"I am a very happy person," begins aviation technician Mindaugas Lisauskas. He's happy because he fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming an aviation mechanic and today works at a world-class aircraft maintenance company. However, his path to this point was neither short nor traditional, and that is precisely why Mindaugas's story is an inspiring example for those who think aviation is "not for them."
A New Career Start – Everything From Scratch Again
Mindaugas has been drawn to aviation since childhood—he was fascinated by films about airplanes, the models his father built, and later, fixing and modifying motorcycles and cars with his neighborhood friends, which nurtured a love for mechanics, technology, and engineering.
However, he didn't pursue studies in aviation mechanics. After high school, Mindaugas was admitted to a tuition-based university spot, so he had to abandon his dream. After completing his economics degree, he worked in business for nearly twenty years, fifteen of which were spent at one of the largest pharmacy chains, where he held the position of regional manager.
Nevertheless, his long-held passion for aviation never disappeared. At the age of 38, Mindaugas realized: if he truly wanted it, now was the time. With no prior aviation education, he began to research: he sought out information, read, and explored the different paths into aircraft maintenance. "That's when I understood a very important truth: it doesn't matter what education you have or what field you worked in before; aviation has clear rules, uniform requirements, and open doors for those who are determined to learn. The main factor is desire—without it, nothing is possible," he says.
Aviation Studies – Not Just for "Math and Science Types"
According to Mindaugas, the profession of an aviation mechanic is not just for "math and science types" or people with exceptional abilities. The difference between people lies not in their aptitude, but in how quickly they can learn new things. He is convinced, however, that there is no discipline or field that a motivated person cannot master.
"The path to becoming an aviation technician requires a lot of learning and effort. First comes basic training, independent study, and exams, followed by studies of specific aircraft types, where the plane is dissected 'from nose to tail.' This is where the real charm of aviation begins: the whole picture starts to fall into place," explains Mindaugas.
An important aspect that the specialist emphasizes for future mechanics is continuous learning. A university, he says, doesn't teach you a profession, but it teaches you how to learn. In aviation, this becomes a daily reality: obtaining a license, adding aircraft type ratings, and continuously upgrading qualifications. "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I still don't know," he admits, adding that this is precisely what brings him joy.
Practical experience is equally important. To obtain an aircraft maintenance engineer's license, one must work in the field for several years, usually starting from a mechanic's position. But here, according to Mindaugas, lies the good news: you can get a job at any time, as long as you have the desire. Most of the training is funded by companies—you invest not money, but time and effort. The most important thing is to have motivation.
Today, working at FL Technics, a company that provides aircraft maintenance and repair services to commercial aviation clients worldwide, Mindaugas is proud of the opportunity to choose—to work in different countries and cities, to change his environment, and to grow professionally. But the most important message he has for young people and those looking for a career change is simple: "The world of aviation is as vast as the sky, and its doors are open to everyone."
His advice to those considering the path of an aviation mechanic is: don't be afraid, ask questions, talk to people, be curious, and, most importantly, answer one question honestly to yourself: do I really want this? If the answer is "yes," then everything else is just a matter of time and effort.
VILNIUS TECH invites companies and young creators of the future to participate in the GRAVITY Career Day on April 16. This is an excellent opportunity to meet representatives from various companies and organizations in one place, chat in person, and learn about real job and internship opportunities.
