Airworthiness, Aircraft Surveyor Job

Airworthiness Surveyor - George Monteiro

George was recruited to the position of Airworthiness Surveyor from his previous role within aviation consultancy. His career move was prompted by two key factors, as he explains:

"As a licensed Aircraft Engineer and Chartered Engineer, I wanted to gain more in-depth practical knowledge in aviation and its oversight - and I knew that the CAA is an organisation which excels in this area"

"Having a family and working long hours, I also wanted to get my life back. The work-life balance offered by the CAA was worth its weight in gold - which is why I was happy to take an initial pay cut to join. "

But it wasn’t just the flexibility that surprised him. “If I’m honest, I suppose my image of the CAA was that it was a place for people who had already achieved their career goals – somewhere to settle down before you retire. All I can say is that my perceptions changed drastically! I soon realised that I’d joined a dynamic organisation full of sharp people… an organisation that is always looking for new talent to bring in new skills sets.

“It’s amazing to have all the knowledge within the industry ‘under one roof’ and it makes for a really productive cross-fertilisation of ideas.”

In just a year, George feels that he has been given the chance to develop. “Because I was interested, I started to do more than my job actually entailed – and it was spotted. So now I’m also recognised as a training specialist in my field. My ultimate aim is to get all my competencies ticked and reach the top of my grade in surveying. If you show the initiative, there’s always room to progress.”

He explains that his aviation jobs span everything from survey investigation issues and audits to maintenance programme reviews. He surveys aircraft and oversees log-book history to ensure they are fully compliant and up to date with procedures.

“The biggest challenge is learning to manage your own time,” he says. “There’s so much and such a variety of things to do. One day there might be the excitement of getting a new aircraft straight from the factory and having to make sure it meets all approved modifications – but it’s just as exciting meeting your daily objectives and your overall goal, which is primarily to regulate air safety.

“In doing so you appreciate what great people you’re working with. When you evaluate an aircraft and there’s nothing wrong with it, it shows that the person before you - and the person before that person – is doing an amazing job!

“That’s the key,” he enthuses. “Yes, the job does a lot for you, but it’s also about what you can do for the job – taking safety to the next level.”