by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 19/97) - A certain amount of glamor comes with the job of flying aircraft, but any pilot knows that his safety and that of his passengers are the result of meticulous work behind the scenes.

That work is performed by engineers like David Reid. Responsibility for keeping helicopters, which have the glide capabilities of a stone, in the air is not a light burden to bear.

As Reid noted, "You're travelling at 2,000 feet -- it's not like a car, where you can just roll to a stop.

"An old engineer once told me 'If you don't have an ulcer by the time you're 30, you aren't doing your job properly.'"

"I worry all the time," he admitted.

Rigorous preventative maintenance programs are the key to preventing mishaps, explained the Great Slave Helicopters engineer.

"Every so many hours and calendar days you do maintenance. We also have a 100-hour inspection where we check everything from nose to tail, top to bottom," said Reid.

All aircraft are also inspected before and after each flight.

To be doubly sure of work on components critical to engine performance, flight controls are "dualled" -- another engineer checks to make sure the work is done properly.

With the rigorous maintenance schedules, ongoing replacement of parts, Reid said aircraft have virtually unlimited working lives.

Keeping open the lines of communication between pilots and engineers is pivotal to the effective operation of any aircraft.

That's not always easy. As Reid explained, "It's a love-hate relationship," with the aircraft being the third element of the triangle binding both groups.

The relationship is more love than hate these days. "I've worked for a lot of different companies, but Great Slave pilots are among the best to deal with," he said.

Reid's career began 17 years ago, after he successfully completed the four-year training program and Department of Transport certification exams required of all engineers.

The decision to pursue an engineering career was an easy one for the Cochrane, Alta., native. "I'm a second-generation engineer," he said. "It's in my blood."

Reid began his career in Fort Smith with Buffalo Air. Most of his time since has been spent in the North, much of it in remote exploration camps.

"This is a rare thing, for me to be in the hangar, because I make my money out in the field."

Reid's seen more of the North than most people who have been here all their lives.

That's one of the big attractions for aircraft pilots and engineers.

"I've been to places that people only read about in National Geographic -- and I get paid for it!" he said.