LIFT Academy is thrilled to welcome Sean Gallinat as the new Director of Maintenance at the Indianapolis LIFT Academy Hangar. With over three decades of experience and a lifelong passion for aviation, Sean is a valuable addition to the team.

Sean’s Journey into Aviation

Sean’s fascination with aviation began at a young age, sparked by trips with his parents to watch airplanes at the local airport. This early love for aviation led him to enroll in aviation shop classes during high school, during which he realized his future lay in this field.

Taking Off into a Career in Aviation Maintenance

Sean’s professional journey started in 1992 as an aircraft technician. Over the years, he worked for several regional carriers and a major airline before joining Chautauqua Airlines in 2003 as a technician at CMH (Columbus, OH). His strong leadership and technical expertise quickly propelled him into more advanced roles, ultimately landing him a position as Director of Engineering for Republic Airways. In June 2024, Sean transitioned to LIFT Academy as Director of Maintenance.

For Sean, the people in the aviation community make his career truly rewarding. “I’ve been fortunate to make some great friends within the community and work with some of the same individuals throughout my 30+ year career. I also find the day-to-day challenges rewarding. Every day brings new challenges, and working to overcome those challenges is very fulfilling.”

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

From technician to leader, Sean has been afforded many opportunities to elevate his career. “Continuing to learn and grow from a technician on the floor to a people leader is one area I’m proud of. I enjoy building a team and watching them develop. At Republic Airways, achieving an approved Reliability Program and the work done with data analytics is something I’m very proud of,” he shared.

Advice for Other Aviation Technicians

Sean advises those starting their careers in aviation maintenance to “never stop learning and be curious.” His dedication to lifelong learning has been a key driver of his success, and he encourages others to remain inquisitive and open to new opportunities.

LIFT Academy is excited to have Sean leading the maintenance team, especially as the academy continues to grow and set new standards in flight training and aviation maintenance. The team looks forward to the positive impact he will make at LIFT Academy.

Source: LIFT Academy