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North Caroline High School junior Luke Phillips spends several days a week in the Trident Aircraft hangar in the Easton Airport, learning the hands-on work of maintaining small planes. His interest in aviation began after a trip to Africa, where he flew in aircraft similar to those that Trident services. “I was like, ‘this is awesome,’” he said, “I wanted to be on the mechanical side of it.”
Phillips is the most recent student to join Trident Aircraft through Maryland’s youth apprenticeship program. Trident’s CFO, Tad Woodward, explained that the idea started a few years ago when an employee’s teenage son expressed interest in aviation. Trident applied to become part of the state program and brought the student on board. “We folded him into that program, and he is now off in the Air Force, learning to become a mechanic for the Air Force,” Woodward said. “We thought it was such a great program, and we wanted to extend it to give other people the opportunity as well, so we opened up that door, and Luke walked right through it.”
Trident operates as a managed aircraft company. “If you are wealthy enough to own your own aircraft, we will manage that for you, and that means providing pilots, insurance, maintenance, all those type of things,” Woodward said. The company has hangars in Easton, Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Martin State Airport, and several more locations along the East Coast.
At the hangar, Phillips works closely with mechanics Tristan and Steve. “So far, I’m learning a lot,” he said. While he said it can be challenging learning so many new things at once, Phillips appreciates the camaraderie with his co-workers as much as the educational experience. “They make it a lot more fun. I really like it here,” he said.
Those guiding him see that eagerness firsthand. “He seems interested in everything, wanting to learn more and do more,” said Steve, his supervisor. Tristan added, “He’s great. He helps when you need him to help. And he also has fantastic music recommendations.” Woodward agreed: “As far as having Luke on board, things are going really well.”
Phillips hopes to use his apprenticeship as a launchpad toward working for a private aviation company as a plane mechanic. Woodward said the industry is ripe with opportunity, “Aviation is constantly growing, and there is a significant need for mechanics as well as pilots. So any young person that wants to go that route, they’re practically guaranteed a position.”
Trident hopes to expand its student involvement further, including bringing on a bookkeeping apprentice in the future. Woodward credited Eric Cook, the youth apprenticeship coordinator for Caroline County Public Schools, for helping the company navigate the requirements and application process. “I think it’s wonderful that they’re trying to get some of these young people into at least a career, whether they choose to take it or not,” Woodward said, “Even if it doesn’t work out, then it’s something you can cross off your checklist.”
For Phillips, though, the experience seems to be exactly what he hoped for.
