In the next instalment of our ‘Meet the Mechanics’ interview series – created to shine a light on the hands-on professionals who keep aircraft in top condition – we feature Nicolas Pecher from Air France Industries-KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI-KLM E&M) who talks about his journey through AFI-KLM E&M, from apprentice to engine expert, and the sense of teamwork and problem-solving that keeps him motivated.
How did you get into aviation maintenance, and what inspired your career path?
After studying in the industrial field, combining electricity and mechanics, I joined the Air France school in Vilgénis as an apprentice in 2006.
Upon completing this training, I was hired by Air France Industries (AFI) for the assembly and disassembly of engine cores across several engine types.
I was immediately drawn to this profession, both for the technical rigor it requires and the diversity of tasks it offers.
Can you walk us through a typical day or shift in your role?
I joined the On-Wing Services team (the engine troubleshooting department of AFI) in 2016. This position stands out due to the great variety of assignments: one day may be dedicated to administrative tasks, service development, gaining expertise on new products, or preparing the logistics for an intervention abroad (tooling, supplies, customs and administrative formalities, etc.), while another may focus on the technical intervention itself on site.
Every day brings its own set of challenges and variety, which makes this job particularly stimulating.
What’s one particularly memorable challenge you’ve faced on the job – and how did you resolve it?
During the COVID-19 period, we had to carry out an intervention in Bhutan, a country that usually has restricted access conditions, especially at that time.
The operation was a real logistical challenge: we had to transport several tons of equipment by plane, and then by truck to the intervention site.
Once on site, coordination was also complex, with several teams working simultaneously on the aircraft and the engine.
The mission was finally completed with full autonomy during the aircraft tests.
This interview continues after the below picture…


How do you and your team approach safety and reliability in your work?
Across AFI and the wider Air France-KLM Group, safety and reliability are absolute priorities, regardless of the business area.
Within On-Wing services, these requirements become even more critical, as we often operate in unfamiliar environments.
Before each mission, our coordinators engage with the client to ensure that the available industrial resources (ladders, lifting equipment, etc.) meet our operational needs and comply with our safety standards.
Once on site, this translates into heightened vigilance and uncompromising rigor, with systematic checks at every stage to eliminate any risk of error.
What changes or innovations do you see shaping the future of aircraft maintenance?
I believe that, as in many other industries, artificial intelligence (AI) will make its way into aircraft maintenance. In particular, through the use of sensors capable of predicting engine failures before they occur, thanks to advanced analysis of data and images.
In addition, virtual reality (VR) should enable more immersive training and make it easier to diagnose failures remotely
What do you enjoy most about the job – and what keeps you motivated day to day?
What I value most in my job is the variety of tasks to accomplish, the close collaboration within the team, the opportunity to regularly discover new working environments, as well as the strong, motivating team spirit that is always present.
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