Ashley Haase

Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Ashley Haase

The sky’s the limit for this Aviation grad

Thursday, July 25, 2024 | By: Britten, Casey

Like most people who work in aviation, Ashley Haase is all in.

“Aviation is a passion job,” she says. “People love working in this industry. I love working in this industry.”

Growing up, she recalls watching World War II documentaries and movies with her dad, developing a deep interest in the airplanes of that era. When she was a student in the Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Mechanics program at Fox Valley Technical College, she decided she wanted to work on WWII aircraft with the dream of becoming a modern-day Rosie the Riveter.

“I am grateful to be able to say that that dream came true!” Ashley says. “I’ve worked on everything from various Corsairs, P-51 Mustangs, F4F Wildcat, F8F Bearcat, Stearman, AT-6 Texans, tons of C-47s, and converted C-47s to modern-day flying machines called BT-67s. It’s surreal to work on aircraft that I love so much, in an industry that I love, and around people who also have a passion for aviation.”

Ashley graduated from FVTC in 2017 with dual degrees in Aircraft Electronics and Airframe & Powerplant Mechanics, and she is now the Maintenance Apprentice Training Instructor at Air Wisconsin Airlines, where she oversees the apprentice program.

We talked to Ashley recently and talked about aviation, her job and how Fox Valley Tech helped her get her start.

Tell us about your role.

I manage our mechanic apprentice program. Air Wisconsin operates three maintenance bases—one in Appleton, one in Milwaukee, and one in Dayton, Ohio—and we train 20 students that are going to school to become aircraft mechanics. Those who come to the Appleton location are Fox Valley Tech students. All apprentices are mentored by our mechanics and get real-world experience on our aircraft until they get their A&P certificates and graduate from the program. Then they're basically guaranteed a full-time position with us. It’s incredibly exciting because I get to help the next generation of aviators.

What is the best part of your job?

I love mentoring the apprentices and helping them feel comfortable and excited about their future. It helps because I was one of them once, so it’s exciting to see them start their careers. People love working in this industry, and I just really love seeing the growth and passion.

Why did you choose Fox Valley Technical College?

I originally chose Fox Valley Technical College for its Aeronautics-Pilot Training program. The summer before I would have started flight school, I was volunteering at EAA’s Kermit Weeks maintenance hangar. I loved getting to work on the airplanes alongside the mechanics, some of whom were FVTC A&P graduates. They really mentored me, and I built great relationships with them. One day I was working on a WWII drone, and they brought me a picture of Marilyn Monroe working on the same drone; she had been a parachute rigger for them. And they're like, “See, women can be mechanics, too, and you can go to school right in town here at Fox Valley Tech and become an A&P mechanic.”

So I did it. After falling in love with working on airplanes and having such great mentors, I decided to change programs and I got the one spot that had opened up. I'm really happy with the change in direction because it was a much better fit for me as a person.

What did you enjoy most about FVTC?

The instructors are incredible. I still have great relationships with them; I love seeing them. They had great stories, and they have so much passion for what they do. I got hands-on experience and worked in smaller groups. If I ever had questions, they were always available to help you; every student was heard. It really felt more like a mentorship than instruction.

What advice would you give someone interested in the aviation industry?

To do it! If you want to be in an industry where everyone helps each other and provides opportunities for growth, you can really take your dreams and go anywhere. Aviation is an industry where everyone supports one another. And if you want to grow, you can make it happen. This industry is unlike anything I've ever been part of. It’s so big, but it's so small—everyone is so connected. It’s a great way to kick off your career because you never know where it's going to take you.

What’s it like working as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field?

My first full-time job as an A&P was at Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, where I was the first female working as a mechanic on the floor. Then when I joined Air Wisconsin, I was the first female duty manager. Being the first means that you have to prove yourself; unfortunately, that’s part of it. But you just remember that you deserve to be there. You were brought on for a reason, and that whatever it is that you experienced, you are paving the way for those next women within the field. You’ve just got to break down those barriers, and it’s worth it. I'm very grateful that I've been able to do that.

Air Wisconsin & FVTC Grads

If you’re fascinated by airplanes, there are many career options in the aviation industry beyond being a pilot or mechanic. You don’t need to be an aviator to work in aviation.

“There’s so much you can do in aviation,” says Ashley. “At Air Wisconsin, we’ve hired FVTC graduates to work as flight attendants, in finance, human resources, crew scheduling, maintenance, purchasing, flight administration. If you think of it, you can do it in aviation.”