8 minute read
Does a career await you at Continental Aerospace Technologies?
By Jamie Beckett
Nestled into the green and genteel flatlands of the Alabama Gulf Coast exists one of the most storied and compelling aerospace employers in aviation history. Established in Muskegon, Michigan more than 115 years ago, Continental Aerospace Technologies is no newcomer to the game. Originally known as Continental Motors, this powerhouse of a powerplant manufacturer has been providing the horses to get general aviation airborne while pushing the boundaries of piston powered technology since Orville and Wilbur were shopping their early models of heavier than air aircraft to the world.
Historically, Continental has been the engine of choice for an unimaginably large number of pilots and aircraft manufacturers. From the venerable Piper Cub of the 1930s, to the stunningly successful Cessna 150 in the 1950s and 60s, pilots have been flying behind Continental powerplants the world over, as student pilots then for thousands of hours afterward when flying for personal pleasure and business transportation.
Today, the Continental CD-300 is powering one of the most exciting new aircraft on the market, the totally new Diamond DA50 RG. Sipping Jet-A fuel at a leisurely pace this piston powerplant that AOPA’s Tom Horne describes as, “a massive engine,” provides the oomph required to get high and fast and go far in an absolutely gorgeous five seat aircraft.
Not to be outdone, Cirrus Aircraft recently announced it’s all new 2022 G6 SR series airplane is being powered by another of Continental’s forward-looking products. The Continental 550 series engines, producing more than 300 horsepower, are turning propellers that pull these sleek machines through the air lickety-split.
A leading engine manufacturer is about far more than just steel, aluminum, ball bearings, and fuel burn calculations. People are what make the engines work as much as they are the variable that makes the company thrive. The culture and day-to-day operations at Continental Aerospace Technologies prove that point well.
Led by Karen Hong, the first female President and CEO in Continental’s history, the drive to hire quality employees is augmented by a commitment to offer real value to those employees. Think of it as an enticement to stay with the company long-term while growing their potential and enriching their lives. Often in ways a prospective employee might not think likely, or even possible.
Four years into her tenure, Hong explains her desire to become a part of the proud history of the company she now leads, “I was inspired to apply because of Continental’s strong foundation, longevity in the marketplace, and the company’s vision to continuously innovate to be the first choice in general aviation power.” A sentiment that seems to be shared by others who have committed to a career with Continental.
Hong is not a pilot herself, although she has taken the opportunity to fly right seat on many business trips using Continental’s corporate aircraft. An experience she has enjoyed enough that she plans to pursue earning her private pilot certificate in the future.
Adrian Adams signed on as a production team member at Continental 11 years ago. Working as a machine operator and helper, he found an entry level position that provided for training on the job which allowed him to expand his professional horizons while doing work he found to be both satisfying and rewarding. Initially attracted to the company by its reputation for offering competitive pay and benefits, as well as its strength and longevity in the industry, Adrian’s career path may have become more than he dreamed possible during those early days as a trainee.
Today, more than a decade after coming on board, Adrian is a Process Leader/Team Leader, who manages a daily meeting of roughly 20 team members who are responsible for machining parts and pieces that are critical components employed in the build of Continental piston engines. His primary responsibility is to support his team members, verifying that their processes are capable of meeting Continental’s safety and production standards. As a product leader, Adrian leads conflict resolution when faced with adversity. Being able to pursue leadership training through opportunities provided by his employer have been a big part of what made his rise through the ranks possible. Adrian is a prime example of how Continental is committed to serving its employees, as much as those employees are committed to serving the company and its customers. When asked if he believes the work he does provides him with an opportunity to move up in the organization, Adrian answers simply enough, “Yes, it has.” Because in his experience that is exactly what has happened. He got his start in the industry through Continental as an entry level worker and has earned the respect of his fellow peers and supervisor. When it was time to nominate a new Process Leader, Adrian’s colleagues gave all their support to solidify him for the position. He’s been promoted with an increase in compensation as his skills have improved and his potential expanded.
He enjoys taking on a leadership role. One that allows him to support his team as they work together to accomplish their goals. And through that work he sets a practical example for the team members he leads that persistence, education, and experience can all lead to a more rewarding career at one of the leading engine manufacturers in the industry. That’s something to be proud of, for sure.
During those 11 years when Adrian was working his way up the ladder at Continental, Jeff Hunt was learning, growing, and moving up, too. Originally hired on as a Systems Engineer, Jeff recently upgraded to the position of Sustaining Engineering and Research and Development Director. But his path at Continental began many years before he ever filled out an application. Even if he wasn’t yet aware of it.
As a nine-year old boy Jeff had the chance to fly with a family friend who had access to a Piper Cub. A truly classic airplane that was famously powered by the equally classic Continental 65 horsepower, horizontally opposed, air-cooled, normally aspirated piston engine that taught thousands of pilots to fly.
Like so many young men and women who taste flight at an early age, or even dream of flight without actually experiencing it, Jeff knew from an early age that aviation in some form or fashion would be a part of his life. Getting the education that would open the door to a career at Continental Aerospace Technologies made a bigger difference than he’d ever dreamed, however. Not only did Jeff find a challenging career that gave him satisfaction and pleasure, he also discovered that Continental sponsors a flight training program for employees. That unexpected benefit made all the difference for Jeff, who used that program to train for and earn his private pilot certificate. He completed his training and passed his check-ride in 2015.
When asked what the appeal of an engineering position is for him, Jeff says, “It’s all about problem solving and completing projects.” Success in those two realms provides a real sense of accomplishment, as Jeff sees it. Which also lends the job a sense of permanence and practicality. “With the way the world is changing, it’s tough to say what the challenges of tomorrow will be, but there will always be challenges to solve.”
Spoken like a true engineer who has devoted his working life to creating better products for a company that has more than a Century of being at the leading edge of the market.
Of course, all work and no play runs the risk of leaving the impression that Jeff, and Adrian, and maybe even Karen lean a bit to the dull side. Nothing could be further from the truth.
These folks work in the field of general aviation after all. And they’re based adjacent to the Mobile Downtown Airport on the western shore of Mobile Bay. With such easy access to the airport, it is no mystery why Continental employees might avail themselves of the flying club located right in their back yard. The club provides great networking opportunities, lowers the cost of accessing aircraft considerably, and just might lead its members to a few undeniably positive life altering experiences. That was certainly the case for Jeff.
After earning his pilot certificate, one of Jeff’s first great adventures was to fly his girlfriend 80 or so miles to the East, to Destin, Florida. Their chariot was a Diamond DA20 C1, powered by a Continental engine, of course. While on that trip Jeff proposed. She said yes. Today they have two beautiful daughters, a great marriage, and a tremendous career to brag about at Continental Aerospace Technologies. Not to mention the privilege of being able to fly all over the Gulf Coast and beyond in a general aviation aircraft pretty much whenever their hearts get the urge to go.
We started out talking about Karen Hong, the CEO of Continental Aerospace Technologies. We will end with Karen Hong talking about you, the reader. Karen says, “If you can dream of the bigger picture and enjoy working in manufacturing and aviation, you should consider pursuing this line of fulfilling work.” In a time of need, when pilots, mechanics, and engineers are in short supply, Hong’s advice resonates. There is a bright future in the aerospace field for those who seek adventure, creative challenges, and amazing opportunities. This is the time. Make something happen.
