Women’s History Month Spotlight: Omo Uduophori

In honor of Women's History Month, Bristow is shining a spotlight on the women who make Bristow soar. This interview features Engineer Omo Uduophori from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

What is your current role and what are you working on right now?

I am an Avionics Engineer, assigned to the Bell 412 and AW139 aircraft. I am also able to work on AW189s, S-76C++s and S-76Ds.

What is a recent success you're particularly proud of?

I recently had a particularly challenging issue while repairing an aircraft. I worked through the issue with the aid of the aircraft maintenance manual, fault isolation procedure and wiring manual. I was able to troubleshoot effectively and replaced defective components and calibrated the new component. Then I performed a functional check to ensure the issue was corrected. The aircraft is now back in the air, flying safely.

What in your background prepared you for this assignment?

I’ve always had a natural curiosity about how things work, and began tinkering with electrical appliances from a young age. I began purchasing electrical components – resistors, capacitors, transistors, etc. – to make electrical circuits. I got my formal education at The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria and earned a diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering- Avionics. My license is from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

What are some challenges you’ve faced in your career? How did you overcome them?

Working in a male dominated environment has its own unique challenges. Generally, in this part of the world, people feel there are some trades meant for men only, and women should not be in that trade. I try to make a difference in my career and help fellow women who may shy away from this trade due to tradition. Men and women can be successful in engineering. I’ve conquered stereotypes with perseverance and hard work. The men I work with accept me and value me as a teammate, so things are changing.

Who inspires you?

The technical team – they inspire me with their approach to each task. They’ve given me advice on being persistent and always striving for excellence. They inspire me by examples because I observe and learn from them. They’ve taught me to troubleshoot problems and clear snags efficiently while following procedures. They have also shown me the importance of staying abreast of information to keep helicopters serviceable.

What advice do you have for women just beginning their career?

Work hard and be persistent in your efforts to prove your worth. Strive for excellence in whatever you do.

What is unique about your journey to your current role?

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love cooking African dishes, especially jollof rice and fried rice. I also love reading inspirational books, especially aviation-related books.