Shop Avionics: tinker to your heart's content

It’s only a few more weeks until Lars finishes his internship at the Avionics shop, but he doesn't want to leave. He talks to his supervisor Rutger Vijfwinkel, who's been running the department for ten years. Both of them work on complicated electrical aircraft parts every day. There’s still so much more to learn, and if it's up to them, they’ve got a long KLM road ahead of them. What makes their work so great? They're happy to tell you.

Small but great

'I am one of the few who started doing this kind of work after studying Electrical Engineering' begins Lars. 'The study is very installation-oriented, so most of my classmates are connecting 220 volts in buildings - the gritty electrical work so to speak. As a result, it took me a while to get used to things at KLM. In this department you won't find gigantic installations, we mainly do very delicate work. Fortunately, I get great help from my colleagues - including Rutger.

Everyone knows everyone

Like Lars, Rutger also started as a trainee at KLM. 'That was ten years ago now,' he says. 'In the meantime, I've grown into an operating foreman. I supervise forty people, but most of the time I work alongside them.' He laughs: 'Exactly as the name suggests.' The fact that Rutger and Lars work together isn’t a coincidence. 'Rutger’s my brother's best friend,' says Lars, 'so when I was looking for an internship, it wasn’t long before I ended up speaking to him about it. We talked about it at a barbecue and before long I was dropping by for an interview.'

Patience is a virtue

'At the Avionics shop, we work all day on electrical aircraft parts,' Rutger explains. 'We check and repair everything that comes from the cockpit, such as panels, and navigation equipment. But we also receive invisible elements, such as transmitters and receivers. When the parts are here, it's often a bit of a puzzle to find out what exactly is broken, that can sometimes take a couple of hours.

Sustainable and efficient

He continues: 'We live in a time when electrical appliances are easy to replace; think of phones or remote controls. Buying a new one is often cheaper than repairing it. That doesn't apply here, in building 425, we never just throw a part away. At least, not before we've done everything we can to save it.' 'Make no mistake,' Lars adds. 'For a completely new circuit board, you're easily looking at ten thousand euros. Whereas replacing a small part of it only costs a euro or two.'

Mr. atmosphere management

The arrival of Lars and other starting technicians has breathed new life into the Avionics shop. 'We really are a team here, young and old. It's incredibly valuable to have different kinds of people and knowledge in your team. And the atmosphere is also top-notch. Our department is divided into three areas and it's up to me to make sure everyone keeps looking out for each other.'

Pass it on

Lars' internship is almost over, and his study will soon be complete, but his time at KLM is definitely not over as far as he is concerned. 'If I pass then I'm hired,' he says proudly. 'Then I can keep on doing what I'm doing now, but as a 'full' colleague. Eventually, like Rutger, I want to progress into a manager. I am eager to share the passion for engineering that I have seen in my supervisors with other students. Every time I see an aircraft flying, I stop and think, my components are in there - that's an amazing thought.'

Rutger is also far from finished with his education. 'I've started a part-time study in Technical Business Administration. I don't yet know exactly which way I want to go with it, but I do know that it opens many doors. Besides, KLM is so big and there are so many different kinds of positions that would suit me. In any case, I think it's important to keep growing.'

On a voyage of discovery

It’s not only the career opportunities, but also the terms of employment make KLM a great employer, according to Lars and Rutger. 'I always flaunt it to my friends,' Lars laughs, 'Thanks to the ISA scheme, I'll soon be on the other side of the ocean for a very attractive price. From Las Vegas I'll fly on to Australia and back home via Dubai.' Rutger winks: 'First let's see if you get six months off! But it is very attractive perk of the job. Sometimes we also have to visit manufacturers in America for our work. You get to travel and get paid for it, Business class there and back if it's possible. What a great job!