Finding Inspiration in Community
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) Aviation Maintenance Technician Lawrence (Larry) Hanna discusses his commitment to his career and to the Chicago community.
Originally published by American Airlines
I’m a product of the airline industry. In fact, I usually tell people my love for aviation started at birth — it’s in my genetics. While my actual career started at a small airline cleaning aircraft, I worked hard, on the job and within the community, to gain the experience and skills needed to become a certified aviation maintenance technician (AMT) — just like my dad.
Not only was my father an AMT for nearly 40 years, he received his airframe and powerplant (A&P) license from an industry pioneer, Cornelius Coffey, an incredibly skilled mechanic and pilot who worked hard to open new doors in the aviation world for Black members of the Chicago community. My dad looked up to Cornelius for both his passion for aviation and his dedication to serving and advocating for others. His and my father’s passionate outlooks and devotion to educating a new generation of aviators led me to this career and inspired me to continue their legacies as faithful community leaders.
To this day, I spend my nights working closely on our aircraft, focusing on every detail involved in aircraft safety and airworthiness to make sure our planes are always safe and ready to fly our customers each morning. When I’m not at work, I keep a strong focus on my family and spending time with the kids I mentor in our neighborhood.
“The young people I mentor give me hope for an even brighter future for our community”
I’ve worked at various airlines in different roles throughout my nearly 35 years in aviation, but it’s the young people I mentor here in Chicago that give me the most satisfaction and hope for an even brighter future for our community and this airline. I push the importance of a positive outlook and paying it forward because had it not been for the mentoring and constant encouragement I received as a young man, my path may have been entirely different. I’m grateful it was not.
So, from all of us here at American, we’re glad you’re here. Thanks for flying with us today.
Lawrence (Larry) Hanna
Aviation Maintenance Technician
Chicago (ORD)
