AOG Life: Behind the Scenes with Justin Vaughn

Meet Justin “JV” Vaughn, Stevens Aerospace’s go-to AOG technician—based out of Tupelo, Mississippi (TUP)—whose journey from restaurant waiter and jack-of-all-trades to aviation life-saver is nothing short of inspiring. In just 2 years and 7 months with Stevens, JV has carved out a reputation for tackling impossible fixes, embracing the wake-up calls at all hours, and finding creative solutions that keep aircraft—and customers—flying.

From “Make-It-Or-Break-It” to A&P Certification

JV’s path into aviation didn’t start in a classroom. For years, he waited tables at Mexican restaurants, moonlighted as the neighborhood handyman, and ran various side hustles. But a turning point cam after a talk with a family friend planted a seed: “Are you good with your hands? Ever thought about becoming an aircraft tech?” That question led JV to apply—almost on a whim—to Hallmark University’s aircraft maintenance program.

“Everyone said I’d flunk out or never make it,” JV recalls with a grin.
“No one believed in me, so out of spite I worked Uber nights, charged electric scooters, and hustled every spare hour—barely sleeping—until I not only completed the program but graduated on the Dean’s List.”

Today, he proudly wears his A&P certification and has rescued countless aircraft from unexpected Aircraft On Ground (AOG) crises.

From Hustle to AOG

After graduation, JV found work at a small maintenance shop—what his now coworker Bob Townsend jokingly called “the Wild West.” When Bob moved to Stevens, he raved about the nonstop excitement of AOG response. JV started applying and eventually, thanks to Bob’s recommendation, Stevens gave him a shot. He’s been proving his worth daily ever since.

“What I love most is the unpredictability,” JV says.
“Every call challenges me to think on my feet—new routes, new problems, new people. It keeps my brain sharp and the job exciting. I’m never just going through the motions.”

A Day (or Two) in the Life of an AOG Tech

In JV’s world, there’s no such thing as a “normal” day—but if you had to describe one, it might look like this:

1. The Alert: A text or email from dispatch with a location, aircraft make/model, and problem description (or sometimes just “AOG – go!”). JV usually grins, exclaims “HECK YEAH,” then jumps in his truck and gives the customer an ETA.

2. Pre-Flight Prep: Even before pulling out at 6 a.m. (or 3 a.m.), his toolkit is staged: sealed suitcases, spares, paperwork organized on Corridor software, and a fully fueled AOG support rig waiting outside.

3. On-Site Hustle: Once on scene, JV does a quick pre-inspection, digs into the tech data to identify any special tools or parts, then orders everything needed. 

The Fix: Whether it’s performing a Challenger 91.411/413, servicing O2, troubleshooting a stubborn avionics unit, JV rarely needs backup. But rushing is never an option:

“When lives and my career are on the line, there’s no room for shortcuts,” he emphasizes.
His guiding principle is clear: quality ensures safety, and efficiency naturally follows once everything is executed with precision.

Pressure, Pay, and Pure Adrenaline

“The pressure is what I’m after,” JV confesses.
“Some say I’m a glutton for punishment, but for me it’s a game. Plotting parts arrival, plotting hotels (no bed-bug rumors, please!), juggling three events at once—it’s strategy. Plus, the paycheck is the best I’ve ever had.”

He admits the hardest part is learning to say “no” when he’s buried under complex events—he’s one guy, and shortcuts aren’t an option. Still, the randomness keeps him hooked: no two calls are the same, and the camaraderie among AOG techs makes the map feel smaller. A five-hour drive? No big deal anymore.

MacGyver Moments & War Stories

When a custom tool is needed—like grinding a closed-end crow’s foot to fit a Beechjet starter-generator bolt—JV is the technician who figures it out. Short on test leads? He improvises safe, effective wiring solutions to verify circuits. He’s rewired a company vehicle, creatively solved access challenges, and helped colleagues adopt tools like OneDrive to improve access to technical manuals in the field.

His most memorable AOG story:

“I was at MSY at 2:00 AM on a hot summer night, working on a 560 XL that required replacing a fuel canister. The manual says no need to drain the fuel—just pop the canister out, and push in a little if fuel seeps out. THAT'S WRONG! Fuel poured into my bucket, down my arm, and in my face.

Unfortunately, an O-ring failure caused fuel to spill more extensively than expected, resulting in significant exposure to Jet A fuel. I promptly followed safety protocols: securing spill kits, coordinating fuel disposal with the FBO, and contacting the manufacturer for guidance. After reseating the canister correctly, I verified all system functions.

The key lesson? Drain the system first—always."

What Makes It Worth It for JV

JV’s day-to-day isn’t all adrenaline and chaos — sometimes it’s early-2000s rap blasting through the speakers, Project Pat or Do or Die. 

What keeps him going? The simple calls—like tire changes or avionics resets—give a break from the intense stuff, but it’s the camaraderie with other techs across the country that really sticks with him.

At the end of the day, what makes it all worth it is solving tough problems, having the freedom to choose his next move, and knowing he’s keeping planes flying safely. And yeah, the paycheck helps too.

Advice for Future AOG Techs

“Only take on this career if you thrive in fast-paced, unpredictable situations,” JV cautions.
"You need strong organizational skills, the ability to operate on limited sleep, and a genuine passion for problem-solving. You’ll spend hours on the road, manage every part and tool yourself, work directly with customers, and stay ready around the clock. If adapting on the fly or running on just a few hours of sleep isn’t your thing, this isn’t the career for you.

But if you love tackling challenges, earning well, and having the freedom to run your own show on the road, this is hands down one of the best jobs in aviation.”

On the road, in the air, through challenging weather or busy ramps—Justin Vaughn thrives. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a top-tier AOG technician shows what grit, creativity, and determination can achieve. Whether he’s racing to remote locations like Bainbridge, GA, or navigating the busy ramps at Teterboro, NJ, JV reminds us that sometimes the best career paths are the ones you never expected.