In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Creighton Johannes, an A&P mechanic and Director of Maintenance who’s worked on everything from light GA aircraft to King Airs, Gulfstreams, and helicopters. Creighton breaks down what aviation maintenance really looks like day to day, what pilots often misunderstand about maintenance, and why an A&P license is often described as a license to learn.
From training pathways and accelerated programs to corrosion, deferred maintenance, and human factors, this conversation offers an inside look at the people who keep aircraft airworthy and the responsibility that comes with it.
In this episode:
- What A&P school is actually like—and why hands-on time matters
- Why the A&P license lets mechanics work across aircraft types immediately
- How aviation maintenance differs from automotive and diesel work
- The biggest misconceptions pilots have about maintenance timelines
- Why corrosion is one of the most dangerous and overlooked threats in GA
- How maintenance culture has evolved around safety and human factors
- The realities of parts shortages, salvage yards, and traceability
- Differences between Part 91, 135, and 121 maintenance standards
- Career paths, pay expectations, and progression for A&P mechanics
- Why networking matters just as much for maintainers as it does for pilots
- Advice for students, career-changers, and aspiring aircraft mechanics
About the guest:
Creighton Johannes is an A&P mechanic and Director of Maintenance based in Arizona. He has experience across general aviation, charter operations, and helicopters, including factory training on the Bell 407. Creighton brings a practical, safety-first perspective to aviation maintenance and mentorship for the next generation of mechanics.