Aircraft Mechanic

Aircraft Mechanic

Fred Robel

27 Years Experience

Au Gres, MI

Male, 49

I'm a licensed Aircraft Mechanic & Inspector with twenty five-plus years in the field. I've had a varied career so far, with time spent in the sheetmetal, mechanic, and inspection specialties. Most of my time is on heavy Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft, of the passenger, cargo, and experimental type. This career isn't for everyone, but I enjoy it.

Please do NOT ask me to troubleshoot problems with your airplane, that is not what this Q&A is for.

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155 Questions

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Last Answer on July 09, 2022

Best Rated

What do you think about a future Boeing 797? What will Boeing do after the 797 (or if seven are nine like most companies do skip that) what would be the next? 7070???

Asked by Dianna almost 5 years ago

I don’t have any inside knowledge to share about Boeing’s future models.

But despite being a Boeing super fan; I am rather pessimistic regarding their future. I think they are being too conservative.

The cancelled Sonic Cruiser project was a disappointment to me. As I saw that as a risk worth taking.

I’ve been following their research into blended wing bodies (BWB). But that’s been in R&D for long time. And Airbus is looking into it now too, and I see it more likely that they will do it before Boeing does.

So, in my opinion: Expect the next ‘big deal’ from Boeing to be an evolutionary design of some kind. A narrow or wide body twin engine; with more composites, computer controls, maybe a different wing design, and better engines.

I am curious to see when the big push to get rid of the copilot comes. There has been talk of single seat cockpits for years, as the autopilot and other systems have gotten better. Airlines would love to pay less for flight deck crews.

Is that you in the photo

Asked by adf almost 5 years ago

Yes

If you where the last one to work on a plane before it crashes could you be held responsible

Asked by Bobby almost 5 years ago

Depends on what you did, and what caused the accident.

If what you did was unrelated to the accidents cause, then you’re fine.

Conversely: if what you did caused the accident, it doesn’t matter when you performed the critical task. Today, last week, or last year. You could be held liable.

Are the Jobstr guys still doing anything on this site or is it a abandoned project? I sent them a email and they said they read everything and NOTHING. I am worried once the last of you who actually still answer regularly once their gone this site is dead

Asked by Donnie almost 5 years ago

I have not had any contact with the site founders since I accepted their invitation, and set up this Q&A.

Someone is still paying to keep the lights on though.

Also, if the DC-10 is so unsafe why do they use them for cargo? I mean while freight is not as important as people I know the flight crew is people right? Also people on the ground like me I don’t want to have to worry about planes falling out of out of the sky and blowing my ass away

Asked by Mikey almost 5 years ago

DC-10s are just as safe as any other well maintained older aircraft. The notion that they are unsafe springs from ignorance.

Have you ever worked on a 737 max plane? Did you find anything wrong with them??

Asked by Peyton almost 5 years ago

No. I have never worked on a B737 Max. The newest B737 I have worked on, is a -400.

*CORRECTED* So after loosing 12B dollars Boeing last year they are giving their employees bonuses. How and why?

Asked by Tammie about 4 years ago

I am not privy to internal Boeing operation and policies.

Let me know when you have a question about being an aircraft technician or inspector.