Meet Savanah Ritch, she’s an Aircraft Detailer for Aerowood Aviation. She is also a student of flight as she intents to get her pilot’s license. We sat down with Savanah to learn about life as an Aircraft Detailer. Being an aircraft detailer consists of cleaning and washing the aircraft from dirt, bugs and oily liquids. Cleaning both inside and outside of the aircraft and ensuring that each airplane is clean, tidy, and sanitized for takeoff. It can be a dirty job at times but it is rewarding. Cleaning the aircraft once a month is ideal but most aircraft is cleaned more frequently as needed.
Born in Wilmington, NC, her passion for aviation began during her middle school years. Surprisingly her grandfather who at the time she did not know had a pilot’s license, as well as a plane, invited her out for a day at the beach. Unbeknownst to her she thought they would be driving. Surprisingly her grandfather escorted her by way of his personal plane. Every since that initial flight she states, “I knew I wanted to be in an airplane”.
“My grandfather is the reason for the spark of interest that I have for being a pilot,” says Savanah. Becoming a pilot involves having a mindset that won’t take no for an answer, having a good support team, overcoming your doubts and fears, and lastly, money. Savanah states that her ultimate goal is to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
When you work with individuals who also have a passion for flight, you soon find out that flying is contagious. A simple way to get started is by taking the time to visit airshows, fly-ins, or aviation community events, you will be surrounded by a group of people who are welcoming, kind, caring, and who generally want to help you. The main reason a person doesn’t follow their dreams at times is because they don’t know where to start and it gets overwhelming.
The experiences we have as children helps mold our minds to the endless possibilities and opportunities that life presents us. It doesn’t matter how you start, what matters is that you continue to find the joy that you felt as a child into adulthood.