Airplane Geeks Podcast

845 Aircraft Maintenance

Apr 23, 2025
James Spearman, an FAA A&P mechanic and KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, shares insights from his aviation career and running James Spearman Aircraft LLC. He discusses the appeal of Cirrus aircraft for owners seeking efficiency. The conversation covers wildlife strike incidents, military weather briefings, and the implications of recent budget cuts to NOAA. James recounts a harrowing night mission, detailing a critical electrical failure while refueling jets, and reflects on the challenges of operating older aircraft while managing a maintenance business.
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ANECDOTE

Growing Maintenance Shop

  • James runs a Part 145 repair station focused on Cirrus and Diamond aircraft with five mechanics and two IAs.
  • He also offers seaplane training in an Icon A5 and is an Epic service center.
INSIGHT

Blend Weather Sources

  • Military aircrews use both official briefings and commercial tools like ForeFlight for weather situational awareness.
  • A blended approach gives a clearer picture than relying on a single source.
INSIGHT

Uniform Suit Cleared Scientifically

  • Legal findings cleared American Airlines' 2015 uniform supplier after tests found no chemical link to reported illnesses.
  • The court questioned self-reported symptom collection methods and potential psychogenic contributors.
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