roles.
Bruton himself “started at the bottom” at the company where his father worked, before moving through paint, production, engines, and sheet metal on his way to director of maintenance.
“You may not start where you think you should, but sometimes you just need to get your foot in the door,” Bruton said. “When you work harder than everybody else, you’ll have those opportunities to move along.”
Bruton emphasized that helicopter maintenance offers a range of career paths, especially for technicians willing to develop skills in different areas of maintenance and support operations.
The panelists repeatedly pointed to the variety of work involved in helicopter maintenance, along with the troubleshooting skills the job demands.
Rowles, who entered aviation after studying computer science, described vertical aviation maintenance as “a last bastion of true troubleshooting,” contrasting it with industries that increasingly rely on replacing components rather than diagnosing and repairing problems.
He said he became frustrated with the repetitive nature of IT troubleshooting, joking that many fixes amounted to “turn it off, turn it back on again.” Aviation offered a different kind of challenge. A mentor later introduced him to the field by asking him to repair a damaged landing gear fairing.
“That open-ended question that really challenges your skill level and your ability to think through a problem interested me significantly,” he said.
Rowles noted that obtaining an airframe and powerplant (A&P) certificate is only the starting point for many technicians. Additional skills in areas such as welding, composites, avionics, and sheet metal can significantly expand both career opportunities and long-term value within the industry.
“If you’re a fantastic welder, you’re going to have a great career in aviation,” he said.
Beyond technical ability, Dillenberg stressed that professionalism and reputation remain critical in an industry as small and interconnected as helicopter maintenance.
At Thrust Institute, he said students are expected to approach training with the same standards required in an operational maintenance environment, including punctuality, shop discipline, and consistent work habits.
“We’re trying to take young people and teach them what a work day is,” Dillenberg said.
The panelists also emphasized networking and industry involvement. “Talk to everybody,” Bruton said. “You never know who you meet, and what door that may open.”
They added that candidates who arrive with an understanding of an operator’s fleet, mission profile, and maintenance environment often distinguish themselves during the hiring process.
The panelists said those expectations are becoming increasingly important as operators face mounting labor shortages and growing competition for qualified technicians.
To help address that gap, the panelists pointed to early outreach and workforce development efforts aimed at introducing students to aviation maintenance before they enter the workforce.
Bruton said Metro Aviation recruits directly from high school programs and invests heavily in on-the-job development. “That’s the only way that we’re going to get over this hump,” he said.
Dillenberg also highlighted efforts to introduce aviation maintenance programs into high schools while engaging lawmakers on workforce and training initiatives.
Throughout the discussion, the panelists described helicopter maintenance as a field that increasingly requires adaptability, technical specialization, and long-term workforce development.
As Rowles put it, in this field, “your skill set matters.”
The Vertical MRO Conferences return this fall to Kelowna, B.C. October 5 – 7 and Irving, Texas, November 16-18, 2026. To see this year’s panelists and presentation offerings and to register, visit the Vertical MRO Conference’s website.