It never ceases to amaze how some people can take giant leaps of faith to pursue a career they truly believe in.
For Stephen Eli, that leap meant leaving behind a career with the German Air Force and travelling more than 16,000 kilometres to build a new life in Australia as an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME).
Stephen is one of 3 recipients of this year’s CASA AME scholarships. He says the recognition has made him feel ‘seen and encouraged’.
‘Building a career in a new country and adapting to a new culture has not always been easy,’ he explains. ‘That is why this recognition means so much to me. It reminds me that the dedication, sacrifices and determination behind the journey have been worthwhile.
‘When I look back at where it all began and where I am today, living and working in Australia, I feel that I have found the place where I truly belong.’
Stephen’s connection with aviation began in childhood, when his family moved from Germany to England for a few years. His father would often bring him a little aeroplane when he travelled, helping spark an interest that would stay with him.
Weekends spent watching aircraft land at London Heathrow Airport made an equally lasting impression.
‘We would spend weekends at Myrtle Avenue, which sits directly underneath the eastern approach flight path of London Heathrow Airport’s southern runway, watching aircraft land,’ he says.
‘I was fascinated by these incredible machines and always wondered how they worked. Looking back, those weekends were the beginning of a journey that would eventually shape my life.’
That early fascination led Stephen to the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), where he developed the discipline, focus and precision that would serve him throughout his aviation career. But his journey would take him well beyond military aviation, eventually bringing him to Australia to pursue a new chapter in aircraft maintenance.
Building a career from the ground up
Encouraged by friends already living in Sydney, Stephen arrived in Australia in 2019 after working in South-East Asia for the previous 4 years. He was determined to build on his aviation experience and establish himself in a new industry and country.
Gaining his CASA Part 66 B2 aircraft maintenance engineer licence earlier this year was a major milestone, but it came at a cost. He had to balance full-time work with the demands of study, often fitting exam preparation around long shifts and weekend work.
His workday could start at 6 am and sometimes continue to 9 pm, along with some weekend shifts. With CASA examinations scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there was little time to spare.
‘Many evenings involved coming home, putting my books on the table and studying until midnight before starting work again the following morning,’ he says.
It meant sacrificing much of his social life and maintaining a strict routine to keep his goal within reach.
‘I knew this was the path I had chosen, and I remained committed to seeing it through.’
Gaining his licence represented more than completing his studies. It gave him a recognised qualification and the opportunity to pursue new roles and continue developing his skills in aviation.
‘Looking back, I understand that achieving this goal required more than technical knowledge. It demanded perseverance, consistency, and a willingness to make sacrifices.’
From modifications to commercial aircraft
Since arriving in Australia, Stephen has worked across a range of aircraft and maintenance projects.
He’s contributed to 6 King Air aircraft modification projects as well as modifications to Bell 429 helicopters, supporting the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland Government frontline services.
‘These projects have been particularly meaningful because they have shown me how aircraft maintenance extends beyond the hangar,’ he says. ‘The work we do supports emergency services, law enforcement and the protection of our communities and borders.’
Another valuable experience was participating in C-check maintenance on a Saab 340 for Rex Airlines. Working alongside an experienced engineering team gave him further exposure to heavy maintenance and helped him understand how different areas of aircraft maintenance complement one another.
Now at Jetstar, Stephen maintains Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. His work has included phase inspections and heavy maintenance, inspecting and testing flight control, autopilot, navigation and fire-extinguishing systems and conducting aircraft database updates.
Across these different roles, one aspect of the job continues to stand out: troubleshooting.
Stephen enjoys tracing a fault to its source and understanding why it has occurred, rather than simply replacing a component.
‘One of the more memorable experiences in my career was contributing to a major aircraft modification project for a law enforcement agency,’ he says.
‘It reminded me that my work was about much more than completing a job. I felt a genuine sense of pride knowing that my contribution supported the people who protect our communities and keep our families safe.’
Experiences such as these give Stephen’s career a deeper purpose that allows him to combine his passion for aviation with meaningful service to the country. It is what makes aircraft maintenance so rewarding: knowing that the work can make a real difference beyond the hangar.
Stephen says the satisfaction comes from understanding the problem and knowing the work has been completed correctly.
‘Diligence, logical troubleshooting and integrity are essential,’ he says. ‘Just as important are humility, reliability and being part of a cohesive team, because in aviation shared ownership is what keeps people safe.’
The next step
Receiving the CASA AME scholarship is another milestone in Stephen’s journey, helping him work towards his first aircraft type rating within the Airbus range.
Having recently gained his B2 licence, he wants to deepen his avionics and complex electrical skills and continue building his experience on commercial aircraft.
His advice to anyone considering aircraft maintenance is straightforward: remain curious, stay humble and do not be afraid to ask questions.
‘Find people who are willing to invest their time and knowledge in you and be open to learning from them,’ he says. ‘The right mentor can make a real difference, not only in your technical development but also in how you see your own potential.’
He also encourages aspiring engineers to develop good documentation habits early and be patient with their progress. Aircraft maintenance takes time, and each challenge offers an opportunity to learn.
That process is far from over for Stephen. His childhood fascination with aircraft has become a career built on practical skills, persistence and a commitment to understanding how things work.
‘Aviation is more than a career to me. It is a lifelong passion, a constant journey of discovery, and an opportunity to keep learning, contributing and inspiring the next generation.’
