Aircraft mechanic Joshua Borel of Chennault Aviation breaks down why the industry faces a 700,000-person shortage over the next 15 years — and how A&P techs build six-figure careers.
Joshua Borel didn't set out to work on airplanes for a living, but as Director of Maintenance at Chennault Aviation, he's now responsible for a fleet that ranges from a 1962 Piper to customer aircraft flown by first-time solo students. His rule is simple: you can't pull over at the next cloud. Once you're airborne, there are no second chances, so the work has to be right the first time — every time.
Joshua's path started in the Air Force as a C-5 crew chief before he went through A&P school and worked his way up to leading maintenance for a flight school, a Part 135 charter operation, and a Part 147 A&P academy. Along the way, he's coached students to first-place finishes in national maintenance competitions and helped train the next generation of aircraft mechanics from the ground up.
In this episode, Joshua walks through what it actually takes to become an aircraft maintenance technician: the schooling, the FAA testing, the starting wages, and the surprising ceiling on how far the career can go. He also unpacks a shortage most people outside the industry have never heard about — and why fixing it matters for anyone who's ever stepped on a plane.
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) – No Second Chances: What sets an aircraft mechanic apart from a general mechanic is integrity — once a plane is in the air, there's no fixing a mistake mid-flight.
(08:00) – Breaking Into the Trade: How to shadow a shop, what an 18-month A&P program looks like, and what the FAA's oral and practical DME exam actually tests.
(13:00) – The Pay Ceiling Isn't Real: Aircraft mechanics start around $20–25 an hour, but Joshua explains how adding certifications and experience can lead to six-figure, even C-suite, aviation careers.
(15:00) – The 700,000 Mechanic Shortage: Why the U.S. government doesn't classify A&P as a skilled trade, and how that gap leaves students facing $40,000–$70,000 in school costs without the funding help other trades get.
(17:00) – Not Rocket Science: An A&P license qualifies mechanics to legally work on Falcon 9, Artemis, and Blue Origin spacecraft — no advanced degree required.
(19:00) – Mentorship That Pays It Forward: What separates a mentor worth going back to from one you avoid, and how Joshua's own mentors shaped his career.
Key Takeaways
Integrity is the defining trait of an aircraft mechanic — the job has zero tolerance for "I'll fix it later" because there's no pulling over once you're in the air.
Getting started in aircraft maintenance typically means an 18-month A&P program followed by FAA oral and practical testing, with entry-level pay around $20–25 an hour and no real ceiling on where the career can lead.
The aviation industry needs over 700,000 new mechanics in the next 15–20 years, and the shortage is made worse because A&P isn't federally recognized as a skilled trade — cutting students off from funding help for their $40,000–$70,000 schooling.
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work on a rocket — an A&P license is the same certification that qualifies mechanics to legally maintain Falcon 9, Artemis, and Blue Origin spacecraft.
About the Guest
Joshua Borel is the Director of Maintenance at Chennault Aviation in Conroe, Texas, where he oversees maintenance across a Part 61 flight school, a Part 135 charter operation, and a Part 147 A&P training academy. He got his start in the Air Force as a C-5 crew chief before earning his A&P license and working his way up through the ranks at Chennault, where he's spent the last eight years.
Joshua now coaches Chennault's aviation maintenance competition team — the same competition he competed in as a student — and is helping lead efforts to close the industry's growing workforce shortage through expanded scholarship access and new flight and maintenance school locations.
Keywords
aircraft mechanic, A&P mechanic, aircraft maintenance technician, airframe and powerplant, aviation maintenance career, A&P school, FAA certification, aircraft mechanic salary, aviation workforce shortage, skilled trades career, aviation career pathway, avionics, general aviation, Piper aircraft, aerospace careers, Joshua Borel, Chennault Aviation, Chennault Aviation Academy, 69th DRS Flying Tigers, Boeing, SpaceX
RESOURCE LINKS
Chennault Aviation Website: https://caacxo.com/
69th DRS Flying Tigers Scholarships: https://69thdrsscholarships.org/
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