Travis Gilbertson
Summary
Seasoned Aviation Maintenance Manager and Test Pilot with a distinguished career in US Army Special Operations. Excelled in safety management and personnel training, enhancing fleet reliability and reducing downtime by implementing efficient repair schedules. Proven leader in high-stakes environments, adept at decision-making and problem-solving, ensuring mission success and team excellence.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Aviation Maintenance Manager/Test Pilot
US Army Special Operations
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
01.2023 - Current
- Coordinated actions of multiple departments under strict time constraints in a highly dynamic environment, ensuring safe completion of major maintenance events.
- Conducted root cause analysis on recurring issues, devising long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences.
- Conducted test flights and systems checks to ensure proper operation of repaired systems and components
- Coordinated with flight operations teams to minimize disruption caused by scheduled maintenance activities.
- Reduced downtime for aircraft repairs through efficient scheduling and resource management.
- Increased overall fleet reliability by conducting rigorous airworthiness inspections and addressing issues proactively.
MH-47 Heavy Assault Helicopter Pilot
US Army Special Operations
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
05.2020 - 01.2023
- Conducted meticulous flight planning to maximize fuel efficiency and available cargo carrying ability while operating in the worlds most challenging environments.
- Completed careful pre-flight checks and post-flight briefings to maintain safety standards.
- Reviewed aeronautical charts and used navigational instruments during each flight and maintained strong knowledge of government and company regulations.
- Collaborated effectively with ground crew personnel to ensure seamless coordination during mission execution.
- Evaluated new aviation technologies and recommended cost-effective upgrades to enhance aircraft performance and reliability.
UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot
US Army
Fort Campbell, KY
08.2017 - 05.2020
- Completed post-flight maintenance reports and worked with crew chief for post-maintenance check flights.
- Planned routes, altitudes and speeds to provide fastest, safest and smoothest flights for on-time arrivals and high levels of passenger satisfaction.
- Planned and filed daily flight plans for training missions, sorties, and patrol flights.
- Corporate level manager of company weapons and night vision devices, overseeing all maintenance, accountability, and strict adherence of regulations
Student Pilot
US Army
Fort Novosel, AL
10.2015 - 08.2017
- Collaborated effectively with instructors and fellow student pilots in group learning environments for better skill development.
- Achieved comprehensive understanding of aviation principles through rigorous coursework and hands-on experience.
- Strengthened understanding of aerodynamics by dissecting complex concepts such as lift, drag, thrust, weight balance calculations for optimal performance.
- Expanded comprehension of aircraft systems through thorough examination of maintenance records, manuals, and hands-on observation of repairs or modifications when possible.
Helicopter Mechanic Supervisor/Flight Engineer
US Army Special Operations
Fort Campbell, KY
05.2008 - 10.2015
- Established a strong safety culture within the team, leading to improved adherence to OSHA regulations and industry best practices.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations of team members, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement initiatives.
- Oversaw preventative maintenance programs, extending the life expectancy of aircraft components while reducing costs associated with unplanned repairs.
- Enhanced crew preparedness by providing comprehensive training on aircraft systems, emergency procedures, and situational awareness techniques.
- Provided systems and troubleshooting expertise as an integrated crewmember for more than 1000 hours of flight time.
MH-47 Helicopter Mechanic
US Army Special Operations
Fort Campbell, KY
05.2004 - 05.2008
- Collaborated with maintenance team members to complete projects on time and within budget constraints.
- Mentored junior mechanics in best practices, contributing to a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.
- Logged maintenance notes regarding status of aircraft repairs.
- Removed and installed aircraft subsystem assemblies such as engines, rotors, gearboxes, transmissions, and mechanical flight controls.
- Followed safety procedures while analyzing issues and working on aircraft.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Aeronautics
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Worldwide Campus03-2023
Skills
- Decision making and problem solving
- Employee Management
- Safety management systems
- Preventative maintenance planning
- Repairs and troubleshooting
- Repair scheduling
- Training and mentoring
- Quality assurance management
- Crew resource management
- Deadline-Oriented Time Management