Base Maintenance Department,
Aircraft Maintenance Center, Haneda
Please tell us about your current duties.
I oversee base maintenance at Haneda Airport. We maintain aircraft that is brought into the hangar and inspect it over several weeks. The base maintenance is divided into specialties. I mainly handle maintenance of flight control surfaces and landing gear. I also make use of my maintenance qualifications to perform engine test runs and support line maintenance when needed.
Is there any maintenance work that left a lasting impression on you?
I remember the first time I was dispatched to Naha Airport to deal with an engine issue after being appointed as a Line Verification Supervisor. In an unfamiliar environment, I was the maintenance leader to change the engine. During the final engine test run, I repeatedly and carefully checked everything so I could confidently say, "This aircraft is good to go." I can still remember how anxious I was and the sense of accomplishment after we completed the task.
A message to our customers and students
Thank you for flying with JAL.
Please enjoy your flight with peace of mind as our experienced expert engineers perform maintenance on our aircraft with great care. Aircraft maintenance requires obtaining type-specific maintenance qualifications and involves lifelong learning. It is precisely the knowledge and experience cultivated in this process that enable us to send off each aircraft with confidence. The responsibility is great, but the work is highly rewarding. To students interested in aircraft maintenance, let us work together as maintenance professionals to safeguard the skies!
KII Rinka
Maintenance Department,
Aircraft Maintenance Center, Osaka
What prompted you to join JAL Engineering?
I loved watching airplanes at airports since I was young and wanted to pursue an aviation-related career since I was at school. During an internship while attending a technical college, I was exposed to aircraft maintenance work, and seeing engineers take pride in their duties inspired me to apply to JAL Engineering. Although I studied electrical engineering at university and had little knowledge of aircraft maintenance, one of the deciding factors was that JAL Engineering provides a robust environment for new recruits.
Please tell us about your work and the environment for women.
I belong to a department at the Osaka Aircraft Maintenance Center that performs base maintenance on aircraft manufactured by Embraer of Brazil. I handle a wide range of aircraft maintenance tasks without limiting myself to a specific specialty.
While the number of female engineers is small, we can take maternity and childcare leave and also menstrual leave. Although aircraft maintenance often involves heavy items, JAL Engineering is considerate to women's physical constraints thus there are limits on the weight of parts that we can carry. In addition, the environment is conducive to working comfortably, which includes women's protective gear, dedicated changing rooms, and shower facilities.
What are your future goals?
My goal is to obtain the national qualification of First-Class Aircraft Maintenance Engineer for Embraer at the Osaka Aircraft Maintenance Center. I also propose to host public tours in Osaka like the regular tours held for general customers at Haneda. I want to create opportunities for people in the Kansai area to easily engage with their interest.
