Shay Crans
Ask me about
- How I have always had an interest in aviation
- Choosing to re-do year 12
- Discovering there were more roles in aviation than just flying
About me
- Regional Background
I am an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Progressive (Life Support) with Boeing Defence Australia. From a young age I developed a passion for flying and aviation growing up in Tassie, visiting with family interstate.
As my knowledge of the aviation industry expanded, my mother encouraged me to pursue a career in aviation – flying. When I was a teenager, my horizons were widened from the civil aviation industry to include Australian Defence Aviation with my involvement in the Australian Air Force Cadets.
During this time I found out that there was more to aviation careers than just flying – sparking my interest in working in other roles.
I am deeply passionate about showing girls and women more about non-traditional roles, especially in the aviation industry.
About my role
- Logical
- Observant
- Optimistic
- Resourceful
- Sociable
The role of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer - Life Support (AME LS) is to maintain the aircraft, mounted and aircrew mounted aeronautical life support equipment and safety and survival equipment. AME LS are also responsible for conducting aircrew and passenger training on the application of life support equipment.
Depending on the aircraft type that you work on, there are different responsibilities. Working on fast jets such at the F/A-18F Super Hornet AME LS are focused on individually fitting and maintain all the equipment that Aircrew require to fly including helmets, masks, anti-g suits and survival/ejection harness’.
When working on Passenger and cargo aircraft, AME LS are responsible for fitting, servicing, and packing aircrew helmets and masks, passenger emergency oxygen mask systems, life jacket and survival equipment including life rafts, and packing survival food and water.
Other equipment AME LS are responsible for include servicing location beacon radios, rescue pyrotechnics, packing parachutes and operate industrial sewing machines for the manufacture of various fabric components.
Education
- High School Certificate
- Cert IV in Public safety (Aviation Life Support Maintenance)
Subjects
- Aerospace Systems
- Chemistry
- Design
- Engineering/Engineering Skills
- Mathematical Methods (Maths B)
Awards
- Airman/woman of the Quarter – 6 Squadron, RAAF
- Australian Defence Medal
Hobbies
- Cooking
- Travel
Pets
- 1 Dog
15 year old me!!
My career journey
-
First job at 14 in a take away store
-
Chose to redo grade 12
-
Joined the RAAF
-
Promoted to Corporal
-
Started working for Boeing Defence Australia