Meet Michele Palmas! A Passionate and Inspiring Engineer…
Today, in celebration of National Engineers Week, we had the privilege of interviewing Michele Palmas. He shared insights into his journey in the aviation industry, detailing his experience working with aircraft, the highs and lows of his career, and valuable advice for aspiring engineers looking to follow in his footsteps.
What does a standard day in your life as an aircraft engineer look like?
My typical workday begins with checking the work packages, preparing the necessary parts, and reviewing manuals for the tasks ahead. When an aircraft arrives, I conduct the required exterior inspections for the daily and pre-flight checks. Once completed, I proceed with the work orders, which may involve troubleshooting, part replacements, or inspections.
I particularly enjoy troubleshooting, as it challenges me to apply my knowledge of the aircraft, its systems, manuals, and past experience. There’s always something new to learn, which I find incredible. Despite having just six years in the field, I’ve worked on five different aircraft types, handling everything from servicing to replacing actuators, troubleshooting hydraulic and fuel pumps, electronic components, seats, screens, cockpit windows, and structural repairs. The best part of my job is its variety—every day brings new challenges and learning opportunities, which I find truly rewarding.
What led you to pursue a career in aircraft engineering?
Since I was young, I’ve always looked up at the sky, searching for aircrafts. When I was 15, I had a conversation with my parents about changing schools. I was attending a surveyor school at the time, but I told them, “I love airplanes, let’s find an aviation school.” We found one in Olbia, 80 km from home, and visited it during the summer. As soon as I entered the school, I knew it was where I belonged.
While studying there, I had the opportunity to do an internship at the Meridiana maintenance shop at Olbia airport. It was there that I first got hands-on with an aircraft—touching the engine, the wheels, and the brakes. It was an amazing experience, and in that moment, I had a realisation: I want to be an aircraft engineer. The thought that the work I do, the parts I touch, will one day be in the sky fills me with emotion. That’s the true meaning of passion for me.
How do you stay on top of changing aviation regulations and industry standards?
In aviation, learning never stops. New courses, regulations, and procedures are constantly introduced, all aimed at improving safety and security, both in the aircraft and at the airport. Aviation is always evolving, and we must evolve alongside it. Staying updated on the latest developments is the best way to ensure we keep pace.
Bostonair and my Station Manager, Alexios, play a key role in keeping me informed about new regulations. The training provided by Bostonair is an excellent way to stay current, and the meetings with Alexios are essential for discussing and understanding the latest regulatory changes, ensuring we can implement them in the best possible way.
What innovations or advancements in aviation engineering are you most excited about?
I’m truly excited about how advances in material technologies are continuously expanding their applications in aviation. Today, we have fuselages and landing gears made from carbon fibre, and compressor and turbine blades crafted from advanced composite materials—things that were unimaginable 20 or 30 years ago.
I’m also thrilled by the improvements in onboard technology. Modern aircrafts now feature full-screen cockpits and touchscreens, while the number of LRU boxes has been drastically reduced thanks to the development of card files that house multiple software programs. In the past, each software required a large, heavy LRU box.
I believe AI has significant potential in the development of new aircraft, and perhaps in the future, it could be integrated onboard to assist engineers with troubleshooting and testing.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing the aviation industry today, and how do aircraft engineers contribute to solving them?
The biggest challenge in aviation today is the exceptional increase in flights. Aircraft are flying more hours than ever, requiring engineers to maintain them in peak condition and perform their work to the highest standards. Only by doing so can we keep aircraft environmentally friendly, minimising defects and faults to ensure maximum efficiency.
What is your favourite memory of your career in aircraft engineering?
One of my favourite memories in my career was completing my first locking wire. It was at the very start of my journey, and it was the first task I performed that would later take flight. I was so excited that I waited until the aircraft took off and tracked the entire flight on FlightRadar. The locking wire was on a sense line in the EEC (Electronic Engine Control) of the right engine of a Boeing 737-800—a moment I’ll never forget.
What’s the most fulfilling part of being an aircraft engineer?
The most fulfilling part of being an aircraft engineer is when an aircraft arrives with a fault, and it’s up to you to troubleshoot and fix it—otherwise, it can’t fly. When you successfully resolve the issue and watch the aircraft take off, you realise it’s all possible because of your skills, dedication, and professionalism. In that moment, I feel truly proud of myself and the work I do.
What advice would you give to young engineers just starting out, and which skills are crucial for succeeding in the field?
The advice I would give to a young engineer is to learn from every colleague. Everyone has their own approach to problem-solving, decision-making, and handling different situations—observe and take the best from each of them.
Never be afraid to ask questions, no matter how simple they may seem. There are no stupid questions, and sometimes, your question might even help others see things from a new perspective.
Always read the manuals—learning how to use them effectively means half your work is already done. Double-check your work if needed; spending an extra five minutes to be sure is always better than having doubts later.
By following these principles and staying up to date, you’ll set yourself up for success and become a skilled engineer
If you’re thinking of joining Michele, our team and our Line Maintenance Station in Frankfurt,
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