James Pinzon
California City,CA
Summary
Hands-on Aircrew Flight Equipment technician, supervisor, section chief, manager with over 22 years experience working in customer service for pilots and aircrew providing world class emergency oxygen equipment utilized for in flight operations and forward operated duty locations in over 10 countries. Managed/trained/supervised over 50 personnel training/mentoring them on Air Force protocol and proper inspection/repack of safety equipment utilized in case of emergency pre-positioned on an assortment of aircraft.
Knowledgeable [Desired Position] with thorough understanding of maintaining and inspecting flight equipment. Successfully ensured mission-ready status of gear through meticulous maintenance and safety protocols. Demonstrated technical expertise and attention to detail, ensuring equipment reliability and crew safety.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Aircrew Flight Equipment Technician
Edwards AFB
Edwards AFB CA
11.2023 - Current
- Oversaw maintenance and repair of aircrew flight equipment, ensuring operational readiness and safety compliance.
- Led training programs for junior technicians, enhancing team proficiency in equipment handling and safety protocols.
- Implemented process improvements that increased efficiency in equipment inspections and repairs by optimizing workflow.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to troubleshoot equipment issues, facilitating timely resolutions and minimizing downtime.
- Conducted thorough inspections of flight gear, ensuring adherence to military standards and operational requirements.
Aircrew Flight Equipment Section Chief
United States Air Force
Tucson, AZ
10.2017 - Current
- Managed/Supervised 20 military members who inspect/repair life saving equipment.
- Forecasted yearly production costs to budgetary guidelines and adjusted variables to achieve budget compliance.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness. Provided feedback for corrections and positive reinforcement to further career.
- Trained 10 personnel on floatation equipment, Night Vision Goggles, parachute inspection and pack, and procedures and safety.
- Provided Quality Assurance checks on all equipment to provide quality product to Pilots/aircrew
Physiological Support Supervisor
United States Air Force
Beale AFB, CA
10.2012 - 10.2017
- Manages 20 personnel creating daily schedule.
- Monitored over 50 U-2 pilots daily vitals ensuring fit to fly.
- Supervised 12 personnel at three deployed locations charged with hooking up pilots into the U-2 aircraft for pressurized flight at 70,000 feet.
- Performed over 200 cockpit integrations for pilots scheduled to fly over 70,000 feet in U-2 aircraft.
- Lead Quality Assurance inspector for squadron of over 200 people inspecting work centers for safety compliance/regulations. Inspected over 400 plus pieces of space suit technology for U-2 aircraft flights sustained at 70,000 feet.
Aircrew Flight Equipment Craftsman
United States Air Force
Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson AZ
10.2007 - 10.2012
- Performed flight line Aircrew Flight Equipment pre-flight inspections of pre-positioned life rafts, parachutes, emergency oxygen masks.
- Performed inspection/cleaning/repair of emergency parachutes. Inspected over 400 parachutes
- Performed break down/cleaning/reassembly of pilots Oxygen masks and helmets used in flight.
- Managed OSHA standards and inventoried and inspected chemicals used for cleaning/repair of life rafts and parachutes.
- Monitored safety protocol for over 20 shop personnel. Ensured proper safety tools utilized during shop operations.
Survival Equipment Craftsman
United States Air Force
Ramstein AB, Germany
10.2005 - 10.2007
- Handled, labeled and disposed of waste according to correct procedures.
- Performed preventive and corrective maintenance on aviation support equipment and associated systems and components.
- Maintained vehicles per manufacturer specifications, applying prescribed preventive maintenance per Vehicle Maintenance squadron support documentation.
- Inspected and repacked emergency parachutes, emergency life preservers and life rafts.
- Crafted/sewed/repaired aircrew clothing, manufactured Foreign Object Debris bags for flight line use.
Survival Equipment Journeyman
United States Air Force
Osan AB, Korea
10.2004 - 10.2005
- Inspected cold weather flight suits utilized in flight with the F-16 Aircraft
- Performed maintenance and repair of life preservers and life rafts
- Inspected and repacked high altitude/high speed parachutes utilized in ejection seat flight aircraft.
- Manufactured wheel covers, repaired flight clothing utilizing shop sewing machines.
Survival Equipment Apprentice
United States Air Force
Minot AFB, ND
10.2002 - 10.2004
- Completed written reports of problems and necessary repairs and forwarded to maintenance personnel.
- Maintained equipment with regular inspections and minor repairs, notifying supervisor immediately of major issues.
- Inspected and repacked B-52 aircraft Drag Chutes utilized to slow aircraft
- Inspected/repaired B-52 Thermal Curtains utilized for Nuclear operations
- Documented/reported maintenance numbers to maintenance squadron utilizing online database.
- Inspected and maintained daily tools utilized for maintenance procedures
Education
Associate of Science - Associates of Aircrew Flight Equipment
Community College of The Air Force
United States Air Force05-2020
Skills
- Consumer Behavior
- Strategy Implementation
- OSHA Standards enforcer
- Budget Controls for yearly shop budget
- Customer Service representative for United States Air Force Pilots and Aircrew
- Quality Assurance Inspector
- Life Science investigator/analytics reviewer
- Consolidated Tool Kit monitor
- Shipping and receiving monitor
- Vehicle performance monitor
- Program Manager
- Quality assurance checks
- Troubleshooting and repair
- Workload prioritization
Certification
- Life Science Investigation Course
- Program Managers Course
Timeline
Aircrew Flight Equipment Technician
Edwards AFB
11.2023 - Current
Aircrew Flight Equipment Section Chief
United States Air Force
10.2017 - Current
Physiological Support Supervisor
United States Air Force
10.2012 - 10.2017
Aircrew Flight Equipment Craftsman
United States Air Force
10.2007 - 10.2012
Survival Equipment Craftsman
United States Air Force
10.2005 - 10.2007
Survival Equipment Journeyman
United States Air Force
10.2004 - 10.2005
Survival Equipment Apprentice
United States Air Force
10.2002 - 10.2004
Associate of Science - Associates of Aircrew Flight Equipment
Community College of The Air Force